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מֹתֶן

𐤌𐤕𐤍

môthen

H4975 noun

SILEX Entry

Root uncertain to be slender (uncertain), waist, loins, flank

Definition

Anatomically, the region of the body encompassing the loins, hips, or lower back, especially the area around the waist or flanks. Used primarily in the plural to refer to the loins, particularly as the source of physical strength, procreative capacity (as in descendants issuing from the loins), or the place for girding with a belt or armor. The word can also refer figuratively to the seat of physical vigor, procreative potency, or readiness for action.

Semantic Range

loins, waist, hips, region about the lower back and hips, source of physical strength, seat of procreative power, figurative for vigor, seat of readiness or preparedness

Root / Etymology

Root is uncertain. Traditional lexicography linked it to an unused root meaning 'to be slender', but there is no direct attestation of such a root in biblical Hebrew. Cognates in other Semitic languages are not clearly attested, and etymology remains obscure.

Historical & Contextual Notes

מֹתֶן appears almost exclusively in the plural (מוֹתְנַיִם, motnayim) and designates the anatomical region between the ribs and the hips, often referred to in idioms about strength, fertility, or preparedness. It commonly appears in contexts where one girds the loins in preparation for activity, travel, or battle and in genealogical expressions indicating descent (e.g., 'came out of the loins of'). The expression 'girding one's loins' was a metaphor for being ready for action or hardship. The metaphorical uses contrast with related terms for reproductive organs (e.g., יָרֵךְ yarekh, which more commonly emphasizes the thigh or upper leg as in covenant-making). While some translations use 'waist' or 'hips', the idiomatic and physiological implications in biblical Hebrew often extend beyond mere physical description to encompass cultural associations of strength, virility, preparedness, or lineage. Usage remained broadly consistent throughout Israelite history, from narrative to poetic contexts, and into Second Temple writings. Later translations sometimes rendered מֹתֶן with terms like 'side', 'hip', or 'loins', but the full range, especially regarding descent, may be obscured in such translations.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from an unused root meaning to be slender; properly, the waist or small of the back; only in plural the loins; [phrase] greyhound, loins, side.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

מתן (m-t-n) — waist, loins, hips, flank; (traditionally) slenderness

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H4981 מִתְנִי the Mithnite
H574 אֵמְתָּנִי powerfully built

Word Forms

19 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H4975-05 מָתְנַ֧יִם matenayim HNcmda loins loins 9
H4975-06 מָתְנָי/ו֙ matenayv HNcmdc/Sp3ms his loins his loins 7
H4975-01 בְּ/מָתְנָ֑י/ו bematenayv HR/Ncmdc/Sp3ms on his loins in his loins 6
H4975-10 מָתְנֶ֗י/ךָ mateneykha HNcmdc/Sp2ms your loins your loins 6
H4975-02 בְּ/מָתְנֵי/הֶ֜ם bemateneyhem HR/Ncmdc/Sp3mp on their loins in their loins 3
H4975-13 מִ/מָּתְנֵ֥י mimateney HR/Ncmdc than the loins from the loins of 2
H4975-04 מָתְנַ/י֙ matenay HNcmdc/Sp1cs my loins my loins 2
H4975-09 מָתְנֵי/הֶ֑ם mateneyhem HNcmdc/Sp3mp their loins their loins 1
H4975-19 בְ/מָתְנֵֽי/נוּ vemateneynu HR/Ncmdc/Sp1cp upon our loins in our loins 1
H4975-18 בְ/מָתְנָ֑י/ו vematenayv HR/Ncmdc/Sp3ms in his loins in his loins 1

Occurrences in Scripture

47 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H4975-01 Genesis 37:34 בְּ/מָתְנָ֑י/ו bematenayv HR/Ncmdc/Sp3ms on his loins in his loins
H4975-11 Exodus 12:11 מָתְנֵי/כֶ֣ם mateneykhem HNcmdc/Sp2mp your loins your loins
H4975-12 Exodus 28:42 מִ/מָּתְנַ֥יִם mimatenayim HR/Ncmda from the loins loins
H4975-05 Deuteronomy 33:11 מָתְנַ֧יִם matenayim HNcmda loins loins
H4975-06 2 Samuel 20:8 מָתְנָי/ו֙ matenayv HNcmdc/Sp3ms his loins his loins
H4975-01 1 Kings 2:5 בְּ/מָתְנָ֔י/ו bematenayv HR/Ncmdc/Sp3ms around his waist in his loins
H4975-13 1 Kings 12:10 מִ/מָּתְנֵ֥י mimateney HR/Ncmdc than the loins of from the loins of
H4975-06 1 Kings 18:46 מָתְנָ֑י/ו matenayv HNcmdc/Sp3ms his loins his loins
H4975-03 1 Kings 20:31 בְּ/מָתְנֵ֜י/נוּ bemateneynu HR/Ncmdc/Sp1cp on our loins in our loins
H4975-02 1 Kings 20:32 בְּ/מָתְנֵי/הֶ֜ם bemateneyhem HR/Ncmdc/Sp3mp on their loins in their loins
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