The Hebrew word gîyd, represented by H1517, refers to a sinew or tendon. Based on its root, it suggests something that compresses or binds. It appears 7 times across 6 unique verses, used both literally to describe anatomy and figuratively to represent unyielding strength or stubbornness.
In biblical narratives, H1517 is used to illustrate God's role in the formation of life. Job describes his creation as being clothed with skin and flesh and "fenced" with bones and sinews Job 10:11. Similarly, in the vision of the valley of dry bones, the LORD promises to lay sinews upon the bones as a step in their restoration to life (Ezekiel 37:6, Ezekiel 37:8). The term is also the basis for a specific dietary law for the children of Israel, who do not eat the sinew on the thigh in remembrance of Jacob's wrestling encounter Genesis 32:32. Figuratively, it is used to describe Israel's obstinance, whose neck is called an "iron sinew" Isaiah 48:4.
Several related words are used alongside H1517 to describe the body's structure or to provide metaphorical context:
- H6203 ʻôreph (the nape or back of the neck): This word is paired with H1517 in a powerful metaphor for stubbornness, where Israel's neck is described as an "iron sinew" Isaiah 48:4.
- H1320 bâsâr (flesh; by extension, body, person): Flesh is consistently mentioned with sinews as a core component of the body, both in God's initial creation of man and in the miraculous reanimation of the dry bones (Job 10:11, Ezekiel 37:6, Ezekiel 37:8).
- H6106 ʻetsem (a bone; by extension, the body): As the framework of the body, bones are described as being "fenced" together by sinews, highlighting the sinew's role in providing structure and connection Job 10:11.
- H5785 ʻôwr (skin; by implication, hide, leather): Skin is the outer covering laid over the flesh and sinews, completing the physical form in the descriptions of creation and restoration (Job 10:11, Ezekiel 37:6).
The theological and figurative weight of H1517 is demonstrated in several key themes:
- Divine Creation and Restoration: Sinews represent a fundamental part of God's handiwork in forming a living being. They are essential in Job's description of his own creation and in the LORD's power to restore life to the dead in Ezekiel's vision (Job 10:11, Ezekiel 37:6).
- Symbol of Inflexibility: In Isaiah, the "iron sinew" becomes a metaphor for spiritual hardness and rebellion. It powerfully illustrates an unbending and obstinate will that refuses to submit to God Isaiah 48:4.
- Covenantal Remembrance: The prohibition against eating a specific sinew serves as a perpetual reminder for the people of Israel of their forefather Jacob's transformative struggle with a divine being, embedding a historical event into daily life Genesis 32:32.
In summary, H1517 is a specific anatomical term that carries significant meaning. It functions as a literal building block in God's creation, a powerful metaphor for rebellious stubbornness, and the focal point of a lasting ritual practice. The word gîyd shows how the physical components of the body are used in Scripture to teach lessons about God's power, human nature, and historical identity.
TRV