(Aramaic) corresponding to יְרֵכָה; a thigh; thigh.
Transliteration:yarkâʼ
Pronunciation:yar-kaw'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Aramaic term יַרְכָא (yarkâʼ), Strong's number `{{H3410}}`, corresponds directly to the Hebrew יְרֵכָה (yᵉrēḵâ), Strong's number `{{H3409}}`. Its fundamental meaning is "thigh," referring to the anatomical region of the upper leg. In ancient Semitic cultures, the thigh, or the area of the loins, could carry symbolic weight beyond mere anatomy, often associated with strength, the source of progeny, or the place upon which a sword was worn, signifying power or authority. However, for this specific Aramaic term, its semantic range is quite narrow, primarily functioning as a literal descriptor of a body part.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The Aramaic word יַרְכָא (yarkâʼ) appears only once in the biblical text, specifically in the Book of Daniel:
* **[[Daniel 2:32]]**: "This image's head was of fine gold, its breast and its arms of silver, its belly and its thighs of bronze."
In this sole occurrence, יַרְכָא (yarkâʼ) is used in a purely descriptive manner within Nebuchadnezzar's dream of the great statue. The "thighs" (יַרְכָה) are depicted as being made of bronze, forming a part of the prophetic image that symbolizes successive world empires. The bronze section of the statue is generally understood by scholars to represent the third kingdom, which is historically identified with the Greek (or Grecian) Empire. The use of "thighs" here is literal, describing the mid-to-lower section of the statue's torso, distinguishing it from the "belly" immediately above and the "legs" below. There is no discernible metaphorical or symbolic layer to the term itself in this context; its significance derives from the material it is made of and its place within the sequence of empires.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most significant related word is its Hebrew cognate, יְרֵכָה (yᵉrēḵâ), Strong's number `{{H3409}}`. While both terms denote "thigh," the Hebrew יְרֵכָה (yᵉrēḵâ) possesses a broader semantic and theological range in the Old Testament. For example, it can refer to the "side" or "flank" of a building or a person, or even the "innermost part." Crucially, in Hebrew thought, the "thigh" or "loins" often served as a metonym for the source of progeny (e.g., [[Genesis 46:26]], [[Exodus 1:5]]) or as the place where one swore an oath by placing a hand under the thigh (e.g., [[Genesis 24:2]], [[Genesis 47:29]]), signifying a solemn and binding covenant. The Aramaic יַרְכָא (yarkâʼ) in [[Daniel 2:32]] does not carry these additional connotations.
Other related concepts include the broader vocabulary of anatomical terms used in prophetic visions, such as those found in Daniel and Ezekiel, where specific body parts of symbolic figures or creatures contribute to the overall prophetic message. The concept of a statue composed of different metals, each representing a distinct kingdom, is also a key contextual element.
### Theological Significance
Given its single occurrence in a descriptive capacity, the theological significance of יַרְכָא (yarkâʼ) itself is limited and primarily derivative. It functions as a component within the larger theological framework of Daniel 2, which outlines God's sovereign control over human history and the succession of world empires. The "bronze thighs" represent the third kingdom, generally understood as the Greek Empire, known for its military strength and widespread influence.
The significance lies not in the "thighs" as a body part, but in the *material* (bronze) and its position in the sequence of metals (gold, silver, bronze, iron/clay). Bronze signifies a kingdom that, while powerful, is inferior to the preceding ones. The theological message is one of progressive decline in the quality of human rule, culminating in the fragmented kingdom represented by iron and clay, which will ultimately be shattered by the "stone cut without human hands" (Christ's eternal kingdom). Thus, יַרְכָא (yarkâʼ) contributes to the detailed imagery that underscores God's prophetic revelation concerning the rise and fall of earthly powers leading to the establishment of His everlasting kingdom.
### Summary
The Aramaic word יַרְכָא (yarkâʼ), Strong's number `{{H3410}}`, literally means "thigh" and is the Aramaic equivalent of the Hebrew יְרֵכָה (yᵉrēḵâ), Strong's number `{{H3409}}`. Its sole biblical occurrence is in [[Daniel 2:32]], where it describes the bronze "thighs" of the statue in Nebuchadnezzar's dream. In this context, it serves as a purely anatomical descriptor, contributing to the detailed prophetic imagery of successive world empires. Unlike its Hebrew cognate, which often carries broader symbolic weight related to progeny or oaths, יַרְכָא (yarkâʼ) in Daniel 2 is significant primarily for the material it represents (bronze, symbolizing the Greek Empire) and its role in illustrating the divinely ordained sequence and ultimate overthrow of human kingdoms by God's eternal dominion.
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