The Hebrew word nâsheh, represented by H5384, is a highly specific term for that which is rheumatic or crippled. Its definition, "which shrank," is derived from the sense of failure. It appears 2 times across 1 unique verses, tied exclusively to the account of Jacob wrestling with a divine being.
The sole use of H5384 is found in the narrative explaining a dietary custom of the Israelites. After Jacob wrestled with a man, his thigh was touched, causing a permanent injury. The verse states that the children of Israel do not eat "the sinew which shrank" because this divine being "touched the hollow of Jacob's thigh in the sinew that shrank" Genesis 32:32. This word directly describes the physical after-effect of Jacob's supernatural encounter.
Several related words provide context for this unique event:
- H1517 gîyd (sinew): This word identifies the specific body part that was affected. It is used in direct connection with H5384 to specify the "sinew which shrank" Genesis 32:32. Elsewhere, it refers to anatomical tendons or sinews that provide structure Job 10:11.
- H5060 nâgaʻ (to touch): This is the action that caused the sinew to shrink. The verse states that the being touched the hollow of Jacob's thigh Genesis 32:32. This word can denote a simple touch, but also a powerful strike or a divine contact with lasting effects (Isaiah 53:4, Jeremiah 1:9).
- H5383 nâshâh (to lend or borrow on security or interest): This is the primitive root from which H5384 is derived, linking the concept of shrinking to a sense of failure, much like a debt. This word is used in contexts of being a creditor or lending on usury (Exodus 22:25, Nehemiah 5:7).
The theological weight of H5384 is tied entirely to its singular context:
- A Physical Memorial: The "shrank" sinew serves as a permanent physical mark on Jacob, a reminder of his struggle and subsequent blessing. The resulting limp was an enduring sign of his encounter.
- The Power of a Divine Touch: The event demonstrates that contact with the divine can have profound and lasting physical consequences. The touch was not merely a tap, but a transformative strike that left a part of Jacob crippled or failed Genesis 32:32.
- Basis for a National Custom: A personal, physical injury to the patriarch Jacob becomes the explicit reason for a national dietary custom for "the children of Israel," linking a historical event to ongoing communal practice Genesis 32:32.
In summary, H5384 is a rare and precise word that captures the physical result of Jacob's wrestling match. It is not just a medical term for an injury but a theological one, describing a physical state that serves as a permanent memorial of a divine encounter. Its meaning is inseparable from this one pivotal event in the history of Israel, which marked both its patriarch and its national customs forever.
TRV