The Hebrew word shôbel, represented by H7640, is used to denote a leg. Its base definition suggests a connection to flowing or trailing, as in a lady's train. This word is exceedingly rare, appearing only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the entire Bible.
The single appearance of H7640 occurs in a prophecy of judgment in Isaiah 47:2. In this verse, a figure of pride and luxury is commanded to perform humbling acts of servitude: "Take the millstones, and grind meal: uncover thy locks, make bare the leg, uncover the thigh, pass over the rivers." The act of making the leg bare is a symbol of disgrace and the loss of noble status, forcing the figure into the demeaning position of a common laborer wading through water.
The context of this single verse links H7640 to several other words that emphasize humiliation and exposure:
- H2834 châsaph (make bare): This is the verb used directly with leg in Isaiah 47:2. It means to strip off or make naked, often in disgrace. It is also used to describe captives being led away with their buttocks uncovered Isaiah 20:4.
- H1540 gâlâh (uncover): This primitive root means to denude, especially in a disgraceful sense. In the same verse, it is used to command the uncovering of locks and the thigh, reinforcing the theme of shame and exposure Isaiah 47:2.
- H7785 shôwq (thigh): This word is used in parallel with leg in Isaiah 47:2, creating a fuller picture of the commanded exposure. It can also refer to the shoulder or the lower leg.
The theological significance of H7640 is derived entirely from its pointed use in prophetic judgment.
- Symbol of Humiliation: The command to "make bare the leg" serves as a powerful symbol of divine judgment that strips away honor and status. It represents a forced descent from a position of ease into one of shame and hardship Isaiah 47:2.
- Reversal of Pride: The context involves a reversal of fortunes. The act of baring the leg to cross rivers is part of a judgment against a proud entity, demonstrating that God humbles those who exalt themselves.
- Imagery of Servitude: Paired with actions like grinding meal H2912, the baring of the leg paints a vivid picture of being reduced to the status of a slave. This imagery communicates the totality of the fall from power.
In summary, while H7640 appears only once, its meaning is clear and impactful. Shôbel is not merely an anatomical term but a word charged with theological weight in its sole biblical context. It functions as a key element in a prophetic oracle to illustrate the concepts of divine judgment, the humbling of the proud, and the stripping away of dignity as a consequence of sin.
TRV