What was the point or symbolism of...

[Seth Doty]

Swearing an oath with the hand on the thigh?

"Genesis 24:1-4 And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things. And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh: And I will make thee swear by the LORD, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell: But thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac."

"Genesis 47:29-31 And the time drew nigh that Israel must die: and he called his son Joseph, and said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh, and deal kindly and truly with me; bury me not, I pray thee, in Egypt: But I will lie with my fathers, and thou shalt carry me out of Egypt, and bury me in their buryingplace. And he said, I will do as thou hast said. And he said, Swear unto me. And he sware unto him. And Israel bowed himself upon the bed's head."

I also noticed that the thigh is one of the two places Christ has "KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS" written in Revelation 19:16. OBviously it is symbolic of something. Thoughts?

[Anon]

I've been told it was just the custom of the day...similar to the handshake of today to seal a deal. Especially in the past, a handshake was almost a contract (not so much today).

Offhand I would say the thigh is the strongest muscle in the body (??? not scientifically but practically) and maybe having the phrase put there on Christ would just further indicate strength and power.

?

[Wilchbla]

Swearing an oath with the hand on the thigh?

"Genesis 24:1-4 And Abraham was old, and well stricken in age: and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things. And Abraham said unto his eldest servant of his house, that ruled over all that he had, Put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh: And I will make thee swear by the LORD, the God of heaven, and the God of the earth, that thou shalt not take a wife unto my son of the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell: But thou shalt go unto my country, and to my kindred, and take a wife unto my son Isaac."

"Genesis 47:29-31 And the time drew nigh that Israel must die: and he called his son Joseph, and said unto him, If now I have found grace in thy sight, put, I pray thee, thy hand under my thigh, and deal kindly and truly with me; bury me not, I pray thee, in Egypt: But I will lie with my fathers, and thou shalt carry me out of Egypt, and bury me in their buryingplace. And he said, I will do as thou hast said. And he said, Swear unto me. And he sware unto him. And Israel bowed himself upon the bed's head."

I also noticed that the thigh is one of the two places Christ has "KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS" written in Revelation 19:16. OBviously it is symbolic of something. Thoughts?

It has something to do with the seed i.e procreation abilties. Anotherward, "cursed be my progeny if I break this oath". The greatest thing a man could swear by, especially at that time, would be by his progeny. PrOBably, the oath was to be passed to and carried on by his children also.