In Genesis 24:2, Abraham says to his servant "put your hand under my thigh". What is that all about?

Question

Please give whatever levels of interpretation (PARDES) that apply.

Answer 1

I think "thigh" is actually a euphemism for his reproductive organ. Avraham had circumcised himself, and that mitzvah gave that part of his anatomy the status of a holy object - so when Avraham needed his servant Eliezer to take an oath, he had him swear on that.

The commentaries say that our forefathers kept the entire Torah even before it was revealed in full at Mt. Sinai. So the obvious question is, why not have Eliezer take a vow on Avraham's tefillin, or on a mezuzah, or something? Placing his hand "under Avraham's thigh" isn't exactly a modest gesture. But since the majority of the commandments weren't given, the objects associated with them did not have the elevated status of being associated with commandments. Avraham's circumcision, however, was in response to a direct order from G-d. Therefore it was the only suitable object for an oath.

I hope this helps, and as always, when confused, please consult with your LOR (Local Orthodox Rabbi).

Answer 2

Another method of confirming an oath was to place one’s hand under the other’s thigh (hip), as Abraham’s steward did in swearing that he would get a wife for Isaac from Abraham’s relatives (Ge 24:2, 9), and as Joseph did for Jacob in swearing not to bury Jacob in Egypt. (Ge 47:29-31) The word “thigh” applies to the upper part of the leg from the hip to the knee, in which the femur is located. According to the Jewish rabbi Rashbam, this method of swearing was used when a superior adjured an inferior, such as a master his servant or a father his son, who also owes him obedience. And according to another Jewish scholar, Abraham Ibn Ezra, it was the custom in those days for a servant to take an oath in this manner, placing his hand under his master’s thigh, the latter sitting upon his hand. This signified that the servant was under his master’s authority.

Answer 3

--A GESTURE confirming an oath:

*** it-1 p. 217 Attitudes and Gestures
Swearing. Raising hand; placing hand under thigh. In making an oath, it was customary to raise the right hand. God speaks of himself as doing this, symbolically. (De 32:40; Isa 62:8) The angel in Daniel’s vision raised both his right hand and his left to heaven to utter an oath. (Da 12:7) Another method of confirming an oath was to place one’s hand under the other’s thigh (hip), as Abraham’s steward did in swearing that he would get a wife for Isaac from Abraham’s relatives (Ge 24:2, 9), and as Joseph did for Jacob in swearing not to bury Jacob in Egypt. (Ge 47:29-31)
--The word “thigh” applies to the upper part of the leg from the hip to the knee, in which the femur is located. According to the Jewish rabbi Rashbam, this method of swearing was used when a superior adjured an inferior, such as a master his servant or a father his son, who also owes him obedience. And according to another Jewish scholar, Abraham Ibn Ezra, it was the custom in those days for a servant to take an oath in this manner, placing his hand under his master’s thigh, the latter sitting upon his hand. This signified that the servant was under his master’s authority.—The Soncino Chumash, edited by A. Cohen, London, 1956, p. 122.

Answer 4

Put your hand under my thigh: the symbolism of this act was apparently connected with the Hebrew concept of children issuing from their father's "thigh" (Genesis 46:26; Exodus 1:5). Perhaps the man who took such an oath was thought to bring the curse of sterility on himself if he did not fulfill his sworn promise. Jacob made Joseph swear in the same way (Genesis 47:29). In both these instances, the oath was taken to carry out the last request of a man upon his death.

Answer 5

You can find the same verbiage used in Genesis 47:29. It is a gesture which in my church is translated as having been a token of a covenant made between the two men. Same as the way we shake hands in our times to seal a deal. That is also the way my church translates the gesture as 'the servant put his hand under the hand of Abraham'.

Answer 6

When Abraham said this, it was when he was getting very old and needed help in raising himself from a sitting position, the normal position for eating and even entertaining.
It is NOT a sexual comment.

Answer 7

It was the the same thing as shaking hands to back up your promise now a days

Answer 8

an action for making a binding promise
honoring the line of descent and the progeny of a man as sacred witnesses

Answer 9

If you would read the rest of it, instead of just that part of it, it would all be explained. It was about swearing an oath to him. It was obviously something they did back then. That's all.

Answer 10

The gentleman above is correct - it does indeed refer to the testy-cules. Beautiful bit of logic, that - you can trust me because I'VE got a firm grip on YOUR bollocks...