Leg is the rendering of several words in the A.V. Usually the Heb. term is כָּרָע, karla' (only in the dual כּרָעִיַם), the lower limb or shank of an animal (Ex 12:9; Ex 29:17; Le 1:9,13; Le 4:11; Le 8:21; Le 9:14; Am 3:12) or a locust (Le 11:21); the σκέλος of a man (Joh 19:31-33). שֹׁוֹק, shôk (Chald. שָׁק, shâk, of an image, Da 2:33), is properly the shin or lower part of the leg, but used of the whole limb, e.g. of a person (De 28:13; Ps 147:10; Pr 26:7; "thigh," Isa 47:2; in the phrase "hip [q.v.] and thigh," Jg 15:7; spoken also of the drawers or leggins, Song of Solomon v. 15); also the "heave shoulder" (q.v.) of the sacrifice (Ex 29:22, etc.; 1Sa 9:24). Once by an extension of רֶגֶל, re'gel (1Sa 17:6), properly a foot (as usually rendered). Elsewhere improperly for שֹׁבֶל, sho'bel, the train or trailing dress of a female (Isa 47:2); and צעָדָה, tseada', a step-chain for the feet, or perh. bracelet for the wrist ("ornament of the leg," Isa 3:20). SEE THIGH.
Goliath's greaves for his legs doubtless extended from the knee to the foot (1Sa 17:6). SEE GREAVES. The bones of the legs of persons crucified were broken to hasten their death (Joh 19:31). SEE CRUCIFIXION.
The Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature was edited by John McClintock and James Strong. It contains nearly 50,000 articles pertaining to Biblical and other religious literature, people, creeds, etc. It is a fantastic research tool for broad Christian study.
John McClintock was born October 27, 1814 in Philadelphia to Irish immigrants, John and Martha McClintock. He began as a clerk in his father's store, and then became a bookkeeper in the Methodist Book Concern in New York. Here he converted to Methodism and considered joining the ministry. McClintock entered the University of Pennsylvania in 1832 and graduated with high honors three years later. Subsequently, he was awarded a doctorate of divinity degree from the same institution in 1848.WikipediaRead More