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549. Smiting the Thigh

From: Manners and Customs of the Bible

By: James M. Freeman

Narrator: Chris Genthree

Duration: 1min

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Jeremiah 31:19¹⁹Surely after that I was turned, I repented; and after that I was instructed, I smote upon my thigh: I was ashamed, yea, even confounded, because I did bear the reproach of my youth. (Jeremiah 31:19). Surely after that I was turned, I repented; and after that I was instructed, I smote upon my thigh.

This was one method by which the Jews expressed deep sorrow in time of mourning. Ezekiel was commanded to act in a similar manner as a significant mode of expressing the sorrow that was to come on rebellious Israel. See Ezekiel 21:12¹²Cry and howl, son of man: for it shall be upon my people, it shall be upon all the princes of Israel: terrors by reason of the sword shall be upon my people: smite therefore upon thy thigh. (Ezekiel 21:12). The Greeks and Persians had a similar custom, and it is practiced in some parts of the East at the present day.

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