Skip to main content

The Shortest Comments on Genesis, Chap. XXXII-XXXIII


The chosen fragment records ancient views on the symptoms, mechanism, and differential diagnosis of ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) injury. The author describes the emotional status, work capacity of the patient, circumstances, time, and place of the injury, as a physician in the modern medical record (Genesis 32:8-33:20). Further in the text, apparently, a pathoanatomical investigation is mentioned, confirming the antemortem diagnosis, place of dissection (Genesis 50:2-3), as well as the location of the burial of embalmed remains (Genesis 50:13). Our comments on chapters 32-33 are presented in the table. The quotes are based on the translation of the Book of Bereshit (Genesis) from Hebrew by Isaac Leeser (1922).

The shortest comments

Quotes from the original source

Emotional status and the name of injured person.

32:8  Then  Jacob  was  greatly  afraid,  and  he  felt  distressed  ;  and  he  divided  the  people  that  were  with  him,  and  the  flocks,  and  the  herds,  and  the  camels,  into  two  bands. … 32:21  And  say  ye  moreover.  Behold,  also  thy  servant  Jacob  is  behind  us.  For  he  said,  I  will  appease  him  with  the  present  that  goeth  before  me,  and  afterward  I  will  see  his  face ;  peradventure  he  will  receive  me  kindly.

Time and circumstances of injury.

32:22  The  present  went  thus  on  before  him  and  he  lodged  himself  that  night  in  the  camp  32:23  And  he  rose  up  that  night,  and  he  took  his  two  wives,  and  his  two  women-servants,  and  his  eleven  sons,  and  passed  over  the  ford  of  the  Yabbok.  32:24  And  he  took  them,  and  sent  them  over  the  stream,  and  sent  over  what  he  had.

Symptom of damage: «pain while half asleep».

32:25  And  Jacob  was  left  alone;  and  there  wrestled  a  man  with  him  until  the  breaking  of  the  day.

Mechanism of injury.

32:26  And  when  he  saw  that  he  could  not  pre  vail  against  him,  he  struck  against  the  hollow of  his  thigh ;  and  the  hollow  of  Jacob's  thigh  was  put  out  of  joint,  as  he  was  wrestling  with  him.

Dream of the injured.

32:27  And  he  said,  Let  me  go,  for  the  day  hath  dawned.  And  he  said,  I  will  not  let  thee  go  until  thou  hast  blessed  me. … 32:30  And  Jacob  asked  him,  and  said.  Tell  me,  I  pray  thee,  thy  name.  And  he  said,  Wherefore  is  it  that  thou  dost  ask  after  my  name  ?   And  he  blessed  him  there.

Place of injury.

32:31  And  Jacob  called  the  name  of  the  place  Peniёl :  for  I  have  seen  an  angel  of  God  face  to  face,  and  my  life  hath  been  preserved.

Symptom of injury: «lameness».

32:32  And  the  sun  rose  unto  him  as  he  passed  by  Penuёl,  and  he  halted  upon  his  thigh.

Pathomorphology of injury.

32:33  Therefore  do  the  children  of  Israel  not  eat  the  sinew  which  shrank,  which  is  upon  the  hollow  of  the  thigh,  unto  this  day;  because  he  struck  against  the  hollow  of  Jacob's  thigh  on  the  sinew  that  shrank.

Meeting of Jacob and Esau.

33:1  And  Jacob  lifted  up  his  eyes,  and  looked,  and  behold,  Esau  came,  and  with  him  four  hundred  men.  And  he  divided  the  children  unto  Leäh,  and  unto  Rachel,  and  unto  the  two handmaids.  33:2  And  he  put  the  handmaids  and  their  children  foremost,  and  Leäh  and  her  children  after,  and  Rachel  and  Joseph  hindermost.

Differential diagnostic test.

33:3  And  he  himself  passed  on  before  them,  and  bowed  himself  to  the  ground  seven  times,  until  he  came  near  to  his  brother.

Dialogue between Jacob and Esau.

33:4  And  Esau  ran  to  meet  him,  and  embraced  him,  and  fell  on  his  neck,  and  kissed  him;  and  they  wept. … 33:11  Take,  I  pray  thee,  my  present  that  is  brought  to  thee;  because  God  hath  dealt  graciously  with  me,  and  because  I  have  a  plenty  of  all.  And  he  urged  him,  and  he  took  it.

Symptom: «prefers to sit».

33:12  And  he  said.  Let  us  depart,  and  move  farther,  and  I  will  travel  near  thee.

Symptom: «slow walking».

33:13  And  he  said  unto  him.  My  lord  knoweth  that  the  children  are  tender,  and  the  flocks  and  herds  with  young  are  a  charge  on  me : and  if  they  should  overdrive  them  one  day,  all  the  flock  would  die.  33:14  Let  my  lord,  I  pray  thee,  pass  on  before  his  servant :  and  I  will  lead  on  slowly,  according as  the  cattle  that  goeth  before  me  and  the  children  may  be  able  to  travel,  until  I come  unto  my  lord  unto  Seïr.

Parting of Jacob and Esau.

33:15  And  Esau  said.  Let  me,  I  pray  thee,  leave  with  thee  some  of  the  people  that  are  with  me.  And  he  said,  What  needeth  it?  let  me  only  find  grace  in  the  eyes  of  my  lord.  33:16  So  Esau  returned  that  day  on  his  way  unto  Seïr.

Work capacity in the first day after injury.

33:17  And  Jacob  journeyed  to  Succoth  and  built  himself  a  house,  and  for  his  cattle  he  made  booths;  therefore  he  called  the  name  of  the  place  Succoth.

Work capacity six months after injury.

33:18  And  Jacob  came  in  good  health  to  the  city  of  Shechem,  which  is  in  the  land  of  Canaan,  when  he  came  from  Padan-aram;  and  he  encamped  before  the  city. 33:19  And  he  bought  the  parcel  of  the  field,  where  he  had  spread  his  tent,  at  the  hand  of  the  children  of  Chamor,  the  father  of  Shechem,  for  a  hundred  kessitah.  33:20  And  he  erected  there  an  altar,  and  called  it,  El-Elohé-Yisrael.

Morphological verification of damage.

50:2  And  Joseph  commanded  his  servants  the physicians  to  embalm  his  father:  and  the  physicians  embalmed  Israel.

Place of the pathoanatomical examination.

50:3  And  they  fulfilled  for  him  forty  days;  for  so  they  fulfil  the  days  of  those  that  are  embalmed;  and  the  Egyptians  wept  for  him  seventy  days.

Location of the burial of embalmed remains.

50:13  And  his  sons  carried  him  into  the  land  of  Canaan,  and  buried  him  in  the  cave  of  the  field  of  Machpelah,  which  field  Abraham  bought  for  a  possession,  as  a  burying-place,  of  Ephron  the  Hittite,  before  Mamré.

For a more detailed discussion of the medical aspects of biblical trauma, refer to our book «Children of Human: The Origins of Biblical Legends in the View of a Physician» (2023АрхиповСВ [in Russian]).


References

Leeser I. The twenty-four books of the Holy Scriptures. Carefully translated according to the Massoretic text, on the basis of the English version after the best Jewish authorities and supplied with short explanatory notes by Isaac Leeser. New York: Bloch Pub. Co., 1922. [archive.org]

Архипов С.В. Дети человеческие: истоки библейских преданий в обозрении врача. Обновляемое электронное эссе, снабженное ссылками на интерактивный материал. Йоэнсуу: Издание Автора, 2023; версия 1.0.0. (Arkhipov S.V. Children of Human: The Origins of Biblical Legends in the View of a Physician. Updatable e-Essay with Links to Interactive Material. Joensuu: Author's Edition, 2023; Version 1.0.0. [In Russian]) [books.google]  

Keywords

synonyms, ligamentum capitis femoris, ligamentum teres, ligament of head of femur, Bible, anatomy, Torah, trauma, injury 

.                                                                     .

In translating to English, the author is assisted by ChatGPT (version 3.5) and the Google Translate service.

If you notice an error, please let us know!

NB! Fair practice / use: copied for the purposes of criticism, review, comment, research and private study in accordance with Copyright Laws of the US: 17 U.S.C. §107; Copyright Law of the EU: Dir. 2001/29/EC, art.5/3a,d; Copyright Law of the RU: ГК РФ ст.1274/1.1-2,7

BLOG CONTENT 

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

LCF in 2025 (December)

  LCF in 2025 ( December)   (Quotes from articles and books published in  December  2025 mentioning the ligamentum capitis femoris)   Sarassa, C., Aristizabal, S., Mejía, R., García, J. J., Quintero, D., & Herrera, A. M. (2025). Intraosseous Tunneling and Ligamentum Teres Ligamentodesis “Teretization” to Enhance Stability in Congenital Hip Dislocation Surgery: Surgical Technique and Mid-Term Outcomes. Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics , 10-1097.   [i]      journals.lww.com   Kampouridis, P., Svorligkou, G., Spassov, N., & Böhme, M. (2025). Postcranial anatomy of the Late Miocene Eurasian hornless rhinocerotid Chilotherium. PLoS One , 20 (12), e0336590.     [ii]      journals.plos.org   Burdette, T. N., Hsiou, C. L., McDonough, S. P., Pell, S., Ayers, J., Divers, T. J., & Delvescovo, B. Sidewinder syndrome associated with complete rupture of the ligamentum capitis ossis femoris in a horse. Eq...

IMPROVING POSTOPERATIVE COMFORT...

  Improving Postoperative Comfort and Increasing the Reliability of Hip Prostheses by Supplementing with Artificial Ligaments: Proof of Concept and Prototype Demonstration S.V. Arkhipov, Independent Researcher, Joensuu, Finland       CONTENT [i]   Abstract [ii]   Introduction [iii]   Materials and Methods [iv]   Results and Discussion [v]   Static Tests [vi]   Dynamic Tests [vii]   Prototype Fabrication and Testing [viii]   Conclusion [ix]   References [x]   Application [i]   Abstract The principle of operation of an experimental total hip endoprosthesis augmented with ligament analogs has been demonstrated in single-leg vertical stances and at the mid-stance phase of the single-support period of gait. The experiments were conducted on a specially designed mechatronic testing rig. The concept of the important role of the ligamentous apparatus is further illustrated by a set of demonstrative mechanical models. The...

2008DoddsMK_McCormackD

  Content [i]   Annotation [ii]   Original text [iii]   References [iv]   Source  &  links [v]   Notes [vi]   Authors & Affiliations [vii]   Keywords [i]   Annotation Abstract of the article: Dodds MK et al . Transarticular stabilization of the immature femoral head: assessment of a novel surgical approach to the dislocating pediatric hip in a porcine model (2008). The article describes an experiment of reconstruction of ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) in pigs with the formation of a femoral tunnel. The text in Russian is available at the following link:  2008DoddsMK_McCormackD . [ii]   Original text Abstract Background: Acetabular dysplasia and hip instability are common in neuromuscular diseases such as spina bifida and cerebral palsy due to deranged muscle function around the hip. Occasionally in developmental dysplasia of the hip, persistent instability may be difficult to manage by standard treatments. It i...

NEWS 2026

New publications of our resource   in 2026 The initial phase of collecting data on LCF, accumulated prior to the 20th century, is largely complete. Next, we plan to analyze and synthesize thematic information, adding data from the 20th and 21st centuries. The work will focus primarily on: prevention, diagnosis, arthroscopy, plastic surgery, and endoprosthetics.  January 05, 2026 2018YoussefAO The article describes a method for transposition of the proximal attachment of the LCF in congenital hip dislocation.   2007WengerD_OkaetR The authors demonstrated in the experiment that the strength of the LCF is sufficient to ensure early stability during hip joint reconstruction in children. January 04, 2026 2008 BacheCE _TorodeIP The article describes a method for transposition of the proximal attachment of the LCF in congenital hip dislocation .  2021PaezC_WengerDR The ar ticle analyzes the results of open reconstruction of LCF in dysplasia.   2008DoddsMK...

1970MichaelsG_MatlesAL

  Content [i]   Annotation [ii]   Original text [iii]   References [iv]   Source  &  links [v]   Notes [vi]   Authors & Affiliations [vii]   Keywords [i]   Annotation Abstract of the article: Michaels G, Matles AL. The role of the ligamentum teres in congenital dislocation of the hip (1970). The authors proposed an analogy for the role of the ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) as a “ball and chain control” and noted that it can spontaneously reduce congenital hip dislocation. The text in Russian is available at the following link: 1970MichaelsG_MatlesAL . [ii]   Original text Quote p. 199 Many papers in the literature have implicated the ligamentum teres as a hindrance to the late open reduction of a congenitally dislocated hip. Occasionally the ligamentum teres has been reported to be absent. However, in most cases it is hypertrophied and elongated. Our present knowledge confirms the fact that congenital dislocation of t...

2012FrederickP_KelmanDC

   Invention (Patent): Frederick P, Belew K, Jasper L, Gatewood J, Gibson L, Masonis J, Cooper M, Kelman DC. Methods and apparatus for FAI surgeries.  US20120283840A1   (2012).   US20120283840A1 US Inventors: Phillip Frederick, Kevin Belew, Lauren Jasper, James Gatewood, Luke Gibson, John Masonis, Michael Cooper, David C. Kelman Current Assignee: Smith and Nephew Inc Worldwide applications 2010 KR JP RU BR CA US CN EP CN WO AU 2014 US 2016 AU 2017 AU Application US13/202,612 events: 2010-02-25 Заявка подана Smith and Nephew Inc 2010-02-25 Приоритет US13/202,612 2012-11-08 Публикация US20120283840A1 2014-12-02 Заявка удовлетворена 2014-12-02 Публикация US8900320B2 Статус: Активный 2031-06-08 Измененный срок действия   Methods and apparatus for FAI surgeries Phillip Frederick, Kevin Belew, Lauren Jasper, James Gatewood, Luke Gibson, John Masonis, Michael Cooper, David C. Kelman   Abstract A partial rim implant for an acetabulum in a pelvic bone comprise...

2011HosalkarHS_WengerDR

  Content [i]   Annotation [ii]   Original text [iii]   References [iv]   Source  &  links [v]   Notes [vi]   Authors & Affiliations [vii]   Keywords [i]   Annotation Abstract of the article: Hosalkar HS et al . Isocentric reattachment of ligamentum teres: a porcine study (2011). The article describes a method of isocentric fixation of the proximal end of the ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) during plastic surgery in an experiment on pigs. The text in Russian is available at the following link: 2011HosalkarHS_WengerDR . [ii]   Original text Abstract Background: Recent reports reveal interest in the mechanical importance of ligamentum teres (LT) in hip dislocation. In the previously established procedure of anteroinferior acetabular LT reattachment in developmental dysplasia of the hip, the LT functions as a check-rein, showing promising results. However, this position of reattachment could potentially limit motion. Th...

2008WengerDR_MiyanjiF

  Article: Wenger DR et al. Ligamentum teres maintenance and transfer as a stabilizer in open reduction for pediatric hip dislocation: surgical technique and early clinical results (2008). The article describes a method of open reconstruction of the ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) for hip dysplasia. The text in Russian is available at the following link: 2008WengerDR_MiyanjiF . Ligamentum teres maintenance and transfer as a stabilizer in open reduction for pediatric hip dislocation: surgical technique and early clinical results   Wenger DR, Mubarak SJ, Henderson PC, Miyanji F   CONTENT [i]   Abstract [ii]   Introduction [iii]   Materials and Methods [iv]   Surgical technique & Results [v]   Discussion & Conclusion [vi]   References [vii]   Application [i]   Abstract Purpose The ligamentum teres has primarily been considered as an obstruction to reduction in children with developmental dislocation of the hip (DDH). In the ea...

2023AbibeRB_SaundersWB

  Article: Abibe RB et al. Ligamentum teres reconstruction using autogenous semitendinosus tendon with toggle technique in rabbits (2023). The article describes experimental reconstruction of ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) in rabbits. The text in Russian is available at the following link:  2023AbibeRB_SaundersWB . Ligamentum teres reconstruction using autogenous semitendinosus tendon with toggle technique in rabbits Abibe RB, Rahal SC, Reis Mesquita LD, Doiche D, da Silva JP, Mamprim MJ, Pinho RH, Battazza A, Alves CEF, Saunders WB   CONTENT [i]   Abstract [ii]   Introduction [iii]   Materials and Methods [iv]   Results [v]   Discussion & Conclusion [vi]   References [vii]   Application [i]   Abstract Background Ligamentum teres (LT) has traditionally been considered a vestigial or redundant structure in humans; however, based on new studies and the evolution of hip arthroscopy, the LT injury has been viewed as a source of hi...

2007WengerD_OkaetR

  Content [i]   Annotation [ii]   Original text [iii]   References [iv]   Source  &  links [v]   Notes [vi]   Authors & Affiliations [vii]   Keywords [i]   Annotation Abstract of the article: Wenger D et al . The mechanical properties of the ligamentum teres: a pilot study to assess its potential for improving stability in children’s hip surgery (2007). The authors demonstrated in the experiment that the strength of the ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) is sufficient to ensure early stability during hip joint reconstruction in children. The text in Russian is available at the following link: 2007WengerD_OkaetR . [ii]   Original text Abstract The anatomic and histological characteristics of the ligamentum teres and its vascular contributions to the femoral head have been well described. The function of the ligamentum teres remains poorly understood. Although excision is the current standard in treating complete developme...