2024ArkhipovSV

The monograph The Ninth Month, Eleventh Day [Rus] is dedicated to the oldest mention of LCF injury and the fate of the first patient with this pathology.

Arkhipov S.V. The Ninth Month, Eleventh Day: A Reflection on Chapter XXXII of the Book of Genesis. Joensuu: Author’s Edition, 2024.

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The narrative in the Book of Genesis about the struggle between Patriarch Jacob and God is a retelling of a dream. Our opinion is based on the assessment of the legend from a medical point of view. Analysis of the text, taking into account reliable information, showed that the first version was written almost 3,600 years ago in Egypt. Two writers worked on the work. One, a physician-encyclopedist, supplemented the family tales of the co-author with duplicates of literary characters and scientific facts. This addition rendered the biblical epic believable in the eyes of contemporaries. Later, the artistically processed dream became a key circumstance of the doctrines of the largest religions. Who needed this and why is not discussed. Most of the mysteries of the Old Testament myth were rationally explained. It remains unclear how the brilliant doctor identified damage to the ligament of the hip joint in Patriarch Jacob. A reliable method for diagnosing this injury, which leads to incurable osteoarthritis, is still unknown.

The monograph is addressed to medical workers and supporters of atheism

Dedicated to my mother,

wise, warm-hearted, beloved.

Arkhipova (Molchanova) Zinaida Evgenievna

Synopsis

The preface briefly narrates the history of the book's development, providing an overview of the discussed events in the Book of Genesis and introducing the main character, Patriarch Jacob.

Chapter 1 outlines essential information about the origin of the text and its early translations. It presents the author's hypothesis that the first version of Genesis was written in Ancient Egypt during the 17th-16th centuries BCE and traces its subsequent evolution in the land of modern-day Israel.

Chapter 2 provides a timeline, dating the life of Abraham (a contemporary of Hammurabi’s son), the migration of Jacob's family to Egypt (following the eruption of the Santorini volcano), the birth of his son Joseph, the "global flood," and the expulsions of Cain, Adam, and Eve (events of the Paleolithic era).

Chapter 3 examines Jacob's life and the injury he sustained, arguing that his brother Esau (depicted with a congenital anomaly) is a fictional character inspired by Enkidu from the Mesopotamian Epic of Gilgamesh.

Chapters 4 and 5 reconstruct and date (1633 BCE) the only plausible migration route of Jacob's family from Haran (modern Turkey) to present-day Israel. These chapters highlight clearly fabricated episodes and inconsistencies in the Biblical timeline.

Chapter 6 recounts the author’s expedition to Jordan, during which an ancient ford over the Jabbok River (Zarqa) mentioned in the Bible was discovered. This ford was reportedly used by figures from both the Old and New Testaments. According to legend, it is where the Jewish people received the name "Israel."

Chapter 7 explains that Jacob's struggle with an angel was a dream of a creatively gifted individual from the Bronze Age. The theological and clerical interpretations of this Biblical episode are shown to be speculative readings of the dream.

Chapter 8 focuses on the anatomy of the hip joint, specifically the "sinew of the thigh," as described in Genesis. It concludes that knowledge of this anatomical feature and its injuries originated in Ancient Egypt, showcasing the country's advanced medical expertise. It is stated that the commandment prohibiting the consumption of the ligament of the thigh of an animal is not applicable. Jews and Muslims observe a ritual that is essentially unrelated to religion.

Chapter 9 explores how Jacob might have injured his hip while crossing the river. The author's viewpoint is supported and illustrated through experiments with mechanical models.

Chapter 10 explains why Jacob developed a limp after his injury. Ancient Egyptian texts suggest that the precise cause of his limp and the resulting hip disease was known 3,600 years ago. The chapter speculates how an ancient physician could diagnose Jacob’s injury and why this medical knowledge was embedded in the story—to preserve the discovery for future generations. Alongside this analysis, experiments and illustrations emphasize the critical role of the hip's ligament and demonstrate the mechanics of injury during walking. The author encourages readers to care for their hip joints.

Chapter 11 briefly reviews various artistic and poetic interpretations of Jacob’s struggle with the angel.

The epilogue emphasizes the historicity of the main character. It is concluded that the Book of Genesis was written to exalt the Hyksos official. The text incorporates archaic ideas about the physical world, evolution, anatomy, and physiology. Genesis is classified as a literary work, akin to an ancient encyclopedia. Given its datable elements, the knowledge it conveys can be included in literary reviews, excluding the identified mythical aspects. The discussed text underpins the doctrines of the three largest religions. While the question of who needed this and why is left unanswered, the author hopes readers will reflect on the irrationality of constructing theological doctrines on dreams and hallucinations.

Contents

Пресловие

Глава 1. Создание и переводы Библии

Глава 2. Датировка ветхозаветной истории

Глава 3. Житие Патриарха Иакова

Глава 4. География Ветхозаветного похода

Глава 5. Путешествие из Харрана в Маханаим

Глава 6. Переход через Иавок

Глава 7. Сновидение Патриарха Иакова

Глава 8. Жила состава бедра

Глава 9. Повреждение, но не поражение

Глава 10. И хромал он на бедро свое

Глава 11. Сюжет в зеркале искусства

Послесловие

Приложение 1. Датировка событий жизни Патриарха Иакова

Приложение 2. Предание Патриарха Иакова

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Author:

Arkhipov S.V. – candidate of medical sciences, surgeon, traumatologist-orthopedist.

Citation:

Архипов С.В. Девятый месяц, одиннадцатый день: Рассуждение о XXXII главе книги Бытие; 2-е изд., перераб. и доп. Йоэнсуу: Издание Автора, 2024.

Arkhipov, S.V. The Ninth Month, Eleventh Day: A Reflection on Chapter XXXII of the Book of Genesis. 2nd ed., revised and expanded. Joensuu: Author’s Edition, 2024. [Rus]

Purchase:

PDF version is available on Google Play & Google Books.

Keywords

ligamentum capitis femoris, ligamentum teres, ligament of head of femur, history, first patient, symptoms, injury, damage, synonyms

BLOG CONTENT

ANCIENT MENTIONS

Comments

1902RilkeRM

Works of art that mention ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) are extremely rare. One such work is the poem «Der Schauende» ( He Who Visions, The Seer, The Man Watching, The Beholder) b y Rainer Rilke. Below is the original text in German. Der Schauende 1. Ich sehe den Bäumen die Stürme an, die aus laugewordenen Tagen an meine ängstlichen Fenster schlagen, und höre die Fernen Dinge sagen, die ich nicht ohne Freund ertragen, nicht ohne Schwester lieben kann. 2. Da geht der Sturm, ein Umgestalter, geht durch den Wald und durch die Zeit, und alles ist wie ohne Alter: die Landschaft, wie ein Vers im Psalter, ist Ernst und Wucht und Ewigkeit. 3. Wie ist das klein, womit wir ringen, was mit uns ringt, wie ist das groß; ließen wir, ähnlicher den Dingen, uns so vom großen Sturm bezwingen, - wir würden weit und namenlos. 4. Was wir besiegen, ist das Kleine, und der Erfolg selbst macht uns klein. Das Ewige und Ungemeine will nicht von uns gebogen sein. Das ist der Enge...

1730CheseldenW

Fragments from the book Cheselden W. The Anatomy of the Human Body (1730). The author draws attention to the role of ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) in counteracting hip dislocation and maintaining the femoral head in the joint. The work notes that the LCF is “powerful” and “short” - “about two inches” i.e. approximately 5 cm! This error will be corrected in a subsequent treatise ( 1733CheseldenW ) . Quote pp. 43 - 44 Chap. VII. Of the Ligaments At the upper part of the articulation of the Os Femoris and Os Innominatum, is a strong ligament of great consequence; it contributing very much to preserve that joint from being luxated by the weight of the body. And from the lower edge of the Acetabulum of the Os Innominatum, runs a ligament to the middle of the head of the Os Femoris, about two inches long (which the Motion in this joint requires) called Teres, or Rotundum, whose use is to prevent the Os Femoris from being luxated upwards, but down wards it will le...

LCF in 2026 (May)

LCF in 2026 (May ) (Quotes from articles and books published in May 2026 mentioning the ligamentum capitis femoris) Kim, P. S., Kang, C., Lee, J. K., & Hwang, J. M. (2026). Hip arthroscopy to treat symptomatic paralabral cysts: a retrospective analysis of clinical outcomes. Arthroscopy and Orthopedic Sports Medicine , 13 (1), 27-34. [i] e-aosm.org Ko, H. Y. (2026). Vascular Anatomy of the Extremities and Lungs. In Practical Functional Anatomy for Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation: A Guide for Physiatrists and Rehabilitation Specialists (pp. 191-223). Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore. [ii] link.springer.com Aiba, H., Yamaguchi, M., Kimura, H., & Murakami, H. (2026). Advances in limb-salvage surgery and reconstruction for pediatric bone and soft tissue tumors. Frontiers in Pediatrics , 14 , 1817788. [iii] pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov Bajwa, A., Villar, R., ...

1851HyrtlJ

The author expresses a classic view on the functions of the ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF): a conductor of blood vessels and a limiter of adduction of the femur. J. Hyrtl believed that it was impossible to completely dislocate the hip without tearing the LCF. Hyrtl J. Lehrbuch der Anatomie des Menschen, mit Rücksicht auf physiologische Begründung und praktische Anwendung. Wien: W. Braumüller, 1851. [fragment] Quote p. 265 In der Höhle des Gelenks liegt das runde Band des Schenkelkopfes (Lig. teres), welches an der Incisura acetabuli entspringt, und bei richtiger Neigung des Beckens, senkrecht zur Grube des Schenkelkopfes aufsteigt. Es beschränkt dieses Band die Zuziehung des Schenkels, und schreibt zugleich den durch die Incisura acetabuli eindringenden Blutgefässen den Weg vor, den sie zum Oberschenkelkopfe zu nehmen haben. Da das Band, wenn es in die Höhle des Gelenkes vorragen würde, durch Reibung viel zu leiden hätte, so...

16с.Archangel_Michael

Icon «Michael the Archangel (in deeds)», stigma «The struggle of Jacob with the angel» (16th cent.). Depicting the circumstances and mechanism of the ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF) injury based on the description in the Book of Genesis: 25 And Ja cob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. 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. … 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. ( 1922LeeserI , Genesis (Bereshit) 32:25-26,33) More about the plot in our work: Ninth month, eleventh day ( 2024АрхиповСВ. Девятый месяц, одиннадцатый день ). Unknown author – Icon «Michael the Archangel (in deeds)»...

1626BartholinC

Fragment from the book Bartholin C. Anatomicae Institutiones Corporis Humani (1626). The author describes the anatomy, topography, geometric and mechanical properties of the ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF). The term «terete» (rounded) is used to indicate its geometry. The term «cartilagine» (cartilaginous) is used to describe the hardness of the LCF, and the analogy of «nervus esset cartilaginosus» (like a cartilaginous sinew) is given. Similar terminological elements are present in the works of Galen of Pergamon and Theophilus Protospatharius ( 2020ArkhipovSV_ProlyginaIV ). See the previous edition at the link: 1611BartholinC Quote p. 409 [Lat] Cap. XXI. DE OSSIBUS TOTIUS PEDIS. … I. Est caput maximum & rotundum, ex appendice factum, quod in coxendicis acetabulum inseritur, & duplici ligamento cum coxendice nectitur: uno communi, lato, membraneo, sed satis crasso, orbiculatum articulum ambiente; altero terete, quasi cartilagine (ac si nervus esset cart...

1905BardeenCR

An excerpt from the article by Bardeen CR. Studies of the development of the human skeleton (1905). The author briefly discusses the emergence of the ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF). Quote p. 287 The hip-joint is represented at first by a dense mass of scleroblastema, Fig. 55. The development of the acetabulum by ingrowth and fusion of processes from the iliac, ischial and pubic cartilages has already been described. The cartilagenous joint-cavity is at first quite shallow, Fig. 56. But extension of cartilage into the blastemal tissue which passes from the pelvis over the head of the femur serves greatly to deepen it on all sides except in the region of the cotyloid notch. The joint-cavity is at first completely filled with a dense blastemat tissue, Fig. 56. While the embryo is growing from 20 to 30 mm. in length cavity formation begins in the tissue lying between the cartilagenous floor of the acetabulum and the head of the femur. The first stage in the process is marked by a c...

1720RuyschF

The author draws attention to the well-developed blood supply of the acetabular fossa, as well as the ligamentum capitis femoris (LCF). In the work, it is referred to as the «ligamentum nerveo-cartilagineum», which literally means the tough cartilaginous ligament and implies its strength. With the difficulty of accessing the acetabular fossa, and therefore the LCF, Frederik Ruysch associates the inefficiency of treating hip joint pain. The writer presumably implies osteoarthritis. In our opinion, its development is initiated by the pathology of the LCF ( 2012АрхиповСВ ). The discussed work includes a black and white drawing of the LCF of a child, made by the illustrator Jan Wandelaar. In color, the same preparation, but from a different angle, was depicted by the artist Jan l'Admiral in a separate publication ( 1738LadmiralJ ). Ruysch F. Adversarium anatomico-medico-chirurgicorum decas secunda. In quâ varia notatu digna recensentur. Cum figuris aeneis. Amsterdami: a...

Human Children. Retelling of Chapter 14

Short retelling of chapter 14 of the essay: Arkhipov S.V. Human Children: The Origins of Biblical Legends from a Physician's Perspective. Joensuu: Author's Edition, 2025. [In Russian] Chapter 14. ESAU AND JACOB At 40, Isaac marries Rebekah, his cousin’s daughter. Their marriage is long childless until Rebekah conceives twins, detected prenatally, possibly by her large belly or palpation. Genesis states that at 60, Isaac fathers the twins, born naturally after 20 years of marriage. The first, Esau, emerges “red, all hairy like a cloak,” followed by Jacob, unremarkable but grasping Esau’s heel. Over time, their differences deepen: Esau, a skilled hunter, roams fields; Jacob, gentle, stays in tents. Famine forces the family from “Beer-Lahai-Roi” in the Negev to “Gerar’s Philistine king,” then to “Gerar’s valley,” and finally to Beersheba. At 40, Jacob, urged by Rebekah, deceives blind Isaac to steal Esau’s inheritance, sparking enmity. Rebekah advises Jacob to flee to rela...

Human Children. Retelling of Chapter 1

Short retelling of chapter 1 of the essay: Arkhipov S.V. Human Children: The Origins of Biblical Legends from a Physician's Perspective. Joensuu: Author's Edition, 2025. [In Russian] Chapter 1. THE BEGINNING OF THE WORLD The Bible stands as a remarkable testament to religious and philosophical thought, passed down through the ages with minimal alterations. At its core lies a collection of texts rooted in the sacred writings of Jewish and Samaritan traditions, known as the Torah, meaning "Law" or "Teaching." In its narrowest sense, the Torah comprises the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, collectively called the Tanakh—an acronym derived from the Hebrew terms for "Law/Teaching" (Torah), "Prophets" (Nevi’im), and "Writings" (Ketuvim). Beyond this Written Torah, there exists an Oral Torah, which includes the Mishnah, Talmud, and Midrash, offering interpretations and expansions of the written texts. The Written Torah it...

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