This term is used to describe the part of the body between the ribs and the hips. It is the place where the belt was worn (Exo 12:11; 2Ki 1:8; Jer 13:1; Mat 3:4) and the sword was held (2Sa 20:8). Pain and terror were reflected in weakness or quivering of the loins (Psa 38:7;
66:11; 69:23; Jer 30:6 ). Girding the loins with sackcloth was a sign of mourning (1Ki 20:32; Isa 32:11; Jer 48:37). As the place of the reproductive organs the loins are used to represent the generative function (Gen 35:11; 1Ki 8:19; Act 2:30; Heb 7:5). Since oriental clothing was worn loose (that is, not tight) at home, girding one’s loins means that one was preparing for some vigorous activity (Exo 12:11; 1Ki 18:46; Job 38:3; Pro 31: 17; Luke 12:35; 1Pe 1:13). Having the loins girded with truth meant strength in adhering to truth (Eph 6:14; compare Isa 11:5).
Source: Hispanic World Bible Dictionary
For the Hebrews, as well as for other ancient peoples, the lateral parts of the human or animal body between the ribs and the hip were the residence of their strength (Job 40:16; Pro 31:17 ). Therefore, “to strike down the l.” meant to take away the strength (Deu 33:11). “To gird the l.” was to prepare to perform a task (2Ki 4:29), or to run (1Ki 18:46). It was also used as a euphemism to refer to the reproductive capacity of man. Thus, God promised Abraham that of his l. kings would come forth (Gen 35:11). And he said to David: † œYour son who will come out of your l., He will build a house for my name † (1 Kings 8:19). The Israelites came out †œof the l. of Abraham† (Heb 7:5).
Source: Christian Bible Dictionary
vet, This part of the man is used to prefigure the seat of the fortress. The loins are also spoken of as the origin of the descendants (Gen. 35:11; Heb. 7:10). To undertake actions or activities, the loins were girded. God tells Job: “Now gird up your loins like a man” (Job 38:3). In his conflict with the evil spirits in the heavenly realms, the Christian is exhorted to gird his loins with truth (Eph. 6:14).
Source: New Illustrated Bible Dictionary
Lower and central part of the back. The Bible uses the Hebrew words chala·tsa·yim (loins) and moth·na·yim (hips) to refer to this part. (Isa 5:27; 2Ki 4:29) When John the Baptist is said to have had a leather belt around his loins, the Greek word o · sfýs is used literally. (Mt 3:4.)
The word “loins” in Hebrew also designates the part of the body where the reproductive organs are; for that reason the offspring are said to †˜come out of the loins†™. (Ge 35:11; 1Ki 8:19; Ac 2:30) When Paul showed that the Melchizedek priesthood of Jesus was superior to that of Aaron, his argument was that Levi, Aaron’s ancestor, was in the loins of Abraham, and in that sense it could be said that he paid tithes to Melchizedek. (Heb 7: 5-10; Ge 14: 18-20) Paul used similar reasoning at Romans 7: 9, when he said: “I was alive in another time apart from law; but when the commandment came, sin revived, but I died† .
“Girding up the loins” meant gathering the ends of one’s garments into a sash to facilitate physical activity, and the expression came to be used with reference to preparing for intense mental or spiritual activity, and sometimes to convey the idea of strengthening . (Lu 12:35; compare 1Pe 1:13, “Fortify your minds for activity.”)
At Ephesians 6:14, Christians are told to have their “loins girded with truth,” that is, to be strengthened with God’s Word of truth as their essential support, just as physical loins need to be girded with strength as protection against injury when making a great physical effort.
Jehovah foretold the pain and anguish of Jerusalem by the following comparison: “Every able-bodied man with his hands on his loins like a woman giving birth.” (Jer 30:6)
On the other hand, the Hebrew word ke·sel (loins) is used several times in Leviticus 3:4-15 in connection with communion sacrifices, as well as in Job 15:27 and Psalm 38:7. Other versions (DK, Mod, Val) translate it as †œijares† , †œijadas† and †œlomos† .
Source: Dictionary of the Bible
osfus (ojsfuv”, 3751) is used: (a) in a natural sense (Mat 3:4; Mc 1.6); (b) as the center of generative power (Heb 7:5,10; metaphorically Act 2:30); (c) metaphorically: (1) to gird up the loins in readiness for active service for the Lord (Luk 12:35); (2) the same, with truth (Eph 6:14), that is, to dispose oneself to maintain perfect sincerity and reality as the antidote in Christian character against hypocrisy and falsehood; (3) of girding up the loins of the understanding (1Pe 1:13), suggesting with this image the state of alertness necessary for sobriety and to place one’s hope in a perfect way “in the grace that will †¦ be brought when Jesus Christ is manifested”. The present participle, “girding”, is the introduction to the rest of the verse.¶
Source: Vine New Testament Dictionary