Definition: Therefore the children of Israel eat not [of] the sinew which shrank, which [is] upon the hollow of the thigh, unto this day: because he touched the hollow of Jacob’s thigh in the sinew that shrank.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Genesis 32:32. It's a really interesting and slightly strange story about a young man named Israel! Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Story: Jacob is having a problem with his leg. In the Old Testament, Jacob (later Abraham) was wrestling with an angel. During this struggle, he accidentally touched his thigh – specifically, the area where his muscles are thickest. The angel shrinks Jacob’s leg. The angel then shrinks Jacob's leg, making it smaller and weaker than it should be. What Does It Mean in a More Detailed Way? This verse is about a very unusual incident that led to a significant change in the story of Israel. Here’s the key points: “The children of Israel eat not [of] the sinew which shrank…” : This means that after this event, the Israelites (the people Jacob was wrestling with) began to have problems eating. They couldn't stomach the meat from animals that had been affected by the shrinking leg. "...which [is] upon the hollow of Jacob’s thigh...” : “Hollow” refers to a space or cavity within the muscle. The “sinew” is the strong, fibrous tissue that connects muscles and bones. So, this means the area where the muscle was thickest was now smaller. "...in the sinew that shrank." : This reinforces the idea that the problem started with Jacob’s accidental touch. The sinew itself was weakening. Why is this a big deal? This story is important because it: Shows God's intervention: It demonstrates that God actively intervened in events, even in seemingly minor ways. Highlights a moment of weakness: The incident shows that even small imperfections can have significant consequences. Introduces a key element of the story: It’s the foundation for understanding how God’s plan would ultimately lead to Israel's journey and their eventual relationship with God. In short, it tells us that a little accidental touch caused a problem, leading to a change in how the Israelites ate – a very strange and symbolic beginning to their history. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse further? Connect it to other parts of the Bible? Give you a simpler analogy of the story?