Definition: The term "affinage" in the Old Testament refers to the act of coupling, or mating between two males or females. In Greek mythology, it was also referred to as "the exchange of one's own body for another's." Affinages were often used by the gods and other powerful figures, as a form of spiritual connection and power transfer. The word has multiple meanings in this context. It can refer to an individual who has been granted dominion over something through their relationship, or it may also indicate a mutual exchange of one’s own body for another's, like a marriage between two individuals. The meaning of "affinage" can vary depending on the cultural and social context of the time. In Jewish tradition, it was considered an important symbol in the practice of Tannaitic circumcision (the act of cutting off parts of the foreskin), which involved the exchange of male and female bodies for the purpose of creating a covenant between a father and son. In Christian tradition, affinages were often associated with the exchange of souls, as they represented a union where one person's life was no longer necessary to their partner's existence. The word "affinage" is frequently used in the Old Testament to describe the act of mating or copulation between two male or female beings.

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