The “Genesis” of sciatic nerve injury

• Published in: Journal of plastic, reconstructive & aesthetic surgery reconstructive & aesthetic surgery, 2024-08, Vol.95, p.216-220
• Main Authors: Zamore, Zachary H., Schuenke, Mark D., Dellon, A. Lee
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Humans; Male; Nerve; Nerve injury; Old testament; Sciatic; Sciatic Nerve - injuries; Sciatic Neuropathy - etiology
• ISSN: 1748-6815; 1878-0539; 1878-0539
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bjps.2024.05.052

In the Old Testament book of Genesis, Chapter 32, Jacob wrestled with an angel. After that encounter, Jacobs limped. Through careful understanding of the original meaning of the words in Verses 25, 31, and 32 of Genesis 32, we seek to learn what type of injury the angel might have inflicted on Jacob. At the time Genesis was written, the difference between tendon and nerve was not understood. While wrestling, when the angel’s hand grabbed Jacob, it was most likely Jacob’s hip that was affected, not his thigh. Most likely, there was a posterior dislocation of the “socket” (hip joint), and the “sinew” that was damaged was the sciatic nerve. Today, this biblical description is manifested by the sciatic nerve being removed for beef to be considered Kosher. In Genesis Chapter 32, Jacob wrestled with an angel, after which Jacob limped. Most likely, Jacob had a posterior hip dislocation with a sciatic nerve stretch injury. Today, this Biblical description is manifested by the sciatic nerve being removed for beef to be considered Kosher.