בִּרְכָּיו הָלְכוּ מַיִם

ביטוי (אנגלית)

His knees went water/ to pass water from fear

הגדרה (אנגלית)

He was frightened and lost his composure. He was afraid and confused. “Water was poured over his legs.” “He did it in his pants” (original meaning: he urinated or sweated from great fear; alternatively: his knees melted like water. Figuratively: he grew weak).

(“All hands shall grow weak, and all knees shall run with water.” — Ezekiel 7:17. “And see how much the Omnipresent is concerned for human dignity: because of the one who is fearful and faint-hearted — when he returns, they say, ‘Perhaps he built a house, perhaps he planted a vineyard, perhaps he betrothed a wife.’ All of those were required to bring proof, except for the one who is fearful and faint-hearted, whose proof is with him: he hears the sound of shields clashing and is terrified; the sound of horses neighing and trembles; the blast of horns and is alarmed; he sees swords being drawn — and water runs down between his knees.” — Sifrei Devarim, Parashat Shoftim, section 178.)