Strong's Lexicon
splagchnon: Bowels, compassion, affection, heart
Original Word:σπλάγχνον
Part of Speech:Noun, Neuter
Transliteration:splagchnon
Pronunciation:SPLANGKH-non
Phonetic Spelling:(splangkh'-non)
Definition:Bowels, compassion, affection, heart
Meaning:the inward parts; the heart, affections, seat of the feelings.
Word Origin:Derived from the Greek root σπλάγχνα (splagchna), which refers to the inward parts or entrails.
Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries:The Hebrew equivalent often associated with similar emotional expressions is רַחֲמִים (rachamim), Strong's Hebrew 7356, which also denotes compassion or mercy.
Usage:In the New Testament, "splagchnon" is often used metaphorically to describe deep emotions, particularly compassion and affection. It conveys the idea of heartfelt sympathy and tender mercy, reflecting the seat of emotions in the ancient understanding of human anatomy.
Cultural and Historical Background:In ancient Greek culture, the "splagchna" or inward parts were considered the center of emotions and feelings, much like the heart is viewed in modern Western culture. This concept was prevalent in both Greek and Hebrew thought, where the physical organs were often associated with emotional states. The term reflects a deep, visceral response, indicating genuine and profound emotional engagement.
HELPS Word-studies
4698splágxnon – properly, the internal organs ("viscera"); (figuratively) "gut-level compassion" (visceral feelings); the capacity to feel deep emotions (sympathy, empathy, etc.).
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originof uncertain origin
Definitionthe inward parts (heart, liver, lungs, etc.), fig. the emotions
NASB Translationaffection (3), affections (1), heart (4), hearts (1), intestines (1), tender (1).
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 4698: σπλάγχνονσπλάγχνον,
σπλαγχνου,
τό, and (only so in the N. T.) plural
σπλάγχνα,
σπλάγχνων,
τά, Hebrew
רַחֲמִים,
bowels, intestines (the heart, lungs, liver, etc.);
a. properly:Acts 1:18 (2 Macc. 9:5f; 4 Macc. 5:29, and in Greek writings fromHomer down).
b. in the Greek poets fromAeschylus down the bowels were regarded as the seat of the more violent passions, such as anger and love; but by the Hebrews as the seat of the tenderer affections, especially kindness, benevolence, compassion (cf.Lightfoot onPhilippians 1:8;Winers Grammar, 18); hence, equivalent to ourheart (tender mercies, affections, etc. (cf.B. D. American edition under the word)):1 John 3:17 (on which seeκλείω);2 Corinthians 6:12;Philippians 2:1 (hereGLTTrWHεἰτίςσπλάγχνα;Buttmann, 81 (71), cf. Green 109;Lightfoot at the passage);σπλάγχναἐλέους (genitive of quality (cf.Winers Grammar, 611 (568); soTest xii. Patr., test. Zab. §§ 7, 8)), a heart in which mercy resides (heart of mercy),Luke 1:78; alsoσπλάγχναοἰκτιρμοῦ (Rec.οἰκτίρμων),Colossians 3:12;τάσπλάγχνααὐτοῦπερισσοτέρωςεἰςὑμᾶςἐστιν, his heart is the more abundantly devoted to you,2 Corinthians 7:15;ἐπιποθῶὑμᾶςἐνσπλάγχνοιςΧριστοῦἸησοῦ, in the heart (R. V.tender mercies) of Christ, i. e. prompted by the same love as Christ Jesus,Philippians 1:8;ἀναπαύειντάσπλάγχνατίνος, to refresh one's soul or heart,Philemon 1:7, 20;τάσπλάγχναἡμῶν, my very heart, i. e. whom I dearly love,Philemon 1:12 (so Darius calls his mother and childrenhis own bowels in Curt. 4, 14, 22. meum corculum,Plautus Cas. 4, 4, 14; meum cor, id. Poen. 1, 2, 154; (cf.Lightfoot on Philemon, at the passage cited)). The Hebrewרַחֲמִים is translated by theSept. nowὀικιρμοι,Psalm 24:6 ();Psalm 39:12 (), nowἔλεος,Isaiah 47:6; onceσπλάγχνα,Proverbs 12:10.
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
bowels, inward affection, tender mercy.Probably strengthened from splen (the "spleen"); an intestine (plural); figuratively, pity or sympathy -- bowels, inward affection, + tender mercy.
Forms and Transliterations
σπλαγχνα σπλάγχνα σπλαγχνοις σπλάγχνοις σπλάγχνων splanchna splánchna splanchnois splánchnoisLinks
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