Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical literature, the term "bowels" is often used metaphorically to describe the innermost parts of a person, encompassing emotions, affections, and deep-seated feelings. The term is derived from the Hebrew word "מֵעֶה" (me'eh) and the Greek word "σπλάγχνα" (splanchna), both of which can refer to the physical intestines or internal organs, but are frequently used in a figurative sense to denote the seat of emotions and compassion.
Old Testament UsageIn the Old Testament, "bowels" are frequently associated with deep emotional experiences. For instance, in
Genesis 43:30, Joseph's "bowels did yearn upon his brother" , indicating a profound emotional response upon seeing Benjamin. Similarly, in
Isaiah 63:15, the prophet appeals to God, asking, "Where are Your zeal and Your might? Your tenderness and compassion are withheld from us" , where "tenderness and compassion" are linked to the concept of bowels, emphasizing God's deep emotional connection to His people.
The use of "bowels" in the Old Testament often highlights the intensity of human emotions, such as love, compassion, and sorrow. In
Lamentations 1:20, the author laments, "See, O LORD, how distressed I am! I am in torment within, and in my heart I am disturbed" , where the distress is described as being felt in the bowels, underscoring the depth of the emotional turmoil.
New Testament UsageIn the New Testament, the Greek term "σπλάγχνα" is similarly used to convey deep emotions. In
Philippians 1:8, Paul writes, "For God is my witness how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus" , where "affection" is translated from "σπλάγχνα," indicating a profound, Christ-like love and compassion.
The concept of bowels as the seat of emotions is further illustrated in 1
John 3:17, which states, "If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?" . Here, "pity" is derived from the idea of bowels, suggesting that true Christian love and compassion should be deeply felt and lead to action.
Theological ImplicationsThe metaphorical use of "bowels" in Scripture underscores the biblical understanding of human emotions as integral to one's spiritual and moral life. It reflects the belief that emotions are not merely superficial feelings but are deeply rooted in the core of one's being, influencing actions and relationships.
In a theological context, the use of "bowels" to describe God's compassion and mercy highlights the depth of His love for humanity. This is evident in passages like
Colossians 3:12, which exhorts believers to "put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience" , where "heart of compassion" is linked to the concept of bowels, encouraging Christians to emulate the deep, compassionate love of God in their interactions with others.
Overall, the biblical use of "bowels" serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of genuine, heartfelt emotions in the life of faith, calling believers to embody the deep compassion and love exemplified by Christ.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
(
Philippians 1:8;
2:1;
Colossians 3:12), compassionate feelings; R.V., "tender mercies."
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
BOWELSbou'-elz (me`ah, plural me`im, rechem, plural rachamim; splagchnion):
(1) Literal: The literal meaning of these words is intestines, then the abdomen, the womb (matrix and uterus). As will be seen there is not much definiteness in the use of these expressions from the standpoint of physiology; but not less so than in modern oriental languages and even in many occidental languages, as popularly used. The remarkable phrases used in2 Chronicles 21:18, 19, "Yahweh smote him in his bowels" and "His bowels fell out by reason of his sickness," refer to a severe and fatal case of hemorrh oids.
(2) Figurative: In figurative language these words denote deep emotions of various kinds. As in physiology we speak of the "nervus sympathicus," the ancients expressed by these terms "affection," "sympathy" and "mercy," feelings of distress and sorrow, as inJob 30:27 the King James Version;Lamentations 1:20 the King James Version;Lamentations 2:11 the King James Version. In one passage we have to translate me`im by "heart," being the seat of affection and devotion (Psalm 71:6): "Thy law is within my heart" (Psalm 40:8). In the New Testament (Revised Version) the word is only given inActs 1:18.
H. L. E. Luering
Greek
4698. splagchnon -- the inward parts (heart, liver, lungs, etc.)...... the emotions. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: splagchnon Phonetic
Spelling: (splangkh'-non) Short Definition:
bowels, compassion, pity Definition
...4697. splagchnizomai -- to be moved in the inward parts, ie to...
... have compassion. Middle voice from splagchnon; to have thebowels yearn, ie
(figuratively) feel sympathy, to pity -- have (be moved with) compassion....
Strong's Hebrew
3894. lechum -- intestines,bowels... 3893, 3894. lechum. 3895 . intestines,
bowels. Transliteration: lechum
Phonetic Spelling: (law-khoom') Short Definition: eating.
...4578. meeh -- internal organs, inward parts, belly
... Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition internal organs, inward parts, belly
NASB Word Usage abdomen (1), body (4),bowels (4), children* (1), feelings...
7130. qereb -- inward part, midst
... land (2). among, before,bowels, unto charge, eat up, heart, him, in,. From
qarab; properly, the nearest part, ie The center, whether...
2716. chere -- dung
... excrement, dung. From an unused (and vulgar) root probably meaning to evacuate the
bowels: excrement; -dung. Also chariy {khar-ee'}. 2715, 2716. chere. 2717...
4577. meah -- belly
... belly. (Aramaic) or m(ae (Aramaic) {meh-aw'}; corresponding to me'ah; only in plural
thebowels -- belly. see HEBREW me'ah. 4576, 4577. meah or mea. 4578 ....
7356. racham -- compassion
... From racham; compassion (in the plural); by extension, the womb (as cherishing the
fetus); by implication, a maiden --bowels, compassion, damsel, tender love...
Library
My Beloved Put in his Hand through the Opening, and MyBowels...
... CHAPTER V. 4. My beloved put in his hand through the opening, and mybowels
thrilled at his touch. The Well-beloved, notwithstanding...
Can the Duelist, who had Rather Sheathe his Sword in theBowels of...
... Address 187: Can the duelist, who had rather sheathe his sword in thebowels
of his brother? Can the duelist, who had rather sheathe...
John Chapter iii. 21-Jun
... But be he fresh from the womb, or now in years, he cannot possibly return
again into the mother'sbowels and be born. But just as...
Philippians i. 11-Aug
... of Christ," as though he had said, "having become as a father to you through the
relationship which is in Christ." For this imparts to usbowels [541] warm and...
Spiritual Hunger Shall be Satisfied
... dies. God has morebowels than to suffer an hungry soul to be famished.... gospel.
Oh the melting of God'sbowels to an hungry sinner!...
The Testament of Zebulun Concerning Compassion and Mercy.
... And Joseph fell upon his face, and said unto them, Pity me, my brethren, have
compassion upon thebowels of Jacob our father: lay not upon me your hands to...
Psalm LVIII.
... as yet, conceived thou hast been: from that very time when thou hast received the
name of Christ, by a sort of sacrament thou hast been born in thebowels of a...
Concerning the Wickedness of Jehoram King O Jerusalem; his Defeat...
... the destruction of his people, with the corruption of the king's own wives and children;
and that he should himself die of a distemper in hisbowels, with long...
Arius is Charged with the First of the Above-Mentioned Errors...
... John, who lay on Christ's bosom, or Arius, wallowing amid the outgush of his very
bowels?"so wallowing that we might understand how Arius in his teaching...
St. Ambrose Teaches Out of the Prophet Isaiah what they must do...
... learn how they ought to carry it out, with what zeal, with what affection, with
what intention of mind, with what shaking of the inmostbowels, with what...
Thesaurus
Bowels (40 Occurrences)... mercies.". Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
BOWELS. bou'-elz
... 18. HLE Luering.
Multi-Version Concordance
Bowels (40 Occurrences). Luke 1
...Body (562 Occurrences)
... Various terms were employed, each of which denotes only one part or element of the
physical nature, such as "trunk," "bones," "belly," "bowels," "reins," "flesh...
Sound (1245 Occurrences)
... sound: In Isaiah 63:15 the King James Version has "the sounding of thybowels,"
a painfully literal translation of hamon me'eykha, with the similar phrase, "my...
Compassion (145 Occurrences)
... 15; Psalm 111:4; 112:04:00; 145:8), is rendered by the American Standard Revised
Version "merciful." We have splagchnizomai, "to have thebowels yearning," in...
Boil (29 Occurrences)
... 6:29 Ezekiel 46:20, 24 bis); of rathach, "to be hot," "to boil," "to be made to
boil," "to be greatly moved" under strong emotion (thebowels), Hiphil "to...
Tender (66 Occurrences)
... tender love" in Daniel 1:9, the Revised Version (British and American) "compassion"),
English Versions of the Bible translate rachamim, "bowels," by "tender...
Belly (62 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) That part of the human body which extends downward from the breast to
the thighs, and contains thebowels, or intestines; the abdomen....
Pitiful (5 Occurrences)
... pit'-i-fool: As found in Scripture, means "full of pity"; it is expressed by rachamani,
from rachamim (plural of racham), "bowels," "compassion" (Lamentations 4...
Clamour (5 Occurrences)
... all malice: (KJV DBY YLT). Jeremiah 4:19 Mybowels! mybowels! I am in travail!
Oh, the walls of my heart! My heart maketh a noise...
Abdomen (4 Occurrences)
... pelvis. Also, the cavity of the belly, which is lined by the peritoneum,
and contains the stomach,bowels, and other viscera. In...
Resources
How did Elijah send a letter to King Jehoram, if Elijah had already been taken to heaven? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the story of Elijah and Elisha? | GotQuestions.orgHow does the translation process impact the inspiration, inerrancy, and infallibility of the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgBowels: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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