Maciejowski Bible - Morgan Library & Museum MS M.638, fol. 12rUnknown · 2020–07

Bowels

/BOW-ulz/

Summary

The internal organs, used in Scripture as the seat of deep emotions including tenderness, compassion, and distress.

☩Seat of Emotions

In Hebrew thought, the bowels (internal organs) were considered the seat of tender emotions, mercy, and compassion. Expressions like 'bowels of mercy' and 'my bowels are troubled' refer to deep emotional responses. This is similar to how we use 'heart' in modern English.

Key verses:Genesis 43:30Jeremiah 31:20Philippians 1:8Colossians 3:121 John 3:17

☩Literal Usage

The term also appears literally, as in the fatal illness of King Jehoram and the death of Judas.

Key verses:2 Chronicles 21:15-20Acts 1:18

Related Verses37 mentions

2 Chronicles· 4 verses

21:15 21:18 21:19 32:21

Isaiah· 4 verses

16:11 48:19 49:1 63:15

Genesis· 3 verses

15:4 25:23 43:30

Psalms· 3 verses

22:14 71:6 109:18

References

1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Bowels," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. I (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
2.George Morrish, "Bowels," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
3.James Orr (ed.), "Bowels," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. I (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).