What Does ‘Bowels’ Mean In The Bible? A Comprehensive Look

The Bible contains many archaic words and phrases that can be confusing for modern readers. One such word is ‘bowels’, which appears over 40 times in the King James Version of the Bible. If you’ve come across this odd term while reading Scripture and wondered what it means, you’re not alone!

In short, in the Bible, ‘bowels’ is mostly used figuratively to refer to the deepest emotions, compassions, and affections of a person. But to fully understand this word and how it’s used, we need to dig deeper into its historical meaning and biblical context.

The Literal and Figurative Meaning of ‘Bowels’ in Ancient Times

The Literal Meaning of ‘Bowels’

In ancient times, the word “bowels” was used to refer literally to a person’s intestines or internal organs. The bowels were seen as the seat of digestion and waste elimination. Mentions of “bowels” in the Bible use the term in this literal, anatomical sense.

For example, 2 Samuel 20:10 describes how Amasa’s bowels “gushed out” after being stabbed in the stomach. His intestines spilled out from the mortal wound. The bowels were also sometimes seen as the location of certain illnesses, like when Herod’s bowels were “consumed with worms” in Acts 12:23.

So in their most literal sense, the “bowels” in the Bible refer to the intestines and other internal organs located in the abdomen. The bowels were known as the place where food was digested and waste matter was excreted from the body.

Violent injuries that pierced the bowels would cause the intestines to spill out, as in the case of Amasa’s graphic death. Diseases seen as originating in the bowels would also affect these internal organs.

The Figurative Meaning of ‘Bowels’ as Seat of Emotions

In addition to the literal anatomical meaning, “bowels” was also used figuratively to refer to a person’s deepest emotions and feelings. This figurative usage stems from the bowels being seen as the seat of compassion, pity, and other strong emotions.

For instance, 1 Kings 3:26 describes how the bowels of a mother moved for her son, representing her deep maternal love and compassion. The bowels were seen as the place where emotions “churned” when a person felt grief, anxiety, or other strong feelings.

So when the Bible speaks of the bowels moving, burning, or being troubled, it means a person’s deepest passions and emotions are stirred.

This metaphorical use of “bowels” carried over into early modern English. Shakespeare used phrases like “my bowels shall sound for him” to convey heartfelt love and compassion. So the figurative meaning signifies the bowels as the center of visceral emotions and sympathy in a person.

How ‘Bowels’ Is Used in the Bible

‘Bowels’ Referring to Mercy and Compassion

In the Bible, the word “bowels” often refers metaphorically to mercy, pity, and compassion. For example, 1 John 3:17 (KJV) states: “But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?”

This verse urges believers to show compassion to those in need.

Another example is Philemon 1:7 (KJV), where Paul writes: “For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.” Paul is saying Philemon’s love and compassion brought joy and comfort to believers.

‘Bowels’ Referring to Anguish and Suffering

The Bible also uses “bowels” to convey deep anguish, distress, or suffering. Jeremiah 4:19 (KJV) states: “My bowels, my bowels! I am pained at my very heart; my heart maketh a noise in me…” Here, Jeremiah expresses agony over Judah’s coming destruction.

Similarly, Isaiah 16:11 (KJV) describes Moab’s profound anguish: “Wherefore my bowels shall sound like an harp for Moab, and mine inward parts for Kirharesh.” The destruction of Moab brought immense suffering.

‘Bowels’ Referring to Deep Affection and Love

“Bowels” is also used to signify deep, tender human affection and love. Song of Solomon 5:4 (KJV) poetically speaks of this love: “My beloved put in his hand by the hole of the door, and my bowels were moved for him.” The woman’s heart stirs with affection for her lover.

Another example is Philemon 1:12 (KJV), where Paul writes: “Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels.” Calling Onesimus his “bowels” expresses Paul’s deep fatherly love for him.

Jesus’s References to ‘Bowels’ in the Gospels

In the Gospels, Jesus uses the term “bowels” a few times, typically in a metaphorical way to refer to deep inner feelings and compassion. Here are some key examples:

The Parable of the Prodigal Son

In the famous parable recorded in Luke 15, Jesus tells of a wayward son who squanders his inheritance but later returns home. The father welcomes him back enthusiastically:

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.” (Luke 15:20)

The Greek word translated here as “compassion” is splagchnizomai, which literally means “to be moved in one’s bowels.” So the father felt deep inner stirring and love for his lost son.

“Moved with Compassion”

In several passages, Jesus is described as being “moved with compassion” using the same term splagchnizomai when he sees people in need:

• “When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.” (Matthew 14:14)
• “And Jesus called his disciples to him and said, ‘I have compassion on the crowd because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat. And I am unwilling to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way.'” (Matthew 15:32)

So Jesus often felt deep empathy and care that stirred him to action when he encountered human brokenness and need.

Parable of the Good Samaritan

Finally, the Parable of the Good Samaritan contains the command to “Go and do likewise” after describing how the Samaritan cared for the injured man.mercy on him.” Here, the Greek word for mercy is related to the term for bowels or intestines.

So showing biblical “mercy” implies deep, gut-level compassion, not just surface-level pity. Jesus holds up the empathetic Samaritan as an example for us.

Paul’s Frequent Use of ‘Bowels’ in His Letters

The apostle Paul uses the term “bowels” frequently in his New Testament letters, especially when expressing tender affections and compassion. The word translated as “bowels” in the King James Version comes from the Greek word σπλάγχνον (splagchnon).

The Meaning of Splagchnon

In Greek, splagchnon refers to the inner organs of the body, particularly the heart, liver, lungs and intestines. Figuratively, it signifies the seat of emotions, much like the heart in modern English. For Paul, having splagchnon meant having deep empathy, affection and compassion for others.

Examples in Paul’s Letters

Here are some examples of Paul using “bowels” in his letters:

• “I call God as witness upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth. Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.” (2 Cor 1:23-24)
• “I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.” (2 Cor 8:8)
• “My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you, I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you.” (Gal 4:19-20)
• “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.” (Col 3:12-13)

In these verses, Paul expresses his care and concern for the churches he wrote to. He portrays himself as a spiritual parent who was in anguish over their spiritual state. This figures greatly into Paul’s apostolic authority and pastoral heart for his readers.

Bowels as Seat of Emotions

We see from Paul’s letters that the bowels were considered the seat of tender emotions and compassion. He uses “bowels” as synonymous with mercy, kindness, humility, meekness and forgiveness. This metaphor was easily understood in ancient Middle Eastern culture.

The bowels also represented pain and anguish. Paul speaks of his “great heaviness and continual sorrow in his heart” for unbelieving Israelites (Rom 9:2). Using bowel imagery, he expresses deep empathy for their lost state. The splagchnon carries the grief.

A Foreign Concept Today

Talking about bowels seems quite foreign to modern readers. We view bowels in more physical terms related to digestion and abdomen. But recognizing Paul’s meaning removes that disconnect. He uses bowel language to convey genuine care and compassion for fellow believers.

It signifies a ministry that deeply touched his inner being.

Appearances of ‘Bowels’ Throughout the Old and New Testaments

The word “bowels” appears numerous times throughout both the Old and New Testaments in the Bible. In most instances, it is used figuratively to represent the innermost parts, feelings, or compassion of a person. Here is a comprehensive look at some of the key appearances of this term:

Old Testament Usages

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word commonly translated as “bowels” is me’eh. This word often refers to the physical intestines or inward parts of the body, but is also used in an emotional sense.

• Genesis 25:23 – The bowels of Rebekah trembled as the twins struggled within her womb, indicating emotional turmoil.
• 2 Samuel 20:10 – Joab stabbed Amasa in the belly/bowels, causing his intestines to spill out.
• Jeremiah 4:19 – Jeremiah speaks of his “very heart” and bowels being pained, showing deep inner turmoil.
• Lamentations 1:20 – The writer’s bowels are troubled, representing great distress.
• Isaiah 16:11 – The Lord speaks of his bowels sounding like a harp, picturing deep grief.

In these verses, bowels frequently represent the seat of deep emotions and feelings in a person’s inner being.

New Testament Usages

In the Greek New Testament, the word for “bowels” is splagchnon. As in the Old Testament, it refers physically to the inward parts of the body but more often is used metaphorically.

• Acts 1:18 – Judas’ bowels gushed out when he fell headlong and burst open.
• Philippians 1:8 – Paul longs for the Philippians with the bowels of Jesus, meaning tender love and compassion.
• Philippians 2:1 – Paul appeals to the Philippians with the bowels of compassion, exhorting tender care.
• Colossians 3:12 – Believers are urged to clothe themselves with bowels of mercy, kindness, and humility.
• 1 John 3:17 – If someone has material needs and we shut up our bowels, it indicates a lack of compassion.

These New Testament verses demonstrate that bowels frequently represent the tender affections, love, mercy, and compassion that should reside within God’s people.

Conclusion

To summarize, the term ‘bowels’ in the King James Bible generally refers figuratively to the deepest feelings and emotions of a person, whether of love, compassion, sorrow, or anguish. This meaning stems from the ancient view of the bowels as the seat of such feelings.

So next time you come across this odd-sounding word in Scripture, remember it’s not referring to our literal intestines! Instead, it signifies the most tender mercies and passionate affections of the inner person.

With this understanding, we can better grasp the original intent and meaning of biblical passages using ‘bowels’.