SPECIAL TOPIC: INWARD PARTS, BOWELS

"Inward parts" is the word for "bowels" (BDB 588, #4). The ancients believed that the lower viscera (liver, kidneys, bowels) was the seat of the emotions:

1. negative, Isa. 16:11 (used of God); Jer. 4:19 (used of Jeremiah)
2. positive, Isa. 63:15; Jer. 31:20 (used of God); also Ps. 40:8 (used of David)

The word (BDB 588) is used in several senses.

1. lower viscera ‒ 2 Sam. 20:10; 2 Chr. 21:15
2. stomach ‒ Job 20:14; Ezek. 3:3; 7:19; Jonah 1:17; 2:1; 2 Sam. 7:12; 16:11
3. sex organs
   1. male ‒ Gen. 15:4
   2. female ‒ Isa. 49:1
4. the physical location of human emotions ‒ Song of Songs 5:4,14; Isa. 16:11; 63:15; Jer. 4:19; 31:20; Lam. 2:11

There are several OT terms that are synonymous as the source of feelings.

1. "liver" (BDB 458)
2. "heart" (BDB 523; see SPECIAL TOPIC: HEART)
3. "soul" (BDB 659, nephesh, see SPECIAL TOPIC: NEPHESH)

Notice the usage in Prov. 12:10; 26:22; Jer. 28:13,51; 2 Macc. 9:5-6; 4 Macc. 10:8; Baruch 2:17.

Paul uses this imagery of the lower viscera often (cf. 2 Cor. 6:12; 7:15; Phil. 1:8; 2:1; Col. 3:12; Philemon 1:7,12,20.

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