In the Bible, the term "belly" is often used both literally and metaphorically, representing physical hunger, desires, and deeper spiritual truths. The concept of the belly is woven throughout Scripture, illustrating the human condition and the spiritual implications of our appetites and desires.

Literal Usage

The literal use of "belly" in the Bible typically refers to the physical stomach or abdomen. It is associated with hunger and the need for sustenance. For example, in the account of Jonah, the prophet is famously swallowed by a great fish, and he remains in its belly for three days and three nights (Jonah 1:17). This literal belly becomes a place of reflection and repentance for Jonah.

Metaphorical Usage

1. Desires and Appetites: The belly is often used metaphorically to describe human desires and appetites. In Philippians 3:19, Paul warns against those "whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things." Here, the belly symbolizes the pursuit of earthly pleasures and self-indulgence, contrasting with a life focused on spiritual matters.

2. Source of Emotions and Thoughts: In ancient Hebrew thought, the belly was sometimes considered the seat of emotions and thoughts. Proverbs 20:27 states, "The spirit of a man is the lamp of the LORD, searching all the innermost parts of his being." The "innermost parts" can be understood as the depths of a person's heart and mind, often associated with the belly.

3. Spiritual Nourishment: The belly is also used to illustrate spiritual nourishment and satisfaction. In John 7:38, Jesus declares, "Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." The "within him" is often interpreted as the belly, symbolizing the inner spiritual life that is nourished and sustained by faith in Christ.

Warnings Against Gluttony

The Bible frequently warns against gluttony and the excessive indulgence of the belly. Proverbs 23:20-21 advises, "Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and drowsiness will clothe them in rags." This warning highlights the dangers of allowing physical appetites to dominate one's life, leading to spiritual and material ruin.

Symbol of Judgment

In some instances, the belly is used as a symbol of judgment. In Numbers 5:27, the bitter water test for an unfaithful wife results in her belly swelling if she is guilty, serving as a divine judgment. This use underscores the seriousness of sin and the consequences that follow.

Conclusion

Throughout Scripture, the concept of the belly serves as a powerful symbol of human desires, spiritual nourishment, and divine judgment. It challenges believers to examine their own appetites and to seek fulfillment in God rather than in earthly pleasures.(n.) Plural of Belly.

The Great Slaughters and Sacrilege that were in Jerusalem.
... for there was found among the Syrian deserters a certain person who was caught
gathering pieces of gold out of the excrements of the Jews' bellies; for the ...
/.../chapter 13 the great slaughters.htm

The City of God
... The ambitious or the discontented opened the bellies of animals to learn when
the Emperor was going to die, and who would succeed him. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/ii the city of god.htm

Perils to the virgins Themselves Attendant Upon Not-Veiling.
... therefore, while they do not cover their head, in order that they may be solicited
for the sake of glory, they are forced to cover their bellies by the ruin ...
/.../tertullian/on the veiling of virgins/chapter xiv perils to the virgins.htm

Motives to the Oversight of the Flock
... To be a bishop, or pastor, is not to be set up as an idol for the people to bow
to, or as idle slow bellies,' to live to our fleshly delight and ease; but it ...
//christianbookshelf.org/baxter/the reformed pastor/section 3 motives to.htm

Frugality a Good Provision for the Christian.
... one belly? The filthiness of gluttony is proved by the sewers into which
our bellies discharge the refuse of our food. For what ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter vii frugality a good provision.htm

Some Other Memorable Places of the City.
... be performed, they are brought with the like care and curiosity to the place, where
the thing is to be done, riding upon oxen, because their bellies, being so ...
/.../lightfoot/from the talmud and hebraica/chapter 35 some other memorable.htm

Rom. xvi. 17, 18
... For in writing to Titus too, he said of them, "Evil beasts, slow bellies." (Titus
1:12, see v.10.) And Christ also blames them on this head: "Ye devour widows ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxxii rom xvi 17.htm

Titus i. 14-Dec
... Titus i.12-14 "One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians
are always liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. This witness is true. ...
/.../homily iii titus i 14-dec.htm

John vi. 28-30
... only that of the manna? Was it not because they greatly desired that one
by reason of the tyranny of their bellies? Ye who when ye ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xlv john vi 28-30.htm

John vi. 41, 42
... For when He gave them bread, and filled their bellies, they said that He was a Prophet,
and sought to make Him a King: but when He taught them concerning ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xlvi john vi 41.htm

Bellies (2 Occurrences)
...Bellies (2 Occurrences). ... (WEY). Titus 1:12 One of themselves, even a prophet of their
own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. ...
/b/bellies.htm - 7k

Glutton (4 Occurrences)
... The Revised Version has "idle gluttons" (margin Greek, "bellies") for "slow bellies"
(Titus 1:12); "gluttonous" "gluttons," for "riotous" (Proverbs 23:20 ...
/g/glutton.htm - 10k

Gluttonous (4 Occurrences)
... The Revised Version has "idle gluttons" (margin Greek, "bellies") for "slow bellies"
(Titus 1:12); "gluttonous" "gluttons," for "riotous" (Proverbs 23:20 ...
/g/gluttonous.htm - 9k

Slow (43 Occurrences)
... The Wisdom of Solomon 15:15, "slow to go" (the Revised Version (British and American)
"helpless for walking"), and in Titus 1:12, "slow bellies" (the Revised ...
/s/slow.htm - 21k

Bell (3 Occurrences)

/b/bell.htm - 10k

Devoted (72 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Philippians 3:19 Their end is destruction, their bellies are their God, their
glory is in their shame, and their minds are devoted to earthly things. ...
/d/devoted.htm - 29k

Bellow (2 Occurrences)

/b/bellow.htm - 7k

Cretians (1 Occurrence)
... Cretians (1 Occurrence). Titus 1:12 One of themselves, even a prophet of their own,
said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. (KJV WBS). ...
/c/cretians.htm - 6k

Crete (7 Occurrences)
... in Paul's quotation from "one of their own poets" (Epimenides) in his epistle to
Titus: "The Cretans are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies" (Titus 1:12). ...
/c/crete.htm - 19k

Minds (137 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Philippians 3:19 Their end is destruction, their bellies are their God, their
glory is in their shame, and their minds are devoted to earthly things. ...
/m/minds.htm - 36k

Bellies: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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