The term "disembowelled" refers to the act of removing the internal organs, particularly the intestines, from a body. While the Bible does not frequently describe this act explicitly, the concept is related to various instances of violence, judgment, and sacrificial practices found within the Scriptures.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the act of disembowelment is not directly mentioned, but the removal of entrails is implied in the context of animal sacrifices. The Levitical laws provided detailed instructions on how sacrifices were to be conducted, including the handling of internal organs. For example, in Leviticus 1:9 , it is stated, "The entrails and legs must be washed with water, and the priest shall burn all of it on the altar as a burnt offering, an offering made by fire, a pleasing aroma to the LORD." This indicates the careful treatment of the entrails during sacrificial rituals, which were central to the worship practices of ancient Israel.

Instances of Violence and Judgment

The Bible contains narratives of violence and judgment where the imagery of disembowelment might be inferred. In Judges 3:21-22 , the account of Ehud and Eglon provides a vivid description of a violent act: "And Ehud reached with his left hand, drew the sword from his right thigh, and plunged it into Eglon’s belly. Even the handle sank in after the blade, and Eglon’s fat closed over it so that Ehud did not withdraw the sword. And the dung came out." While not explicitly stating disembowelment, the graphic nature of the description suggests a violent penetration of the body, resulting in the expulsion of internal contents.

Prophetic Imagery

Prophetic literature sometimes uses graphic imagery to convey messages of judgment and destruction. In Hosea 13:16 , the prophet declares, "Samaria will bear her guilt because she has rebelled against her God. They will fall by the sword; their little ones will be dashed to pieces, and their pregnant women ripped open." This passage, while not directly mentioning disembowelment, uses the imagery of violent death and destruction as a metaphor for the severe consequences of Israel's unfaithfulness to God.

Symbolism and Theological Implications

The concept of disembowelment, while not a central theme in the Bible, can be understood symbolically in the context of judgment and the seriousness of sin. The graphic nature of such imagery serves to underscore the gravity of rebellion against God and the severe consequences that follow. In a broader theological sense, the sacrificial system, which involved the handling of entrails, points to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, whose death fulfilled the requirements of the law and provided atonement for sin.

Conclusion

While the Bible does not frequently describe disembowelment explicitly, the concept is present in the context of sacrificial practices, narratives of violence, and prophetic imagery. These instances serve to highlight the seriousness of sin, the reality of divine judgment, and the ultimate hope found in the sacrificial work of Christ.

The Eighteenth Theban Dynasty --(Continued)
... had begun to break through the ranks, when Amenemhabi, an officer of the guard,
leaped to the ground, and, running up to the creature, disembowelled it with a ...
/.../chapter ithe eighteenth theban dynastycontinued.htm

Letter Xlii. To Marcella.
... [895] It must be proved to Novatian, therefore, that the sin which shall never be
forgiven is not the blasphemy of men disembowelled by torture who in their ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter xlii to marcella.htm

Letter Lxxxviii. To Theophilus.
... The old serpent [2621] hisses no longer, but, writhing and disembowelled,
lurks in dark caverns unable to bear the shining of the sun. ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter lxxxviii to theophilus.htm

I Panted after Honours, Gains, Marriage; and Thou Deridedst Me. .. ...
... Yea, and so was he then beyond me: for he verily was the happier; not only for that
he was thoroughly drenched in mirth, I disembowelled with cares: but he, by ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter vi i panted after.htm

Of the Number and Character of the Deeds done by Pagans against ...
... At Askalon and at Gaza, cities of Palestine, men of priestly rank and women who
had lived all their lives in virginity were disembowelled, filled with barley ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/chapter iii of the number and.htm

Of the Civil War Between Marius and Sylla.
... were assassinated in their own houses; the two Crassi, father and son, were murdered
in one another's sight; Bebius and Numitorius were disembowelled by being ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 27 of the civil war.htm

Treatise v. An Address to Demetrianus.
... The layers of marble are dug out in less quantity from the disembowelled and wearied
mountains; the diminished quantities of gold and silver suggest the early ...
/.../cyprian/the treatises of cyprian/treatise v an address to.htm

The Gods of Egypt
... This being determined, others bound the divine victim, cut its throat, disembowelled
it, cut up its carcass, cast the joints into a pot, and superintended ...
/.../chapter ii the gods of egypt.htm

Disembowelled (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Disembowelled (1 Occurrence). Acts 1:18 (Now having
bought a piece of ground with the money paid for his ...
/d/disembowelled.htm - 6k

Downwards (2 Occurrences)
... bought a piece of ground with the money paid for his wickedness he fell there with
his face downwards, and, his body bursting open, he became disembowelled. ...
/d/downwards.htm - 7k

Disesteem (4 Occurrences)

/d/disesteem.htm - 8k

Paid (86 Occurrences)
... bought a piece of ground with the money paid for his wickedness he fell there with
his face downwards, and, his body bursting open, he became disembowelled. ...
/p/paid.htm - 30k

Bought (66 Occurrences)
... bought a piece of ground with the money paid for his wickedness he fell there with
his face downwards, and, his body bursting open, he became disembowelled. ...
/b/bought.htm - 28k

Bursting (22 Occurrences)
... bought a piece of ground with the money paid for his wickedness he fell there with
his face downwards, and, his body bursting open, he became disembowelled. ...
/b/bursting.htm - 13k

Diseases (38 Occurrences)

/d/diseases.htm - 25k

Piece (93 Occurrences)
... bought a piece of ground with the money paid for his wickedness he fell there with
his face downwards, and, his body bursting open, he became disembowelled. ...
/p/piece.htm - 40k

Fell (331 Occurrences)
... bought a piece of ground with the money paid for his wickedness he fell there with
his face downwards, and, his body bursting open, he became disembowelled. ...
/f/fell.htm - 36k

Face (780 Occurrences)
... bought a piece of ground with the money paid for his wickedness he fell there with
his face downwards, and, his body bursting open, he became disembowelled. ...
/f/face.htm - 47k

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