In the Bible, the term "intestines" is often referred to in the context of sacrificial practices, health, and metaphorical language. The intestines, or inner parts, are mentioned in various passages, highlighting their significance in ancient Hebrew culture and religious practices.

Sacrificial Practices:

In the Old Testament, the intestines of sacrificial animals were an important part of the offerings made to God. The Levitical laws provided detailed instructions on how sacrifices were to be conducted, including the handling of the animal's inner parts. For instance, in Leviticus 3:3-4 , it is stated: "From the peace offering, he is to present an offering made by fire to the LORD: the fat that covers the entrails and all the fat that is on them, both kidneys with the fat on them near the loins, and the lobe of the liver, which he is to remove with the kidneys." This passage underscores the importance of the intestines and other inner parts in the ritualistic offerings, symbolizing the offering of one's innermost being to God.

Health and Healing:

The Bible also touches on the health and well-being of the intestines in a more general sense. In ancient times, the health of one's inner parts was often seen as indicative of overall well-being. While the Bible does not provide detailed medical advice, it does reflect the understanding of the time that the health of the intestines was crucial. For example, in Proverbs 20:27 , it is written: "The spirit of a man is the lamp of the LORD, searching out his inmost being." This verse metaphorically connects the physical and spiritual health, suggesting that just as the spirit searches the inmost being, so too should one be mindful of their physical health.

Metaphorical Language:

The intestines are also used metaphorically in the Bible to describe deep emotions and inner turmoil. In ancient Hebrew thought, the intestines were considered the seat of emotions and feelings, much like the heart is viewed in modern Western thought. This is evident in passages such as Lamentations 1:20 , where the prophet Jeremiah laments, "See, O LORD, how distressed I am! I am in torment within; my heart is overturned, for I have been most rebellious." Here, the expression of being in torment within can be understood as a reference to the deep emotional pain felt in one's innermost being.

Symbolism and Spiritual Insight:

The intestines, as part of the sacrificial system, also carry symbolic meaning in the context of purity and dedication to God. The meticulous care with which the Israelites were instructed to handle the inner parts of the sacrificial animals reflects the broader biblical theme of holiness and the call to offer one's whole self to God. This symbolism is echoed in the New Testament, where believers are encouraged to present their bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God (Romans 12:1).

In summary, the intestines in the Bible are significant both in the literal sense, as part of the sacrificial system, and in the metaphorical sense, as a representation of deep emotions and spiritual introspection. The biblical references to intestines highlight the importance of purity, health, and the offering of one's innermost being to God.(n.) Plural of Intestine.4698. splagchnon -- the inward parts (heart, liver, lungs, etc.) ...
... the emotions NASB Word Usage affection (3), affections (1), heart (4), hearts (1),
intestines (1), tender (1). bowels, inward affection, tender mercy. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4698.htm - 7k3894. lechum -- intestines, bowels
... 3893, 3894. lechum. 3895 . intestines, bowels. Transliteration: lechum
Phonetic Spelling: (law-khoom') Short Definition: eating. ...
/hebrew/3894.htm - 6k

4578. meeh -- internal organs, inward parts, belly
... From an unused root probably meaning to be soft; used only in plural the intestines,
or (collectively) the abdomen, figuratively, sympathy; by implication, a ...
/hebrew/4578.htm - 6k

4374. mekasseh -- a covering
... kacah; a covering, ie Garment; specifically, a coverlet (for a bed), an awning
(from the sun); also the omentum (as covering the intestines) -- clothing, to ...
/hebrew/4374.htm - 6k

Of the Intestines in Man, and their Use.
... Chap. XI."Of the Intestines in Man, and Their Use. It necessarily follows
that I should begin to speak of the inward parts also ...
/.../lactantius/on the workmanship of god/chap xi of the intestines in.htm

The Intestines.
... Book VIII. Chapter XXXI."The Intestines. "What reason also is employed
in the intestines, which are arranged in long circular ...
/.../unknown/recognitions of clement /chapter xxxi the intestines.htm

Of the Unknown Purpose of Some of the Intestines.
... Chap. XIV."Of the Unknown Purpose of Some of the Intestines. It is evident
that there are many things in the body, the force and ...
/.../lactantius/on the workmanship of god/chap xiv of the unknown purpose.htm

Chap. xxxiii. And Now, when Galerius was in the Eighteenth Year of ...
... administer medicines. The humours having been repelled, the distemper attacked
his intestines, and worms were generated in his body. The ...
/.../of the manner in which the persecutors died/chap xxxiii and now when.htm

A Rationale of Sleep, of Yawning, and of Dreams .
... food being given him in too great quantity for his strength, kept crying out and
finding fault with those who were about him for filling intestines with dung ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/xiii a rationale of sleep.htm

Pagan Shrines and Temples.
... always the property of the temple.[37] In the above tariff two prices are charged:
a smaller one for ordinary sacrifices, when only the intestines were burnt ...
/.../lanciani/pagan and christian rome/chapter ii pagan shrines and.htm

On the Workmanship of God
... Chap. XI.--Of the Intestines in Man, and Their Use. Chap. ... XIII.--Of the Lower Members.
Chap. XIV.--Of the Unknown Purpose of Some of the Intestines. Chap. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lactantius/on the workmanship of god/

The Series of Changes we Can Now Trace in Man Renders a ...
... or of masses, which in this way arise and become consolidated"I mean of bones, and
nerves, and cartilages, of muscles too, and flesh, and intestines, and the ...
/.../chapter xvii the series of changes.htm

The Two Kinds of Spirits.
... of dignity in it, and the eye is one thing, and another the ear, and another the
arrangement of the hair and the distribution of the intestines, and the ...
/.../tatian/tatians address to the greeks/chapter xii the two kinds of.htm

Having Thus Attained to the Highest Power, He Bent his Mind to ...
... At length they did expire, when, after many hours, the violent heat had
consumed their skin and penetrated into their intestines. ...
/.../of the manner in which the persecutors died/chap xxi having thus attained.htm

Intestines (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) Plural of Intestine. Multi-Version Concordance
Intestines (2 Occurrences). Acts 1:18 Now this man ...
/i/intestines.htm - 7k

Windy (3 Occurrences)
... 4. (superl.) Serving to occasion wind or gas in the intestines; flatulent; as, windy
food. 5. (superl.) Attended or caused by wind, or gas, in the intestines. ...
/w/windy.htm - 7k

Purge (35 Occurrences)
... 8. (vi) To become pure, as by clarification. 9. (vi) To have or produce frequent
evacuations from the intestines, as by means of a cathartic. 10. ...
/p/purge.htm - 22k

Belly (62 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) That part of the human body which extends downward from the breast to
the thighs, and contains the bowels, or intestines; the abdomen. ...
/b/belly.htm - 28k

Clean (298 Occurrences)
... The Hebrews were prohibited from using as food certain animal substances, such as
(1) blood; (2) the fat covering the intestines, termed the caul; (3) the fat ...
/c/clean.htm - 44k

Intimate (12 Occurrences)

/i/intimate.htm - 9k

Obtained (61 Occurrences)
... Acts 1:18 Now this man obtained a field with the reward for his wickedness, and
falling headlong, his body burst open, and all his intestines gushed out. ...
/o/obtained.htm - 25k

Gushed (6 Occurrences)
... Acts 1:18 Now this man obtained a field with the reward for his wickedness, and
falling headlong, his body burst open, and all his intestines gushed out. ...
/g/gushed.htm - 8k

Wind (180 Occurrences)
... 17. (n.) A disease of sheep, in which the intestines are distended with
air, or rather affected with a violent inflammation. It ...
/w/wind.htm - 45k

Interwoven (2 Occurrences)

/i/interwoven.htm - 7k

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