The term "reins" in the Bible is often used to refer to the kidneys, but it carries a deeper metaphorical meaning related to the innermost thoughts, emotions, and moral character of a person. In the ancient Hebrew context, the reins were considered the seat of emotion and affection, much like the heart is viewed in modern Western thought. The Hebrew word for reins is "kilyah," and it appears frequently in the Old Testament, often in parallel with the heart, to denote the inner being of a person.

Biblical References:

1. Psalm 7:9 : "Bring to an end the violence of the wicked, and establish the righteous, O righteous God who searches hearts and minds." Here, "minds" is translated from the Hebrew word for reins, indicating God's ability to discern the deepest thoughts and intentions of individuals.

2. Psalm 26:2 : "Test me, O LORD, and try me, examine my heart and mind." This verse highlights the psalmist's plea for God to scrutinize his innermost being, reflecting a desire for purity and integrity.

3. Jeremiah 11:20 : "But, O LORD of Hosts, who judges righteously, who tests the heart and mind, let me see Your vengeance upon them, for to You I have committed my cause." In this passage, the prophet Jeremiah acknowledges God's role as the ultimate judge who examines the true nature of individuals.

4. Revelation 2:23 : "Then I will strike her children dead, and all the churches will know that I am the One who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds." This New Testament reference underscores the continuity of the concept of God as the one who perceives the hidden aspects of human character.

Theological Significance:

In biblical theology, the reins symbolize the core of a person's moral and spiritual life. They represent the hidden aspects of human nature that are fully known only to God. The frequent pairing of "heart" and "reins" in Scripture emphasizes the comprehensive nature of God's knowledge and judgment. While the heart is often associated with will and intention, the reins are linked to emotions and desires.

The reins' metaphorical use underscores the biblical teaching that God is not merely concerned with outward actions but with the internal motivations and affections that drive those actions. This understanding calls believers to cultivate sincerity and purity in their inner lives, knowing that God discerns the truth of their hearts and minds.

Practical Application:

For believers, the concept of God searching the reins serves as a reminder of the importance of inner holiness and integrity. It encourages self-examination and a reliance on God's grace to transform the inner person. The awareness that God knows the deepest parts of one's being can lead to a more authentic and transparent relationship with Him, fostering a life that seeks to align both outward actions and inward thoughts with His will.The kidneys, the supposed seat of the desires and affections; used metaphorically for "heart." The "reins" and the "heart" are often mentioned together, as denoting the whole moral constitution of man (Psalm 7:9; 16:7; 26:2; 139:13; Jeremiah 17:10, etc.). 1. (n. pl.) The kidneys; also, the region of the kidneys; the loins.

2. (n. pl.) The inward impulses; the affections and passions; -- so called because formerly supposed to have their seat in the part of the body where the kidneys are.

REINS

ranz (kilyah; nephros, words promiscuously translated "heart," "inward parts," "kidneys" or "reins." The latter word, which is derived from Latin "renes" through Old French "reins", has given place in modern English to the word "kidneys" (see Skeat, Concise Etymological Dictionary of the English Language, 398). the Revised Version (British and American) has, however, retained the older word, at least in the margin, in all passages in which it is found in the King James Version): According to Hebrew psychology the reins are the seat of the deepest emotions and affections of man, which God alone can fully know. Thus the Revised Version (British and American) has substituted "heart" for "reins" in the text of Job 19:27 Psalm 7:9; Psalm 16:7; Psalm 26:2; 73:21 Proverbs 23:16 Jeremiah 11:20; Jeremiah 12:2; Jeremiah 17:10; Jeremiah 20:12; the translation "inward parts" is found but once (Psalm 139:13). In one passage the King James Version has translated the Hebrew halac ("loins") with "reins" (Isaiah 11:5), where the Revised Version (British and American) has rightly substituted "waist" (which see). The Greek word nephros (which is etymologically allied to the Middle English nere, Get. Niere; see Skeat, ibid, 231, under the word "Kidney") is found in 1 Maccabees 2:24; Revelation 2:23.

See KIDNEYS.

H. L. E. Luering

3510. nephros -- a kidney, fig. the (inmost) mind
... nephros Phonetic Spelling: (nef-ros') Short Definition: a kidney as a general emotional
center Definition: a kidney (as a general emotional center), the reins. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3510.htm - 7k3629. kilyah -- a kidney
... kidneys, reins. Feminine of kliy (only in the plural); a kidney (as an essential
organ); figuratively, the mind (as the interior self) -- kidneys, reins. ...
/hebrew/3629.htm - 6k

2504. chalats -- loins
... loins, reins. From chalats (in the sense of strength); only in the dual; the loins
(as the seat of vigor) -- loins, reins. see HEBREW chalats. 2503, 2504. ...
/hebrew/2504.htm - 6k

Letter xiii. --(For 341. ) Coss. Marcellinus, Probinus; Pr??f. ...
... each one may receive of God such reward as is meet for him, as He saith by the prophet,
I am the Lord, Who trieth the hearts, and searcheth the reins, to give ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/letter xiii for 341 coss marcellinus.htm

What Nonsense is this Out of which they Fabricate a Charge against ...
... "A man of the Lord," perhaps applied to Christ. c21. To what point will not
rashness reach when once the reins which check it are relaxed? ...
/.../20 what nonsense is this.htm

The Wind Blew Loud, but Diamond Slept a Deep Sleep...
... His father changed places with him at once, putting the reins into his hands. ...
That's what I call talking to him through the reins.". ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 16 the wind blew.htm

Psalm VII.
... Let the righteous become more righteous;" he joins on the words, "And Thou shalt
direct the righteous, O God, who searcheth the hearts and reins." How then can ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm vii.htm

Home-Discipline.
... Thus does home-discipline involve the firmness of parental authority united with
the mildness of parental love. Love should hold the reins and use the rod. ...
/.../philips/the christian home/chapter xix home-discipline.htm

I Know that My Redeemer Liveth
... worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God; whom I shall see for myself,
and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/i know that my redeemer.htm

Having Proved Above that the Spirit Abides and Speaks in the ...
... God, again, searches the hearts and reins, for it is written: "God searcheth the
hearts and reins." [1421] The Son also has this power, Who said, "Why think ye ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xix having proved above.htm

Psalm CXXXIX.
... 13. "For Thou, O Lord, hast possessed my reins" (ver.13). The Possessor
is within; He occupieth not only the heart, but also the ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxxxix.htm

Man and the New Covenant.
... Like Christ he takes the deaf apart from the multitude and talks to him of himself.
O Lord, Who triest the righteous, Who seest the reins and the heart.(804). ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/2 man and the new.htm

Smith -- Assurance in God
... "I will bless the Lord, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me
in the night seasons." This man held close communion with God. ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume 10/smith assurance in god.htm

Reins (15 Occurrences)
... The kidneys, the supposed seat of the desires and affections; used metaphorically
for "heart." The "reins" and the "heart" are often mentioned together, as ...
/r/reins.htm - 13k

Kidneys (15 Occurrences)
... kid'-niz (always in the plural: kelayoth; nephroi; Latin renes, whence the English
"reins"): "Reins" and "kidneys" are synonyms, but the King James Version ...
/k/kidneys.htm - 16k

Triest (7 Occurrences)
... Psalms 7:9 Oh let the wrong of the wicked come to an end, and establish thou the
righteous man; even thou that triest the hearts and reins, the righteous God. ...
/t/triest.htm - 8k

Rekem (6 Occurrences)
... the older word, at least in the margin, in all passages in which it is found in
the King James Version): According to Hebrew psychology the reins are the seat ...
/r/rekem.htm - 11k

Tries (6 Occurrences)
... Psalms 7:9 Oh let the wrong of the wicked come to an end, and establish thou the
righteous man; even thou that triest the hearts and reins, the righteous God. ...
/t/tries.htm - 8k

Trier (5 Occurrences)
... Psalms 7:9 Let, I pray Thee be ended the evil of the wicked, And establish Thou
the righteous, And a trier of hearts and reins is the righteous God. (YLT). ...
/t/trier.htm - 8k

Rein (3 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To govern or direct with the reins; as, to rein a horse one way or another.
4. (vt) To restrain; to control; to check. 5. (vi) To be guided by reins. ...
/r/rein.htm - 7k

Asunder (37 Occurrences)
... households (Numbers 16:31). (2) (pillach): Job complains of God, "He cleaveth
my reins asunder" (Job 16:13). Cut asunder (1) (qitstsets ...
/a/asunder.htm - 22k

Uprightly (32 Occurrences)
... speaking uprightly he loveth, (YLT). Proverbs 23:16 And my reins exult
when thy lips speak uprightly. (YLT). Proverbs 28:18 Whoso ...
/u/uprightly.htm - 15k

Judgest (9 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 11:20 But, O LORD of hosts, that judgest righteously, that triest the reins
and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them: for unto thee have I ...
/j/judgest.htm - 9k

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