<strong>BOWELS.</strong> In the KJV the word occurs thirty-six times and in three principal senses:<br /><br />

1. Literally (<bibleref ref="2Chr.21.15-2Chr.21.19">2Chr.21.15-2Chr.21.19</bibleref>; <bibleref ref="Acts.1.18">Acts.1.18</bibleref>).

2. As the generative parts of the body, whether male or female (<bibleref ref="Gen.15.4">Gen.15.4</bibleref>; <bibleref ref="Ps.71.6">Ps.71.6</bibleref>).<br /><br />

3. The seat of the emotions, as we use the word “heart.” See <bibleref ref="Lam.1.20">Lam.1.20</bibleref> (<span class="small-caps">asv, niv</span> “heart”); <bibleref ref="Phil.1.8">Phil.1.8</bibleref>(<span class="small-caps">asv</span> “tender mercies”; <span class="small-caps">niv</span> “affection”).<br /><br />

In the NT the psychosomatic use was common, as represented by the Gr. word <em>splanchnizomai</em>, “to feel pity,” “be compassionate” (cf. <bibleref ref="Luke.10.33">Luke 10:33</bibleref>; <bibleref ref="Phil.1.8">Phil 1:8</bibleref>; <bibleref ref="1John.3.17">1 John 3:17</bibleref>). The KJV rendering “bowels of mercies” (<bibleref ref="Col.3.12">Col 3:12</bibleref>) reflects metaphorical OT usage.<br /><br />

<h2>International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (1915)</h2>

(me`ah, plural me`im, rechem, plural rachamim; splagchnion):<br /><br />

(1) Literal: The literal meaning of these words is intestines, then the abdomen, the womb (matrix and uterus). As will be seen there is not much definiteness in the use of these expressions from the standpoint of physiology; but not less so than in modern oriental languages and even in many occidental languages, as popularly used. The remarkable phrases used in <bibleref ref="2Chr.21.18">2Ch 21:18</bibleref>,<bibleref ref="2Chr.21.19">19</bibleref>, "Yahweh smote him in his bowels" and "His bowels fell out by reason of his sickness," refer to a severe and fatal case of hemorrh oids.<br /><br />

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Bowels