Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

STOMACH

Various Hebrew words refer in a general way to the human abdomen. Heb. beṭen is used most often for the womb (Gen. 25:23; Ps. 139:13), but can indicate the abdomen in general (Judg. 3:21-22) and the actual stomach (Job 20:15; Ezek. 3:3). Heb. mēʿîm is used generally for “internal organs, inward parts” (e.g., “bowels”; Num. 5:22; 2 Chr. 21:15, 18-19), but can also mean the stomach specifically (Job 20:14; Ezek. 3:3). Gk. koilía most frequently refers to the womb, but can also be translated “stomach” (Matt. 15:17; 1 Cor. 6:13); the usage is primarily figurative. Gk. stómachos is found only in 1 Tim. 5:23, where Paul advises Timothy to “use a little wine for the sake of your stomach.”

The Hebrews viewed the intestines as the seat of deep emotions, and thus beṭen and mēʿîm are occasionally translated “heart” (Job 15:35; Isa. 63:15; Jer. 4:19). Similarly, while Gk. splánchna originally meant “bowels” or “intestines” (cf. Acts 1:18), by NT times it came to designate the seat of love or mercy (Col. 3:12; 1 John 3:17). The verbal form was used often to describe the compassion of Christ (Matt. 9:36; 14:14; 15:32 par.; Mark 1:41; Luke 7:13).

Of course, the bowels can also be the seat of negative emotions (avarice, Job 20:20; distress, 30:27; Lam. 1:20; greed or desire, Rom. 16:18; Phil. 3:19).

Bibliography. H. W. Wolff, Anthropology of the Old Testament (Philadelphia, 1974).

John S. Hammett

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

STOMACH

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)