SPECIAL TOPIC: "INWARD PARTS"

1. "Inward parts" is denoted by several terms ‒ bowels" (BDB 588, #4). The ancients believed that the lower viscera (liver, kidneys, bowels) was the seat of the emotions:
   1. negative, Isa. 16:11 (used of God); Jer. 4:19 (used of Jeremiah)
   2. positive, Isa. 63:15; Jer. 31:20 (used of God); also Ps. 40:8 (used of David)
      

      The root (BDB 588) is used in several senses.

      1. lower viscera ‒ 2 Sam. 20:10; 2 Chr. 21:15
      2. stomach ‒ Job 20:14; Ezek. 3:3; 7:19; Jonah 1:17; 2:1; 2 Sam. 7:12; 16:11
      3. sex organs
         1. male ‒ Gen. 15:4
         2. female ‒ Isa. 49:1
      4. the physical location of human emotions ‒ Song of Songs 5:4,14; Isa. 16:11; 63:15; Jer. 4:19; 31:20; Lam. 2:11
   
   
2. There are several OT terms that are synonymous as the source of feelings (i.e. inward parts).
   1. "liver" (BDB 458)
   2. "heart" (BDB 523; see Special Topic: Heart)
   3. "soul" (BDB 659, nephesh, see Special Topic: Nephesh)
   4. "kidney" (BDB 480, cf. Job 19:27; Ps. 7:9; 26:2; 139:13; Prov. 23:16; Lam. 3:13)
      

      Notice the usage in Prov. 12:10; 26:22; Jer. 28:13,51; 2 Macc. 9:5-6; 4 Macc. 10:8; Baruch 2:17.

3. Paul uses this imagery of the lower viscera often (i.e. bowels)
   1. translated "tender mercies" in Luke 1:7-8
   2. translated "bowels" (literal) in Acts 1:18
   3. translated "affections" in 2 Cor. 6:12; 7:15; Phil. 1:8; 2:1
   4. translated "bowels of compassion" in Col. 3:12
   5. translated in Philemon
      1. v. 7, "bowels of compassion"
      2. vv. 12,20, "my heart"

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