Bowels

New Testament

Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words

Definition

1splanchnonG4698

always in the plural, properly denotes "the physical organs of the intestines," and is once used in this respect, Act 1:18 (for the use by Greeks and Hebrews, see AFFECTION, No. 2). The RV substitutes the following for the word "bowels:" "affections," 2Co 6:12; "affection," 2Co 7:15; "tender mercies," Phi 1:8, Phi 2:1; "a heart (of compassion)," Col 3:12; "heart," Phm 1:12, Phm 1:20; "hearts," Phm 1:7; "compassion," 1Jo 3:17. The word is rendered "tender" in the AV and RV of Luk 1:78, in connection with the word "mercy." See AFFECTION, No. 2, COMPASSION, A, No. 2 and B, No. 2.