Bible Dictionary
Bowels
Literally, the bowels are the internal organs or abdomen. Figuratively, the term refers to deep compassion, affection, mercy, sympathy, or inward distress; the New Testament often renders it “tender mercies.”
Definition
The bowels literally denote the intestines, abdomen, or womb. In figurative language they represent the inward seat of deep emotions, including affection, sympathy, mercy, distress, sorrow, and devotion. In the New Testament, the expression is often rendered “tender mercies.”
Biblical Usage
Scripture uses the term for compassionate and inward feelings. It can also describe severe physical illness and, figuratively, the inner place of affection or the seat of thought and devotion.
Historical Background
The biblical expressions are not physiologically precise by modern standards and reflect the ancient association of the abdomen and inward parts with emotion.
Scripture References
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
(Phil. 1:8; 2:1; Col. 3:12), compassionate feelings; R.V., “tender mercies.”
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>bou'-elz (me`ah, plural me`im, rechem, plural rachamim; splagchnion):</p><p>(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 2Ch 21:18,19, "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.</p><p>(2) Figurative: In figurative language these words denote deep emotions of various kinds. As in physiology we speak of the "nervus sympathicus," the ancients expressed by these terms "affection," "sympathy" and "mercy," feelings of distress and sorrow, as in Job 30:27 the King James Version; La 1:20 the King James Version; La 2:11 the King James Version. In one passage we have to translate me`im by "heart," being the seat of affection and devotion (Ps 71:6): "Thy law is within my heart" (Ps 40:8). In the New Testament (Revised Version) the word is only given in Ac 1:18.</p><p>H. L. E. Luering</p>