4578. meeh

Lexicon

meeh: Belly, inward parts, bowels, womb

Original Word: מֵעֶה
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: me`ah
Pronunciation: meh-eh
Phonetic Spelling: (may-aw')
Definition: Belly, inward parts, bowels, womb
Meaning: the intestines, the abdomen, sympathy, a vest, the stomach, the uterus, the heart

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

belly, bowels, heart, womb

From an unused root probably meaning to be soft; used only in plural the intestines, or (collectively) the abdomen, figuratively, sympathy; by implication, a vest; by extens. The stomach, the uterus (or of men, the seat of generation), the heart (figuratively) -- belly, bowels, X heart, womb.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
of uncertain derivation
Definition
internal organs, inward parts, belly
NASB Translation
abdomen (1), body (4), bowels (4), children* (1), feelings (1), heart (4), inward parts (1), offspring* (1), own (1), soul (2), spirit (2), stomach (4), stomachs (1), within (1), womb (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs

[מֵעֶה] noun masculine^{Isaiah 16:11} only

plural internal organs, inward parts (intestines, bowels), belly (Late Hebrew id.; Aramaic מְעָא, מַעֲיָא, , ; Arabic ; Ethiopic ; — on form compare Lag^{BN 156} Ba^{ZMG xiii. 1888, 345}); — plural [מֵעִים] construct מְעֵי Psalm 71:6 3t.; suffix מֵעַי 2 Samuel 16:11 9t., מֵעָ֑י Psalm 22:15; Psalm 40:9; מֵעֶיךָ Genesis 15:4 6t.; מֵעַיִךְ Genesis 25:23; Numbers 5:22; מֵעָיו 2 Samuel 20:10 5t.; מֵעֵיהֶם Ezekiel 7:19; —

1 literally:

a. וַיִּשְׁמֹּךְ מֵעָיו אַ֫רְצָה 2 Samuel 20:10 and he poured out his inward parts on the ground (through a wound); compare ׳מַחֲלֵה מ2Chronicles 21:15,18, ׳יָָֽצְאוּ מ 2 Chronicles 21:15; 2 Chronicles 21:19.

b. as digestive organs, but without precision, nearly = stomach, belly, Job 20:14; Ezekiel 3:3 ("" בֶּטֶן), Ezekiel 7:19 ("" נֶפֶשׁ; both with מָלֵא), Numbers 5:22; so of fish that swallowed Jonah Jonah 2:1; Jonah 2:2.

2 source of procreation: אשׁר יצא ׳מִמּ (said of offspring) Genesis 15:4 (JE), 2 Samuel 7:12 ("" זַרְעֲךָ), 2 Samuel 16:11; ׳צֶאֱצָאֵי מ Isaiah 48:19 ("" id.); ׳מִיצִיאֵי מ2Chronicles 32:21.

3 = womb, שְׁנֵי לְאֻמִּים מִמֵּעַיִח יִמָּרֵ֑דוּ Genesis 25:23 (J; "" בֶּטֶן), compare Isaiah 49:1 ("" id.), Psalm 71:6 ("" id.), Ruth 1:11.

4 in General = inwards, inward part, ׳לִבִּי ֗֗֗ נָמֵס בְּתוֺךְ מ Psalm 22:15, compare ׳תּוֺרָֽתְךָ בְּתוֺךְ מ Psalm 40:9.

5 figurative = seat of emotions: pity, Isaiah 16:11 ("" קֶרֶב); of God's compassion, Jeremiah 31:20 ("" רחם; in both subject of verb הָמוּ); הֲמוֺן מֵעֶיךָ Isaiah 63:15 ("" רַחֲמֶיךָ); distress, Jeremiah 4:19 (twice in verse) ("" לֵב, מֵעַי חֳמַרְמָרוּ Lamentations 1:20 ("" לֵב), Lamentations 2:11 ("" כָּבֵד liver); מֵעַי רֻתְּחוּ Job 30:27 (dubious, see Bu); love, מֵעַי הָמוּ עָלָיו Songs 5:4.

6 the external belly, מֵעָיו עֶשֶׁת שֵׁן Songs 5:14.

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from an unused root meaning to be soft.

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • G2836 (σπλάγχνον, splagchnon): This Greek term is often used in the New Testament to convey similar meanings as "me'eh," referring to the inward parts or bowels, and metaphorically to deep emotions such as compassion and affection. An example is found in Philippians 1:8, where Paul expresses his deep affection for the Philippians: "For God is my witness how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus."

In summary, Strong's Hebrew Number 4578, "me'eh," encompasses a range of meanings from the literal physical organs to the metaphorical seat of emotions, illustrating the depth and complexity of human experience as understood in the Hebrew Bible.

Usage: The word "me'eh" appears in various contexts within the Hebrew Bible, often describing physical organs but also used metaphorically to convey deep emotional states. It is used to describe the seat of emotions, akin to the modern concept of the heart as the center of feelings.

Context: • Physical Organs: In its most literal sense, "me'eh" refers to the intestines or the abdomen. This usage is evident in passages that discuss physical ailments or descriptions of the human body. For example, in Job 20:14, the term is used to describe the physical process of digestion.
• Metaphorical Use: Beyond its literal meaning, "me'eh" is employed metaphorically to express deep emotional experiences. In Isaiah 16:11, the prophet uses the term to describe his inner turmoil and compassion for Moab: "Therefore my heart laments like a harp for Moab, and my inmost being for Kir-hareseth."
• Emotional Center: The term is often associated with the seat of emotions, similar to how the heart is viewed in contemporary language. In Lamentations 1:20, the writer expresses profound grief: "See, O LORD, how distressed I am! I am in torment within, and in my heart I am disturbed."
• Reproductive Organs: "Me'eh" can also refer to the womb or uterus, as seen in Genesis 25:23, where God speaks to Rebekah about the nations within her womb: "Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated."
• Symbol of Compassion: The term is used to convey compassion and mercy, as in Jeremiah 31:20, where God expresses His enduring love for Ephraim: "Therefore My heart yearns for him; I have great compassion for him," declares the LORD.

Forms and Transliterations

בְּֽמֵעַ֔י בְּֽמֵעַ֔יִךְ בְּמֵעָ֛יו בְּמֵעָ֣יו בִּמְעֵ֣י במעי במעיו במעיך וּמֵעֵיהֶ֖ם וּמֵעֶ֣יךָ וּמֵעַ֖י ומעי ומעיהם ומעיך מִמְּעֵ֖י מִמְּעֵ֣י מִמְּעֵ֥י מִמֵּעֶ֑יךָ מִמֵּעֶ֔יךָ מִמֵּעַ֖י מִמֵּעַ֖יִךְ מֵעֶ֑יךָ מֵעֶ֖יךָ מֵעֶ֙יךָ֙ מֵעֶ֛יךָ מֵעַ֔י מֵעַ֖י מֵעַ֣י מֵעַ֣י ׀ מֵעַ֨י ׀ מֵעַי֙ מֵעָ֔יו מֵעָ֥יו מֵעָֽי׃ מֵעָיו֙ ממעי ממעיך מעי מעי׃ מעיו מעיך bə·mê·‘a·yiḵ bə·mê·‘āw bə·mê·‘ay bəmê‘āw bəmê‘ay bəmê‘ayiḵ bemeAi bemeAv bemeAyich bim‘ê bim·‘ê bimEi mê‘āw mê‘ay mê‘āy mê‘eḵā mê·‘āw mê·‘ay mê·‘āy mê·‘e·ḵā meAi meAv meEicha mim·mê·‘a·yiḵ mim·mê·‘ay mim·mə·‘ê mim·mê·‘e·ḵā mimeAi mimeAyich mimeEi mimeEicha mimmê‘ay mimmê‘ayiḵ mimmə‘ê mimmê‘eḵā ū·mê·‘ay ū·mê·‘ê·hem ū·mê·‘e·ḵā ūmê‘ay ūmê‘êhem ūmê‘eḵā umeAi umeEicha umeeiHem

Englishman's Concordance

Genesis 15:4
HEB: אֲשֶׁ֣ר יֵצֵ֣א מִמֵּעֶ֔יךָ ה֖וּא יִֽירָשֶֽׁךָ׃
NAS: will come forth from your own body, he shall be your heir.
KJV: but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir.
INT: who will come body he shall be your heir

Genesis 25:23
HEB: וּשְׁנֵ֣י לְאֻמִּ֔ים מִמֵּעַ֖יִךְ יִפָּרֵ֑דוּ וּלְאֹם֙
NAS: will be separated from your body; And one people
KJV: shall be separated from thy bowels; and [the one] people
INT: and two peoples your body will be separated people

Numbers 5:22
HEB: הַמְאָרְרִ֤ים הָאֵ֙לֶּה֙ בְּֽמֵעַ֔יִךְ לַצְבּ֥וֹת בֶּ֖טֶן
NAS: shall go into your stomach, and make your abdomen
KJV: shall go into thy bowels, to make [thy] belly
INT: brings and this your stomach swell your abdomen

Ruth 1:11
HEB: לִ֤י בָנִים֙ בְּֽמֵעַ֔י וְהָי֥וּ לָכֶ֖ם
NAS: sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?
KJV: with me? [are] there yet [any more] sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?
INT: yet sons my womb become he

2 Samuel 7:12
HEB: אֲשֶׁ֥ר יֵצֵ֖א מִמֵּעֶ֑יךָ וַהֲכִינֹתִ֖י אֶת־
KJV: thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish
INT: who will come bowels will establish his kingdom

2 Samuel 16:11
HEB: אֲשֶׁר־ יָצָ֥א מִמֵּעַ֖י מְבַקֵּ֣שׁ אֶת־
KJV: which came forth of my bowels, seeketh
INT: who came of my bowels seeks my life

2 Samuel 20:10
HEB: הַחֹ֜מֶשׁ וַיִּשְׁפֹּ֨ךְ מֵעָ֥יו אַ֛רְצָה וְלֹא־
NAS: with it and poured out his inward parts on the ground,
KJV: [rib], and shed out his bowels to the ground,
INT: the belly and poured his inward the ground and did not him

2 Chronicles 21:15
HEB: רַבִּ֖ים בְּמַחֲלֵ֣ה מֵעֶ֑יךָ עַד־ יֵצְא֤וּ
NAS: a disease of your bowels, until
KJV: by disease of thy bowels, until thy bowels
INT: severe A disease of your bowels until come

2 Chronicles 21:15
HEB: עַד־ יֵצְא֤וּ מֵעֶ֙יךָ֙ מִן־ הַחֹ֔לִי
NAS: until your bowels come
KJV: of thy bowels, until thy bowels fall out
INT: until come your bowels because of the sickness

2 Chronicles 21:18
HEB: נְגָפ֨וֹ יְהוָ֧ה ׀ בְּמֵעָ֛יו לָחֳלִ֖י לְאֵ֥ין
NAS: smote him in his bowels with an incurable
KJV: smote him in his bowels with an incurable
INT: smote the LORD his bowels sickness else

2 Chronicles 21:19
HEB: שְׁנַ֗יִם יָצְא֤וּ מֵעָיו֙ עִם־ חָלְי֔וֹ
NAS: years, that his bowels came
KJV: years, his bowels fell out
INT: of two came his bowels because of his sickness

2 Chronicles 32:21
HEB: (וּמִֽיצִיאֵ֣י ק) מֵעָ֔יו שָׁ֖ם הִפִּילֻ֥הוּ
NAS: some of his own children
KJV: they that came forth of his own bowels slew
INT: of his god Offspring of his own there killed

Job 20:14
HEB: לַ֭חְמוֹ בְּמֵעָ֣יו נֶהְפָּ֑ךְ מְרוֹרַ֖ת
NAS: [Yet] his food in his stomach is changed
KJV: [Yet] his meat in his bowels is turned,
INT: his food his stomach is changed to the venom

Job 30:27
HEB: מֵעַ֖י רֻתְּח֥וּ וְלֹא־
NAS: I am seething within and cannot
KJV: My bowels boiled, and rested
INT: within I am seething and cannot

Psalm 22:14
HEB: נָ֝מֵ֗ס בְּת֣וֹךְ מֵעָֽי׃
KJV: in the midst of my bowels.
INT: is melted within of my bowels

Psalm 40:8
HEB: וְ֝ת֥וֹרָתְךָ֗ בְּת֣וֹךְ מֵעָֽי׃
NAS: Your Law is within my heart.
KJV: yea, thy law [is] within my heart.
INT: your Law is within my heart

Psalm 71:6
HEB: נִסְמַ֬כְתִּי מִבֶּ֗טֶן מִמְּעֵ֣י אִ֭מִּי אַתָּ֣ה
KJV: me out of my mother's bowels: my praise
INT: have been sustained from birth bowels my mother's who

Songs 5:4
HEB: מִן־ הַחֹ֔ר וּמֵעַ֖י הָמ֥וּ עָלָֽיו׃
NAS: the opening, And my feelings were aroused
KJV: the hole [of the door], and my bowels were moved
INT: through the opening and my feelings were aroused and

Songs 5:14
HEB: מְמֻלָּאִ֖ים בַּתַּרְשִׁ֑ישׁ מֵעָיו֙ עֶ֣שֶׁת שֵׁ֔ן
NAS: with beryl; His abdomen is carved
KJV: with the beryl: his belly [is as] bright
INT: Set beryl his abdomen is carved ivory

Isaiah 16:11
HEB: עַל־ כֵּן֙ מֵעַ֣י לְמוֹאָ֔ב כַּכִּנּ֖וֹר
NAS: Therefore my heart intones like a harp
KJV: Wherefore my bowels shall sound
INT: and after that my heart Moab A harp

Isaiah 48:19
HEB: זַרְעֶ֔ךָ וְצֶאֱצָאֵ֥י מֵעֶ֖יךָ כִּמְעֹתָ֑יו לֹֽא־
KJV: and the offspring of thy bowels like the gravel
INT: your descendants and the offspring bowels grains never

Isaiah 49:1
HEB: מִבֶּ֣טֶן קְרָאָ֔נִי מִמְּעֵ֥י אִמִּ֖י הִזְכִּ֥יר
NAS: Me from the womb; From the body of My mother
KJV: me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother
INT: the womb called the body of my mother mention

Isaiah 63:15
HEB: וּגְב֣וּרֹתֶ֔ךָ הֲמ֥וֹן מֵעֶ֛יךָ וְֽרַחֲמֶ֖יךָ אֵלַ֥י
NAS: The stirrings of Your heart and Your compassion
KJV: the sounding of thy bowels and of thy mercies
INT: and your mighty the sounding of your heart and your compassion toward

Jeremiah 4:19
HEB: מֵעַ֣י ׀ מֵעַ֨י ׀ [אָחוּלָה
NAS: My soul, my soul! I am in anguish!
KJV: My bowels, my bowels! I am pained
INT: my soul my soul bear

Jeremiah 4:19
HEB: מֵעַ֣י ׀ מֵעַ֨י ׀ [אָחוּלָה כ]
NAS: My soul, my soul! I am in anguish! Oh,
KJV: My bowels, my bowels! I am pained
INT: my soul my soul bear Oh

32 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 4578
32 Occurrences

bə·mê·‘ay — 1 Occ.
bə·mê·‘āw — 2 Occ.
bə·mê·‘a·yiḵ — 1 Occ.
bim·‘ê — 1 Occ.
mê·‘ay — 9 Occ.
mê·‘āw — 4 Occ.
mê·‘e·ḵā — 4 Occ.
mim·mê·‘ay — 1 Occ.
mim·mê·‘a·yiḵ — 1 Occ.
mim·mə·‘ê — 3 Occ.
mim·mê·‘e·ḵā — 2 Occ.
ū·mê·‘ay — 1 Occ.
ū·mê·‘e·ḵā — 1 Occ.
ū·mê·‘ê·hem — 1 Occ.