Jump to: ISBE • Easton's • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia In the Bible, the term "belly" is used both literally and metaphorically, appearing in various contexts throughout the Old and New Testaments. The Hebrew word often translated as "belly" is "בֶּטֶן" (beten), while the Greek equivalent is "κοιλία" (koilia). These terms can refer to the physical stomach or abdomen, as well as symbolically representing deeper spiritual or emotional states.Literal Usage 1. Physical Stomach: The belly is frequently mentioned in the context of physical hunger and sustenance. In Job 20:23 , it is written, "When he has filled his stomach, God will vent His fury upon him, raining it down on him as he eats." Here, the belly is directly associated with the act of eating and the physical need for food. 2. Pregnancy and Birth: The belly is also used to describe the womb, as seen in Genesis 25:23 , where God tells Rebekah, "Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated." This usage highlights the belly as the place of gestation and the origin of life. Metaphorical Usage 1. Inner Desires and Emotions: The belly is often used metaphorically to represent inner desires, emotions, or appetites. Proverbs 20:27 states, "The spirit of a man is the lamp of the LORD, searching out his inmost being." Here, the "inmost being" can be understood as the belly, symbolizing the core of a person's desires and motivations. 2. Spiritual Fulfillment: In the New Testament, the belly is sometimes used to contrast physical and spiritual fulfillment. Philippians 3:19 warns, "Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and their glory is in their shame. Their minds are set on earthly things." This passage uses the belly to symbolize earthly desires that can lead one away from spiritual truth. 3. Source of Life and Wisdom: In some instances, the belly is seen as a source of life and wisdom. Proverbs 18:8 says, "The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down into the inmost being." This suggests that what is consumed, whether physically or spiritually, affects the deepest parts of a person. Symbol of Judgment and Consequence The belly is also depicted as a place of judgment or consequence. Jonah 2:1 recounts, "From inside the fish, Jonah prayed to the LORD his God." Jonah's time in the belly of the fish serves as a period of reflection and repentance, symbolizing God's discipline and the opportunity for redemption. Cultural and Theological Implications In biblical times, the belly was often associated with the seat of emotions and the center of human appetites. This understanding reflects a holistic view of the human person, where physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects are interconnected. The biblical references to the belly encourage believers to consider the alignment of their physical desires with their spiritual commitments, urging a life that prioritizes spiritual nourishment over mere physical satisfaction. Overall, the concept of the belly in the Bible serves as a multifaceted symbol, encompassing physical needs, emotional states, and spiritual truths. It challenges readers to reflect on their own desires and the ways in which they seek fulfillment, urging a focus on spiritual growth and alignment with God's will. Easton's Bible Dictionary The seat of the carnal affections (Titus 1:12; Philippians 3:19; Romans 16:18). The word is used symbolically for the heart (Proverbs 18:8; 20:27; 22:18, marg.). The "belly of hell" signifies the grave or underworld (Jonah 2:2). Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) That part of the human body which extends downward from the breast to the thighs, and contains the bowels, or intestines; the abdomen.2. (n.) The under part of the body of animals, corresponding to the human belly. 3. (n.) The womb. 4. (n.) The part of anything which resembles the human belly in protuberance or in cavity; the innermost part; as, the belly of a flask, muscle, sail, ship. 5. (n.) The hollow part of a curved or bent timber, the convex part of which is the back. 6. (v. t.) To cause to swell out; to fill. 7. (v. i.) To swell and become protuberant, like the belly; to bulge. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia BELLYbel'-i: gachon = "the external abdomen" (Genesis 3:14 Leviticus 11:42). qobhah = "the abdominal cavity" (Numbers 25:8 the American Standard Revised Version "body"). beTen = "the internal abdomen," "the womb" (1 Kings 7:20 Job 15:2, 35 the King James Version; Job 20:15, 23; Job 40:16 Psalm 17, 14 Proverbs 13:25; Proverbs 18:20 Jeremiah 1:5 Ezekiel 3:3); also figuratively "the internal regions," "the body of anything" (Jonah 2:2). me`eh = "intestines," "abdomen" (Daniel 2:32 Jonah 1:17; Jonah 2:1, 2). In the New Testament koilia = "a cavity," espec ially the abdominal (Matthew 12:40; Matthew 15:17 Mark 7:19); the seat of appetite and of the carnal affections (Romans 16:18 1 Corinthians 6:13 Philippians 3:19 Revelation 10:9, 10); the innermost of the soul (the American Revised Version, margin John 7:38). Greek 2836. koilia -- belly ... belly. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: koilia Phonetic Spelling: (koy-lee'-ah) Short Definition: belly, womb, the inner man Definition: belly ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2836.htm - 6k 1064. gaster -- the belly Strong's Hebrew 1512. gachon -- belly (of reptiles)... 1511, 1512. gachon. 1513 . belly (of reptiles). Transliteration: gachon Phonetic Spelling: (gaw-khone') Short Definition: belly. ... /hebrew/1512.htm - 6k 4577. meah -- belly 990. beten -- belly, body, womb 3770. kares -- belly 4578. meeh -- internal organs, inward parts, belly 6897. qobah -- belly 2570. chomesh -- belly 193a. ul -- the body, belly 6896. qebah -- stomach, belly 193. uwl -- the body, belly Library Thy Navel is Like a Round Goblet which Wanteth not Liquor; Thy ... His Hands are Turned as of Gold, Set with Hyacinths; his Belly is ... 1 Cor. vi. 12 John vii. 37, 38 Philippians iii. 18-21 Praying Saints of the Old Testaments (Continued) That Thy Resurrection Might be Believed among the Gainsayers, they ... How those who Use Food Intemperately and those who Use it ... Argument. --But There was a Limit to the Use of These Shadows or ... On the History of Jonah. Thesaurus Belly (62 Occurrences)... The "belly of hell" signifies the grave or underworld (Jonah 2:2). ... 2. (n.) The under part of the body of animals, corresponding to the human belly. ... /b/belly.htm - 28k Rot (15 Occurrences) Meats (9 Occurrences) Shrink (10 Occurrences) Stomach (40 Occurrences) Navel (4 Occurrences) Useless (47 Occurrences) Lewdness (68 Occurrences) Whoredom (58 Occurrences) Immorality (38 Occurrences) Resources Did Jonah die while he was in the belly of the fish (Jonah 2)? | GotQuestions.orgSummary of the Book of Jonah - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.org Was Jonah truly swallowed by a whale? | GotQuestions.org Belly: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Belly (62 Occurrences)Matthew 12:40 Matthew 15:17 Mark 7:19 Luke 15:16 John 7:38 Romans 16:18 1 Corinthians 6:13 Philippians 3:19 Revelation 10:9 Revelation 10:10 Genesis 3:14 Genesis 41:21 Leviticus 11:42 Numbers 5:21 Numbers 5:22 Numbers 5:27 Numbers 25:8 Judges 3:21 Judges 3:22 2 Samuel 2:23 2 Samuel 3:27 2 Samuel 4:6 2 Samuel 20:10 1 Kings 7:20 Job 3:11 Job 10:19 Job 15:2 Job 15:35 Job 20:15 Job 20:20 Job 20:23 Job 31:18 Job 32:19 Job 38:29 Job 40:16 Psalms 17:14 Psalms 22:10 Psalms 31:9 Psalms 44:25 Psalms 58:3 Psalms 139:13 Proverbs 13:25 Proverbs 18:8 Proverbs 18:20 Proverbs 20:27 Proverbs 20:30 Proverbs 26:22 Ecclesiastes 5:15 Song of Songs 5:14 Song of Songs 7:2 Isaiah 46:3 Isaiah 48:8 Isaiah 49:5 Jeremiah 1:5 Jeremiah 51:34 Ezekiel 3:3 Ezekiel 7:19 Daniel 2:32 Jonah 1:17 Jonah 2:1 Jonah 2:2 Habakkuk 3:16 Subtopics Belly used Figuratively for the Seat of the Affections Related Terms |
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