Definition and Usage in Scripture:
The term "entrails" refers to the internal organs, particularly the intestines, of humans and animals. In biblical contexts, entrails are often associated with sacrificial practices and offerings. The Hebrew word often translated as "entrails" is "qereb," which can also mean "inward parts" or "midst." In the Greek New Testament, the term "splagchnon" is used, which can also denote compassion or deep emotions, reflecting the ancient belief that emotions were seated in the internal organs.

Old Testament References:
In the Old Testament, entrails are frequently mentioned in the context of animal sacrifices. The Levitical laws provide detailed instructions on how sacrifices should be conducted, including the handling of entrails. For instance, in Leviticus 1:9 , it is stated, "The entrails and legs must be washed with water, and the priest shall burn all of it on the altar as a burnt offering, an offering made by fire, a pleasing aroma to the LORD." This indicates the importance of purity and ritual cleanliness in offerings to God.

In the sacrificial system, the entrails were often burned on the altar, symbolizing the complete offering of the animal to God. The burning of the entrails, along with other parts of the animal, was considered a "pleasing aroma" to the Lord, signifying acceptance of the sacrifice.

Symbolic and Theological Significance:
The entrails, as part of the sacrificial process, symbolize the inner life and sincerity of the worshiper. Just as the entrails were to be cleansed and offered, so too were the Israelites called to offer their innermost being to God in purity and devotion. This reflects the broader biblical theme that God desires not just external compliance but internal transformation and wholehearted worship.

New Testament Context:
While the New Testament does not focus on the physical entrails in the context of sacrifices, the concept of inner purity and sincerity remains significant. The New Testament emphasizes the internal aspects of faith and devotion, aligning with the symbolic meaning of entrails in the Old Testament. For example, in Matthew 23:26 , Jesus admonishes the Pharisees, saying, "Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, so that the outside may become clean as well." This highlights the importance of internal purity over mere external observance.

Cultural and Historical Context:
In ancient Near Eastern cultures, entrails were often used in divination practices, where priests or diviners would interpret the will of the gods by examining the entrails of sacrificed animals. However, the Bible strictly prohibits such practices, as seen in Deuteronomy 18:10-12 , which warns against divination and other forms of sorcery, emphasizing reliance on God's revelation rather than pagan rituals.

Conclusion:
The biblical references to entrails, particularly in the context of sacrifices, underscore the importance of inner purity and sincerity in worship. While the physical act of offering entrails was part of the Old Testament sacrificial system, the underlying principle of offering one's whole being to God remains a timeless truth in the Christian faith.1. (n.) The internal parts of animal bodies; the bowels; the guts; intestines.

2. (n. pl.) The internal parts; as, the entrails of the earth.

4697. splagchnizomai -- to be moved in the inward parts, ie to ...
... moved. Cognate: 4697 -- "from , 'the inward parts,' especially the nobler
entrails -- the heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys. These ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4697.htm - 7k7130. qereb -- inward part, midst
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition inward part, midst NASB Word Usage among
(62), body (1), devoured* (2), entrails (20), heart (1), herself (1), inner ...
/hebrew/7130.htm - 6k

Of the Deeds of Sylla, in which the Demons Boasted that He had ...
... Thereupon the same soothsayer Postumius interpreted this to signify a signal
victory, and ordered that he only should eat of the entrails. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 24 of the deeds of.htm

The City of God
... the Christians. Dissection of bowels, examination of entrails, were practices
very much in fashion in all classes of society. The ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/ii the city of god.htm

Argument: Recapitulation Doubtless Here is a Source of Error ...
... Doubtless Here is a Source of Error: Demons Lurk Under the Statues and Images, They
Haunt the Fanes, They Animate the Fibres of the Entrails, Direct the ...
/.../chapter xxvii argument recapitulation doubtless here.htm

Chapter l
... in some detail by Herodotus, involved the removal of the brain through the nose
by a hooked instrument as well as the removal of the entrails through an ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter l.htm

For if Whatever is done by Men, and Especially in Religion...
... What cause, what reason is there that the haunch-piece [4888] by itself, the gullet,
the tail, and the tail-piece [4889] separately, the entrails only, and the ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/25 for if whatever is.htm

Whether all the Members of the Human Body Will Rise Again?
... members shall rise again. Objection 2: Further, the entrails are members:
and yet they will not rise again. For they can neither ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether all the members of.htm

After Such Noble Acts of the Distinguished Martyrs of Christ...
... And wild beasts and dogs and birds of prey scattered the human limbs here and there,
and the whole city was strewed with the entrails and bones of men,. 10. ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter ix after such noble.htm

Of the Wonders Effected by the Power of the Cross, and of Demons.
... placed on their foreheads, they caused the gods of their masters to flee, that they
might not be able to observe [860] future events in the entrails of the ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xxvii of the wonders effected.htm

Spiritual Meaning of the Passover.
... bread on bitter herbs shall they eat," and "Eat not of it raw, nor sodden with water,
but roast with fire; the head with the feet and the entrails; ye shall ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/13 spiritual meaning of the.htm

Treatise iii. On the Lapsed.
... of body. Blood flowed instead of weeping; and instead of tears, gore poured
forth from their half-scorched entrails. 14. But now ...
/.../cyprian/the treatises of cyprian/treatise iii on the lapsed.htm

Entrails (18 Occurrences)
... intestines. 2. (n. pl.) The internal parts; as, the entrails of the earth.
Multi-Version Concordance Entrails (18 Occurrences). Exodus ...
/e/entrails.htm - 11k

Trail (5 Occurrences)
... 14. (n.) The entrails of a fowl, especially of game, as the woodcock, and the
like; -- applied also, sometimes, to the entrails of sheep. 15. ...
/t/trail.htm - 9k

Entirely (39 Occurrences)

/e/entirely.htm - 18k

Quarry (5 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) Same as Quarrel. 2. (a.) Quadrate; square. 3. (n.) A part of the entrails
of the beast taken, given to the hounds. 4. (n.) A heap of game killed. ...
/q/quarry.htm - 8k

Vulture (16 Occurrences)
... They flocked over the altars for the entrails from sacrifice, and devoured
scraps cast aside by tent-dwellers and residents of cities. ...
/v/vulture.htm - 14k

Inside (185 Occurrences)
... portion; content. 5. (n.) The inward parts; entrails; bowels; hence, that
which is within; private thoughts and feelings. 6. (n.) An ...
/i/inside.htm - 36k

Fat (150 Occurrences)
... FAT. (chelebh, chelebh): The layer of subcutaneous fat and the compact suet surrounding
the viscera and imbedded in the entrails, which, like the blood, was ...
/f/fat.htm - 44k

Experience (28 Occurrences)
... divined") that Yahweh hath blessed me for thy sake." Here it translates the Hebrew
nachash, "to observe diligently," as when one examines the entrails of a ...
/e/experience.htm - 17k

Augury (5 Occurrences)
... and feeding of birds; (3) signs from the movements and audible sounds of animals,
including serpents; (4) signs from the examination of the entrails of animals ...
/a/augury.htm - 17k

Divination (25 Occurrences)
... Three kinds of divination are mentioned in Ezek. 21:21, by arrows, consulting with
images (the teraphim), and by examining the entrails of animals sacrificed. ...
/d/divination.htm - 45k

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Entrails: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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