Dictionary of Bible Themes: 5166 liver and kidneys

5166 liver and kidneys

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 5000 Humanity » 5125 Parts of the body and clothing » 5166 liver and kidneys

The liver and kidneys as vital internal organs of the body

Proverbs 7:23 See also Job 16:13; Job 20:24-25

The liver and kidneys are symbolic of human emotions and the conscience

Psalm 73:21 The Hebrew words for liver and kidneys are occasionally translated as “heart”, “spirit” or “inmost being”. See also Job 19:27; Proverbs 23:16; Jeremiah 12:2; Lamentations 2:11; Lamentations 3:13

God examines the innermost being as symbolised by the kidneys

God is concerned for the innermost being as symbolised by the kidneys

Psalm 139:13 See also Psalm 16:7

The liver and kidneys as offered in animal sacrifice

Liver and kidneys offered in various sacrifices

Leviticus 3:3-5 The liver and kidneys are associated with the fat as the choice parts of the animal. See also Leviticus 3:9-11,14-16; Leviticus 4:8-10; Leviticus 7:3-6

Liver and kidneys had a central role in the ordination services for priests

Exodus 29:13,22-25; Leviticus 8:16-17,25-28; Leviticus 9:8-10,19-21

Divination by inspection of the liver

Ezekiel 21:21 Divination by inspection of the liver (hepatoscopy) was a common practice. The future was predicted from the colour and configuration of the liver of a sacrificial animal, usually a sheep.