5166 liver and kidneys

The liver and kidneys as vital internal organs of the body

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

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

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

God examines the innermost being as symbolised by the kidneys Ps 26:2 See also Ps 7:9; Jer 11:20; Jer 17:10; Jer 20:12

God is concerned for the innermost being as symbolised by the kidneys Ps 139:13 See also Ps 16:7

The liver and kidneys as offered in animal sacrifice

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

Liver and kidneys had a central role in the ordination services for priests Ex 29:13,22-25; Lev 8:16-17,25-28; Lev 9:8-10,19-21

Divination by inspection of the liver

Eze 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.

See also