BELLY. In the Eng. VSS this word is a tr. of several Heb. words which occur with a variety of meanings. The rare term גָּחﯴן, H1623, (gāḥôn) was used of the lower abdomen of serpents and reptiles (Gen 3:14; Lev 11:42). In human beings the abdominal region was described as בֶּ֫טֶנ֒, H1061, (Judg 3:21, 22; Ps 17:14; Prov 13:25, etc.), a word which also was used of the womb (Pss 22:9; 139:13, etc.), or in conjunction with צָבָֽה of the distended abdomen of a woman undergoing the “jealousy ordeal” (Num 5:21-27). מֵעִים was also used of the bowels (Gen 25:23; Num 5:22, etc.) and the intestines as the locale of the emotions (Isa 16:11; Jer 4:19, etc.). קֶ֫רֶב, H7931, occurred less frequently to mention the intestines as the seat of laughter (Gen 18:12) or thought (Jer 4:14), while the womb was specifically described by רֶ֫חֶם, H8167. In NT Gr. the word κοιλία, G3120, was used of the stomach or intestines (Matt 12:40; 15:17) or, following the LXX, of the womb (Luke 1:41-44; John 3:4; Gal 1:15, etc.). Metaphorically, it was used, like beṭen, of the heart in John 7:38. See Body.