All: The inner life in Scripture's own words

The inner life in Scripture's own words

me'eh: the churning insides

What the lexicon says. מֵעֶה (me'eh) is defined as "internal organs, inward parts, bowels, intestines, belly", with sub-senses "digestive organs", "organs of procreation, womb", "place of emotions or distress or love (fig.)" and "external belly". Strong's adds "figuratively, sympathy".

What the text does with it. Lamentations, describing a ruined city, in the KJV: "Behold, O LORD; for I [am] in distress: my bowels are troubled" (Lamentations 1:20, KJV). The ASV prints "my heart is troubled" and the BSB "I am churning within" (Lamentations 1:20). The tagged word is H4578 in each case. It appears in 30 verses.

Sources: Lamentations 1:20 (KJV, ASV, BSB); Isaiah 63:15; TBESH entry H4578; Strong's Hebrew Dictionary (1890), entry H4578.

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Every cited verse, in full. Tap any reference to open it in the reader.

  • Lamentations 1:20bsb

    See, O LORD, how distressed I am! I am churning within; my heart is pounding within me, for I have been most rebellious. Outside, the sword bereaves; inside, there is death.

  • Isaiah 63:15bsb

    Look down from heaven and see, from Your holy and glorious habitation. Where are Your zeal and might? Your yearning and compassion for me are restrained.

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