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σπλάγχνον

splánchnon

G4698 noun

SILEX Entry

Root σπλάγχν- internal organs, entrails, guts

Definition

Internal organs, specifically the entrails or intestines; in figurative usage, the seat of deep emotions such as compassion, affection, or tender concern. The primary sense is 'inner organs,' but by extension in Hellenistic Greek and the New Testament, refers to profound inward feelings or the locus of deep emotional responses.

Semantic Range

the entrails; internal organs; the inward parts of the body; figuratively, the seat of emotions; deep compassion; tender feelings; affection; mercy

Root / Etymology

From the root σπλάγχνον, possibly related to σπλήν ('spleen'). Classical lexica connect it with 'entrails' or 'guts,' but the precise etymological development is uncertain.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, σπλάγχνον typically referred to the inner organs of sacrificial animals, particularly in ritual contexts, or more generally the visceral parts of the body (not exclusively intestines). From the Hellenistic period and in Koine Greek, the term increasingly bears a figurative sense, signifying the seat of emotions—especially compassion, affection, or deeply-felt tender feelings. In the Septuagint, σπλάγχνα can represent the Hebrew רַחֲמִים (rachamim, 'compassion,' 'womb') or כֶּרֶב (kerev, 'inside,' 'inward parts'). In the New Testament, always used in the plural, it carries the figurative sense more frequently, denoting 'inward affection,' 'tender mercy,' or the emotional core of a person—translated as 'hearts,' 'affections,' or 'tender mercies' in various English versions. The literal meaning is rare outside ritual or medical contexts in later Greek. English Bible translations with 'bowels' capture the concrete metaphor but lack clarity in modern usage; 'deep affections' or 'tender mercy' better reflect the figurative layer in Hellenistic and New Testament texts.

Translation Consistency

primary "compassion" 9 occurrences

σπλάγχνον is most often used figuratively in the NT as the seat of deep, tender feelings (mercy/affection). "Compassion" is natural English, captures the primary emotional sense, and is usable across contexts; the literal sense (entrails/inward parts) is rare in the NT and is still compatible with the figurative idea of inward feeling.

Alternatives (2 occurrences):
"affections" (1x) "heart" (1x)

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

probably strengthened from (the "spleen"); an intestine (plural); figuratively, pity or sympathy:--bowels, inward affection, + tender mercy.

Root Family

σπλάγχνον (splánchnon) — internal organs, entrails, guts

Word Forms

2 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4698-01 σπλάγχνα splagchna N ACC N PL heart inner organs compassions 9
G4698-02 σπλάγχνοις splagchnois N DAT N PL affection in the inner organs in compassion 2

Occurrences in Scripture

11 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4698-01 Luke 1:78 σπλάγχνα splagchna N ACC N PL tender mercy inner organs compassions
G4698-01 Acts 1:18 σπλάγχνα splagchna N NOM N PL intestines inner organs compassions
G4698-02 2 Corinthians 6:12 σπλάγχνοις splagchnois N DAT N PL affections in the inner organs in compassion
G4698-01 2 Corinthians 7:15 σπλάγχνα splagchna N NOM N PL affections inner organs compassions
G4698-02 Philippians 1:8 σπλάγχνοις splagchnois N DAT N PL affection in the inner organs in compassion
G4698-01 Philippians 2:1 σπλάγχνα splagchna N NOM N PL affections inner organs affections
G4698-01 Colossians 3:12 σπλάγχνα splagchna N ACC N PL heart inner organs compassions
G4698-01 Philemon 1:7 σπλάγχνα splagchna N NOM N PL hearts inner organs compassions
G4698-01 Philemon 1:12 σπλάγχνα splagchna N NOM N PL very heart inner organs compassions
G4698-01 Philemon 1:20 σπλάγχνα splagchna N ACC N PL heart inner organs heart
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