Reference: Inwards, Inward Parts
Hastings
1. The former of these expressions is frequently found in English Version (Ex. and Lv.), meaning the entrails or bowels of the animals to be sacrificed according to the Levitical institutions (Ex 29:13,22; Le 3:3,9,14; 4:8,11; 7:3; 8:18,21 etc.). The same idea is found in Ge 41:21, where English Version has 'had eaten them up,' and Septuagint renders 'came into their belly' (see Authorized Version margin which gives the alternative 'had come to the inward parts of them'; cf. also 1Ki 17:21 Authorized Version margin). For the most part, however, the expression 'inward parts' is used in a metaphorical sense, to denote the contrast between the inward reality and the outward clothing of human character. Situated within the 'inward parts' is the capacity for wisdom (Job 38:36, see nevertheless EVm), truth (Ps 51:6), ethical knowledge, and moral renovation (Jer 31:33, where 'inward parts' is almost synonymous with 'heart,' cf. Pr 20:30). Here, too, lie hidden the springs of active wickedness (Ps 5:9), and deceitful language (Ps 62:4 Authorized Version margin). The power of deceiving as to character and motives comes from man's inherent ability to secrete, within the profound depths of the 'innermost parts,' his daily thoughts (Pr 18:8; cf. Ps 64:6). At the same time, these hidden designs are as an open book, beneath the bright light of a lamp, to the Lord (Pr 20:27; cf., for a similar thought, Ps 26:2; 7:9; Jer 11:20; Re 2:23 etc.).
2. In the NT the expression is used only to denote the power of the hypocrites to deceive their fellow-men (Lu 11:39; cf. Mt 7:15; 23:28). The curious phrase 'give for alms those things which are within' (Lu 11:41) may be taken as an incidental reference by Jesus to the necessity and the possibility of man's inmost life being renewed and restored to a right relationship with God and men (cf. Isa 58:10). At least it is permissible to take the word rendered 'the things which are within' as equivalent to 'the inward man,' or 'the inward parts' (see Plummer, CC International Critical Commentary, in loc.; cf. Mr 7:18 f., Lu 16:9). It is not enough to give alms mechanically; the gift must be accompanied by the spontaneous bestowal of the giver's self, as it were, to the receiver.
J. R. Willis.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
And when they had eaten them up, it could not be seen that they had eaten them; but they were still evil of appearance, as at the beginning. And I awoke.
And you shall take all the fat that covers the inward parts, and the lobe on the liver, and the two kidneys, and the fat on them, and burn them upon the altar.
Also you shall take from the ram the fat and the fat tail, and the fat that covers the inward parts, and the lobe on the liver, and the two kidneys and the fat on them, and the right shoulder, for it is a ram of consecration;
And he shall bring near from the sacrifice the peace offering, a fire offering to Jehovah. The fat that covers the inward parts, all the fat that is on the inward parts,
And he shall offer of the sacrifice of the peace offering, a fire offering to Jehovah. He shall take away its fat, all its fat next to the backbone, and all the fat that covers the inward parts, and all the fat that is on the inward parts,
And he shall offer his offering of it, a fire offering to Jehovah, the fat that covers the inward parts, and all the fat on the inward parts,
And all the fat of the bull of the sin offering, he shall lift up the fat which is covering over the inward parts, and all the fat which is on the inward parts,
And the skin of the young bull, and all its flesh, with its head, and with its legs, and its inward parts, and its dung,
And he shall offer all its fat; he shall offer the fat tail of it, and the fat that covers the inward parts,
And he brought the ram for the burnt offering. And Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the ram.
And he washed the inward parts and the legs in water. And Moses burned the whole ram on the altar. It was a burnt sacrifice for a sweet savor, a fire offering to Jehovah, even as Jehovah commanded Moses.
And he stretched himself on the child three times, and cried to Jehovah, and said, O Jehovah my God, please let this child's soul come to him again.
Who has put wisdom in the inward parts? Or who has given understanding to the mind?
For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is wickedness; their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongue.
O let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, but establish the just. For the righteous God tries the minds and hearts.
Examine me, O Jehovah, and prove me; purify my heart and my mind.
Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts; and in the hidden part You shall make me to know wisdom.
Surely they have plotted to cast him down from his great height; they delight in lies; they bless with their mouth, but they curse in their heart. Selah.
They search out injustice, saying, We have finished hiding a hidden plot. Yea, the inward part of man and the heart are deep.
The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
The spirit of man is the lamp of Jehovah, searching all the inward parts of the belly.
The stripes of a wound cleanses away evil, and strokes the inward parts of the belly.
and if you draw out your soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall your light rise in darkness, and your darkness shall be as the noonday.
But, O Jehovah of Hosts who judges rightly, who tries the heart and the mind, let me see Your vengeance on them. For to You I have revealed my cause.
but this shall be the covenant that I will cut with the house of Israel: After those days, says Jehovah, I will put My Law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Even so you also appear righteous to men outwardly, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
And He said to them, Are you also without understanding? Do you not perceive that whatever enters into the man from outside cannot defile him,
And the Lord said to him, Now you Pharisees make the outside of the cup and the platter clean, but your inward part is full of plunder and wickedness.
But give alms of such things as you have, and behold, all things are clean to you.
And I say to you, Make friends by the mammon of unrighteousness for yourselves, so that when you fail, they may receive you into everlasting dwellings.
And I will kill her children with death. And all the churches will know that I am He who searches the reins and hearts, and I will give to every one of you according to your works.