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 known that they had eaten them; but they were still ugly, as at the beginning. So I awoke.
And thou shalt take all the fat that covers the intestines and the caul that is above the liver and the two kidneys and the fat that is upon them and burn them upon the altar.
Then thou shalt take of the ram the fat and the tail and the fat that covers the intestines and the caul above the liver and the two kidneys and the fat that is upon them and the right shoulder, for it is a ram of consecrations,
Then he shall offer of the sacrifice of the peace for an offering on fire unto the LORD: the fat that covers the intestines and all the fat that is upon the inwards,
And he shall offer of the sacrifice of the peace an offering on fire unto the LORD: its fat and the whole tail, which he shall take off from the backbone and the fat that covers the intestines and all the fat that is upon the inwards,
Then he shall offer thereof his offering, even an offering on fire unto the LORD: the fat that covers the intestines and all the fat that is upon the inwards,
And he shall take off all the fat of the bullock for the sin: the fat that covers the intestines and all the fat that is upon the inwards,
And the skin of the bullock and all its flesh, with its head and with its legs, and his intestines and his dung,
And he shall offer of it all the fat thereof, the tail and the fat that covers the intestines
After that, he brought the ram of the burnt offering, and Aaron and his sons laid their hands upon the head of the ram,
Then he washed the intestines and the legs in water, and Moses burnt the whole ram upon the altar; it was a burnt sacrifice in a very acceptable aroma, an offering on fire unto the LORD, as the LORD had commanded Moses.
And he stretched himself upon the child three times and cried unto the LORD and said, O LORD my God, I pray thee, let this child's soul come into him again.
Who put wisdom in the inward parts? Or who gave intelligence to understanding?
For there is no uprightness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue.
Let wickedness consume the wicked; but establish the just: for the righteous God is he who tries the hearts and kidneys.
Examine me, O LORD and prove me; melt my kidneys and my heart.
Behold, thou dost desire truth in the inward parts, and in the secret things thou hast made me to know wisdom.
They only consult to cast him down from his greatness; they delight in lies; they bless with their mouth, but they curse in their inward parts. Selah.
They search out iniquities; they perfect and put into effect that which they have invented in the inward thought of each one of them and that which they have devised in their heart.
The words of a talebearer seem smooth, but they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
The spirit of man is the fire of the LORD, which searches the secrets of the inward parts.
The scars of past wounds are medicine for evil, and living reproof reaches the most secret places in the inward parts.
and if thou pour out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday:
But, O LORD of the hosts, that judges righteously, that tries the kidneys and the heart, let me see thy vengeance on them, for unto thee I have uncovered my cause.
But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, said the LORD, I will give my law in their souls and write it in their hearts and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Keep yourselves also from the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
And he said unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not understand that anything from outside that enters into the man cannot defile him?
And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness.
But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you.
And I say unto you, Make friends unto yourselves with the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when these fail, you may be received into eternal dwellings.
And I will kill her children with death, and all the congregations shall know that I AM he that searches the kidneys and hearts, and I will give unto each one of you according to your works.