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 couldn't be known that they had eaten them, but they were still ugly, as at the beginning. So I awoke.
You shall take all the fat that covers the entrails, the cover of the liver, the two kidneys, and the fat that is on them, and burn them on the altar.
Also you shall take some of the ram's fat, the fat tail, the fat that covers the entrails, the cover of the liver, the two kidneys, the fat that is on them, and the right thigh (for it is a ram of consecration),
He shall offer of the sacrifice of peace offerings an offering made by fire to the LORD; the fat that covers the entrails, and all the fat that is on the entrails,
He shall offer from the sacrifice of peace offerings an offering made by fire to the LORD; its fat, the entire tail fat, he shall take away close to the backbone; and the fat that covers the inwards, and all the fat that is on the inwards,
He shall offer from it as his offering, an offering made by fire to the LORD; the fat that covers the entrails, and all the fat that is on the entrails,
He shall take all the fat of the bull of the sin offering off of it; the fat that covers the entrails, and all the fat that is on the entrails,
The bull's skin, all its flesh, with its head, and with its legs, its entrails, and its dung,
He shall offer all of its fat: the fat tail, and the fat that covers the entrails,
He presented the ram of the burnt offering: and Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the ram.
He washed the entrails and the legs with water; and Moses burned the whole ram on the altar. It was a burnt offering for a pleasant aroma. It was an offering made by fire to the LORD; as the LORD commanded Moses.
And he stretched himself upon the child three times, and called out to the LORD, and said, "LORD my God, please let this child's soul come into 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 heart is destruction. Their throat is an open tomb; with their tongue they are deceitful.
Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, but establish the righteous; their minds and hearts are searched by the righteous God.
Examine me, LORD, and prove me. Try my heart and my mind.
Behold, you desire truth in the inward parts. You teach me wisdom in the inmost place.
They fully intend to throw him down from his lofty place. They delight in lies. They bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah.
They plot injustice, saying, "We have made a perfect plan." Surely man's mind and heart are cunning.
The words of a gossip are like dainty morsels: they go down into a person's innermost parts.
The spirit of man is the LORD's lamp, searching all his innermost parts.
Wounding blows cleanse away evil, and beatings purge the innermost parts.
and if you draw out your soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul: then your light shall rise in darkness, and your obscurity be as the noonday;
"But, the LORD of hosts, who judges righteously, who tests the heart and the mind, I shall see your vengeance on them; for to you have I revealed my cause."
"But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days," says the LORD: "I will put my law in their inward parts, and in their heart will I write it; 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 are ravening wolves.
Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
He said to them, "Are you thus without understanding also? Do you not perceive that whatever goes into the man from outside cannot defile him,
The Lord said to him, "Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the platter, but your inward part is full of extortion and wickedness.
But give for gifts to the needy those things which are within, and see, all things will be clean to you.
I tell you, make for yourselves friends by means of unrighteous mammon, so that when it fails, they may receive you into the eternal tents.
I will kill her children with Death, and all the churches will know that I am he who searches the minds and hearts. I will give to each one of you according to your deeds.