UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament

Sense 1: intestines

Semantic entry: 8.58

Semantic domains: Body, Body Parts, and Body Products

Subdomains: Parts of the Body

Definition: the inner parts of the body, especially the intestines

Sense 2: heart, feelings, desires

Semantic entry: 26.11

Semantic domains: Psychological Faculties

Definition: (figurative extension of meaning of σπλάγχνον[a] ‘intestines,’ 8.58: σπλάγχνον) the psychological faculty of desire, intent, and feeling{N:001}

Notes: Though some persons have attempted to distinguish between σπλάγχνον[b], κοιλία[c], and νεφρός, it is extremely doubtful whether this is really possible or practical. The semantic focus in the use of these terms is clearly the deeper and more intimate feelings and emotions. In some languages one can use a term which literally means ‘belly’ or ‘bowels,’ but more often than not, these emotions are associated with some particular organ of the body such as heart, spleen, liver, etc. Rather, however, than attempting to employ a figurative expression which may or may not be fully equivalent, it is often preferable to refer to the emotional content by using terms such as ‘feelings,’ ‘intents,’ ‘desires,’ or ‘compassion,’ depending upon the context.

Sense 3: great affection for, love, compassion

Semantic entry: 25.49

Semantic domains: Attitudes and Emotions

Subdomains: Love, Affection, Compassion

Definition: experiencing great affection and compassion for someone

Notes: In RV PHP 1:8 · LV PHP 1:8 · Read together PHP 1:8 the phrase ἐν σπλάγχνοις Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ is ambiguous. It may mean ‘because of the compassion which Christ Jesus himself has for you’ or ‘… for me.’ On the other hand, it may also be interpreted as characterizing the kind of love which Paul has for the believers, for example, ‘how I long for all of you, even with the kind of love Christ Jesus himself has for you.’

Sense 4: object of affection

Semantic entry: 25.50

Semantic domains: Attitudes and Emotions

Subdomains: Love, Affection, Compassion

Definition: one for whom there is deep affection or compassion

Sense 5: to not respond with affection to someone, to close one’s heart to

Semantic entry: 25.54

Semantic domains: Attitudes and Emotions

Subdomains: Love, Affection, Compassion

Definition: (an idiom, literally: to be restricted in the bowels) to restrict one’s affection for someone

Notes: In RV CO2 6:12 · LV CO2 6:12 · Read together CO2 6:12 it is also possible to understand στενοχωρέομαι as meaning ‘to live with severe restrictions’ (see 37.18: στενοχωρέω), and σπλάγχνα may be interpreted as a psychological faculty of intent and feeling (see 26.11: κοιλία / 26.11: νεφρός / 26.11: σπλάγχνον).

Collocations: στενοχωρέομαι ἐν τοῖς σπλάγχνοις