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KIDNEYS
1. Literal.—(1) The choice portions of animals sacrificed to J″ [Note: Jahweh.] included the kidneys (Exo_29:13; Exo_29:22, Lev_3:4; Lev_3:10; Lev_3:15; Lev_4:9; Lev_7:4; Lev_8:16; Lev_8:25; Lev_9:10; Lev_9:19; cf. Isa_34:6). The term is even transferred (if the text is correct) to choice wheat (Deu_32:14). (2) Limited to poetry is the use of this term in regard to human beings, and the rendering is always ‘reins’ (see below). They are ‘possessed’ (RVm [Note: Revised Version margin.] ‘formed’) by J″ [Note: Jahweh.] (Psa_139:13), and are, metaphorically, wounded by J″ [Note: Jahweh.] ’s arrows (Job_16:13; cf. Job_19:27, Lam_3:13). (3) AVm [Note: Authorized Version margin.] of Lev_15:2; Lev_22:4 is incorrect; there is no mention of reins; and in Isa_11:5 the “word so rendered means ‘loins.’
2. Figurative.—Here the EV [Note: English Version.] rendering is always ‘reins’ (Lat. renes, pl.; the Gr. equivalent being nephroi, whence ‘nephritis,’ etc.). The avoidance of the word ‘kidneys’ is desirable, because we do not regard them as the seat of emotion. But the Biblical writers did so regard them. It was as natural for them to say ‘This gladdens my reins’ as it is natural—and incorrect—for us to say ‘This gladdens my heart.’ And, in fact, in the passages now cited the terms ‘reins’ and ‘heart’ are often parallel: Psa_7:9; Psa_16:7; Psa_26:2; Psa_73:21, Pro_23:16, Jer_11:20; Jer_12:2; Jer_17:10; Jer_20:12, Wis_1:6, 1Ma_2:24, Rev_2:23.
H. F. B. Compston.