"a cavity; the belly, Mt. 15:17; Mk. 7:19; the stomach, Mt. 12:40; Lk. 15:16; the womb, Mt. 19:12; Lk. 1:15; from the Hebrew, the inner self, Jn. 7:38"
Definition and meaning
a cavity; the belly, Mt. 15:17; Mk. 7:19; the stomach, Mt. 12:40; Lk. 15:16; the womb, Mt. 19:12; Lk. 1:15; from the Hebrew, the inner self, Jn. 7:38
In the original Greek the word is written: κοιλία
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of koilia (G2836) across the King James Bible.
For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?
For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from their mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it.
Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?
For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.
And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost:
And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.
For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked.
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Common questions
Strong's G2836 (koilia) is a Greek word that means: a cavity; the belly, Mt. 15:17; Mk. 7:19; the stomach, Mt. 12:40; Lk. 15:16; the womb, Mt. 19:12; Lk. 1:15; from the Hebrew, the inner self, Jn. 7:38 It appears 22 times in the King James Bible.
The word koilia (G2836) appears 22 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G2836 is koilia, a Greek word defined as: a cavity; the belly, Mt. 15:17; Mk. 7:19; the stomach, Mt. 12:40; Lk. 15:16; the womb, Mt. 19:12; Lk. 1:15; from the Hebrew, the inner self, Jn. 7:38. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
koilia is a Greek word found in the New Testament.