"the chief intestines, viscera; the entrails, bowels, Acts 1:18; met. the heart, the affections of the heart, the tender affections, Lk. 1:78; 2 Cor. 6:12; 7:15; Phil. 1:8, 2:1; Col. 3:12; Phlm. 7, 20; 1 Jn. 3:17; meton. a cherished one, dear as one’s self, Phlm. 12*"
Definition and meaning
the chief intestines, viscera; the entrails, bowels, Acts 1:18; met. the heart, the affections of the heart, the tender affections, Lk. 1:78; 2 Cor. 6:12; 7:15; Phil. 1:8, 2:1; Col. 3:12; Phlm. 7, 20; 1 Jn. 3:17; meton. a cherished one, dear as one’s self, Phlm. 12*
In the original Greek the word is written: σπλάγχνον
Historical context
Luke wrote as a historian addressing a Greek audience. He carefully interviewed eyewitnesses and arranged events in order. The social and economic realities he describes — Roman taxation, Jewish religious hierarchy, the marginalization of women and the poor — are consistent with first-century Judea under Roman administration.
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 splanchnon (G4698) across the King James Bible.
Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,
Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.
Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels.
And his inward affection is more abundant toward you, whilst he remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him.
For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.
If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.
Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:
Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.
Refiner gives you the full lexicon entry, AI-powered verse insight, historical commentary, cross-references, and voice study — all in one place.
Free to start · Disciple $4.99/mo · Shepherd $9.99/mo
Common questions
Strong's G4698 (splanchnon) is a Greek word that means: the chief intestines, viscera; the entrails, bowels, Acts 1:18; met. the heart, the affections of the heart, the tender affections, Lk. 1:78; 2 Cor. 6:12; 7:15; Phil. 1:8, 2:1; Col. 3:12; Phlm. 7, 20;... It appears 11 times in the King James Bible.
The word splanchnon (G4698) appears 11 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G4698 is splanchnon, a Greek word defined as: the chief intestines, viscera; the entrails, bowels, Acts 1:18; met. the heart, the affections of the heart, the tender affections, Lk. 1:78; 2 Cor. 6. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
splanchnon is a Greek word found in the New Testament.