Belly
Belly (usually בֶּטֶן, be'ten, κοιλία, especially the womb; also מֵעַים, meim', γαστήρ, especially the bowels). Among the Hebrews and most ancient nations, the belly was regarded as the seat of the carnal affections, as being, according to their notions, that which first partakes of sensual pleasures (Tit 1:2; Php 3:9; Ro 16:18). It is used likewise symbolically for the heart, the innermost recesses of the soul (Pr 18:8; Pr 20:27; Pr 22:18). The expression embittering of the belly signifies all the train of evils which may come upon a man (Jer 4:19; Jer 9:15; comp. Nu 18:27). The "belly of hell" signifies the grave, or the under world. It is a strong phrase to express Jonah's dreadful condition in the deep (Jon 2:2).
