The biblical view of the kidney.
The biblical view of the kidney differs radically from the modern perception. For example, there is no reference in the Bible to the fact that the kidneys make urine. The kidneys were viewed as the seat of conscience and of ethical feelings and yearnings, and the source of mortality and ethical activity. The kidneys were believed to be associated with the innermost parts of the personality. There are references to God examining the ethical nature of man through the kidneys or punishing man by injuring the kidneys. The fat around the kidneys was considered to be of special value for sacrifice and may have symbolized luxury or opulence. Much of the biblical understanding of the anatomy of the kidneys and the anatomic relationships between the kidneys, perirenal fat and the liver appears to be derived from observations made in domestic animals.
Department of Medicine, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance 90509.
J D
JD
Kopple
D001633:Bible; D049690:History, Ancient; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D012068:Religion and Medicine