Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
3:4 kidneys . . . lobe of the liver: The Israelites saw the kidneys as organs of understanding, much like how we think of the brain (“I am overwhelmed [literally my kidneys are consumed],” Job 19:27; “heart,” Pss 7:9; 16:7; Jer 12:2; Lam 3:13; “motives,” Ps 26:2; Jer 17:10; “thoughts,” Jer 11:20; 20:12). The liver represented life and vitality, similar to how we think of the heart (Prov 7:23; “spirit,” Lam 2:11).
Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
3:4 kidneys . . . lobe of the liver: The Israelites saw the kidneys as organs of understanding, much like how we think of the brain (“I am overwhelmed [literally my kidneys are consumed],” Job 19:27; “heart,” Pss 7:9; 16:7; Jer 12:2; Lam 3:13; “motives,” Ps 26:2; Jer 17:10; “thoughts,” Jer 11:20; 20:12). The liver represented life and vitality, similar to how we think of the heart (Prov 7:23; “spirit,” Lam 2:11).
Literal English (Darby)ⓘThe Darby Bible (1890) — a deliberately literal, word-for-word translation used here as the Old Testament comparison text.The Darby Bible (1890) — a deliberately literal, word-for-word translation used here as the Old Testament comparison text.
and the two kidneys, and the fat that is on them, which is by the flanks, and the net above the liver which he shall take away as far as the kidneys;
Hebrew (Masoretic Text)ⓘThe Masoretic Text — the authoritative Hebrew manuscript tradition behind most Old Testaments, standardized by Jewish scribes (the Masoretes) between roughly the 7th and 10th centuries AD.The Masoretic Text — the authoritative Hebrew manuscript tradition behind most Old Testaments, standardized by Jewish scribes (the Masoretes) between roughly the 7th and 10th centuries AD.
King James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.
King James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.
And the two kidneys, and the fat that is on them, which is by the flanks, and the caul above the liver, with the kidneys, it shall he take away.
American Standard VersionⓘAmerican Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.American Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.
and the two kidneys, and the fat that is on them, which is by the loins, and the caul upon the liver, with the kidneys, shall he take away.
World English BibleⓘWorld English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.World English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.
and the two kidneys, and the fat that is on them, which is by the loins, and the cover on the liver, with the kidneys, he shall take away.
Bible in Basic EnglishⓘBible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written using a limited vocabulary of about 1,000 words.Bible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written using a limited vocabulary of about 1,000 words.
And the two kidneys, and the fat on them, which is by the top part of the legs, and the fat joining the liver and the kidneys, he is to take away;