מְעָה
only in plural the bowels
Definition
The Hebrew word מְעָה (mᵉʻâh) is an Aramaic noun used in the Old Testament, specifically in the book of Daniel. It appears only in the plural form, מְעָה, and refers to the internal organs, particularly the bowels or belly. In its sole biblical occurrence, Daniel 2:32, it describes the 'belly' of the statue in King Nebuchadnezzar's dream, representing the third part of the statue, which is made of bronze. This usage emphasizes the anatomical middle section of the figure, symbolizing a kingdom. The word is closely related to the Hebrew term מֵעֶה (mêʻeh, H4578), which more broadly denotes the inward parts, intestines, or womb.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the entire Old Testament, in Daniel 2:32, within the Aramaic portion of the book. It appears in the context of describing the metallic statue in Nebuchadnezzar's dream, specifically referring to its 'belly and thighs' made of bronze. The usage is purely descriptive and anatomical, serving to identify a part of the prophetic image without additional metaphorical or emotional connotations typical of similar terms in Hebrew poetry.
Etymology
מְעָה is an Aramaic noun corresponding to the Hebrew מֵעֶה (mêʻeh, H4578), which means 'inward parts,' 'bowels,' or 'womb.' Both terms derive from a common Semitic root meaning 'to be soft' or 'internal organs,' reflecting a focus on the body's visceral regions. The Aramaic form appears in Daniel due to the book's bilingual nature (Hebrew and Aramaic), showing linguistic adaptation while retaining the core meaning of internal anatomy.
Semantic Range
In ancient Near Eastern culture, terms for internal organs like מְעָה often carried symbolic weight, sometimes associated with emotions or seat of life (e.g., bowels as the source of compassion). However, in Daniel 2:32, the usage is straightforward and anatomical, describing a statue's structure without deeper symbolic meaning. This contrasts with how similar Hebrew words are used in poetic or prophetic texts to convey inner feelings or vulnerability.
מֵעֶה (mêʻeh, H4578) — The Hebrew counterpart, broader in usage, often referring to intestines, womb, or inward parts with emotional or life-related connotations. קֶרֶב (qerev, H7130) — 'inward part' or 'midst,' more general for interior or center, not specifically anatomical. בֶּטֶן (beṭen, H990) — 'belly' or 'womb,' commonly used for abdomen or as a metaphor for origin or inner self.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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