κοιλία (koilia)
koilia
belly/womb/stomach
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 22 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek word koilia refers to the hollow cavity of the body, encompassing both the stomach and the womb. Its root meaning is simply "hollow," which explains why it serves as a broad term for any internal space. In the New Testament, this physical reality appears in diverse contexts, from Jesus’ comparison of himself to Jonah being in the belly of a great fish (Matthew 12:40) to Mary’s greeting that causes Elizabeth’s unborn child to leap in her womb (Luke 1:41).
Translators often render koilia as "belly" or "womb," but the word carries a deeper metaphorical weight. It can describe the innermost seat of human desire or emotion. Paul uses it critically when he warns against those whose god is their belly, implying that selfish appetite has replaced spiritual devotion (Philippians 3:19). Conversely, John presents a positive image where living water flows out from the koilia, suggesting the heart as the source of divine life (John 7:38).
This duality highlights how the ancients viewed the body’s center as the locus of both physical need and spiritual depth. Whether referring to the nourishment of the fetus or the cravings of the flesh, koilia points to what is hidden yet vital within a person.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word koilia points to the hollow center of our physical existence, covering both the stomach that needs food and the womb that nurtures life. In the New Testament, this term moves beyond anatomy to describe what truly drives a person. It can represent the deepest source of spiritual vitality or the lowest level of selfish craving.
When Jesus speaks of living water flowing from within, He invites us to look past surface-level needs to the wellspring of faith inside us. Conversely, warnings about serving one’s belly remind us that physical appetites can easily become idols if they replace devotion to God. This duality calls for honest self-examination regarding what occupies our innermost thoughts.
Whether reflecting on the joy of new life or the discipline of spiritual hunger, koilia challenges us to consider where our true sustenance comes from. It is an invitation to align our deepest desires with divine purpose rather than fleeting satisfaction.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 22 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- womb7×
- belly6×
- stomach3×
- [the] womb3×
- wombs1×
- womb.1×
- stomach,1×
- belly,1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- κοιλίας7×
- κοιλίᾳ4×
- κοιλίαν4×
- κοιλία4×
- κοιλίᾳ.1×
- κοιλίᾳ,1×
- κοιλίαν,1×
- κοιλίαι1×
Key Verses
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Luke 1:41
When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
This verse shows the word describing the fetal womb, highlighting how the unborn child responds to spiritual presence before birth.
-
Philippians 3:19
whose end is destruction, whose god is the belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who think about earthly things.
Here the term metaphorically identifies selfish appetite as a false god, contrasting earthly cravings with heavenly devotion.
-
John 7:38
He who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, from within him will flow rivers of living water.”
Jesus uses this concept of inner depth to promise that believers will become sources of living water for others.
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Matthew 12:40
For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the huge fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
The reference to the fish's belly serves as a physical parallel to Jesus’ time in the earth, emphasizing the reality of His burial.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does koilia mean in the Bible?
How is koilia different from other words for stomach?
Why is the word used in Philippians 3:19?
Every Occurrence (22 verses across 10 books)
Matthew 3 verses
For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the huge fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and…
Matthew 15:17Don’t you understand that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the belly and then out of the body?
Matthew 19:12For there are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother’s womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by…