לְחוּם (la.chum)
la.chum
intestine
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun lechum refers to the intestines or bowels. It appears only twice in the Old Testament, in Zephaniah and Job. In both cases, it describes an inner part of the body that is often associated with deep emotion or physical distress.
Sources note that its exact meaning is uncertain. Some scholars suggest it may refer to food or something eaten, linking the word to the stomach’s function. This uncertainty reflects how rare and obscure the term is in biblical Hebrew. Translators usually render it as “bowels” or “intestines,” capturing the sense of an inner organ rather than a specific digestive process.
Its limited use makes it a minor but notable word in Scripture. It reminds readers that ancient languages often preserve details about the body and emotions that modern English does not directly mirror. The word’s rarity also highlights how some terms were used sparingly, perhaps for poetic or emphatic effect, rather than as common vocabulary.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word lechum appears in only two places in the Old Testament, referring to the innermost parts of the body. In ancient Hebrew thought, these deep organs were not just physical but also the seat of intense emotion and spiritual condition. When Scripture mentions them, it often points to a state of being that is fully exposed before God.
For your faith life, this reminds us that there are no hidden places in our inner being. Whether we are experiencing deep distress or facing judgment, our entire self—body, mind, and spirit—is known to the Lord. This knowledge can be comforting, as it means our struggles are seen and understood by Him who cares for us.
We do not need to hide our deepest pains or fears. God invites us to bring our whole selves to Him, trusting that He sees with perfect clarity and responds with grace. In moments of vulnerability, we can rest in the truth that our innermost being is held securely in His hands.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- in/ bowel[s]/ his1×
- and/ bowel[s]/ their1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וּ/לְחֻמָ֖/ם1×
- בִּ/לְחוּמֽ/וֹ\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Job 20:23
When he is about to fill his belly, God will cast the fierceness of his wrath on him. It will rain on him while he is eating.
This verse uses the context of internal distress to show how divine judgment penetrates to the deepest parts of a person's being.
-
Zephaniah 1:17
I will bring such distress on men that they will walk like blind men because they have sinned against Yahweh. Their blood will be poured out like dust and their flesh like dung.
Here the imagery of inner organs highlights the total vulnerability and exposure of people who have sinned against Yahweh.