“heart...kidneys.” In the biblical world, the “heart” refers to the thoughts, not the emotions. The Word of God points to the fact that our kidneys, bowels, and belly (or womb) are part of our mental/emotional life, not “just physical organs.” Our “gut,” including our intestines, bowels, kidneys, and stomach contain as many nerve cells as our brain, and studies are now showing that our “gut” contributes significantly to our emotional life and health. When the Bible mentions “heart” and “kidneys” it refers to the thought life (“heart”) and emotional life (“kidneys”).

[For more on the heart referring to the thought life, see commentary on Proverbs 15:21. For more on kidneys referring to the emotional life, see commentary on Revelation 2:23, “kidneys.”]

“felt pierced.” The Hebrew word is an imperfect form, indicating a feeling that continued (for the translation “felt pierced,” see HALOT.^a