Jeremiah 12:2Revelation 2:23Revelation 2:23Job 19:27Psalm 7:9Psalm 16:7Psalm 73:21Jeremiah 12:2Lamentations 3:13Proverbs 23:16Psalm 139:13Job 16:13

The kidneys are often associated with the heart as constituting the center of human personality (Psalm 7:9; Psalm 26:2; Jeremiah 11:20; Jeremiah 17:10; Jeremiah 20:12; Revelation 2:23 ). Because the areas around the kidneys are sensitive, the Hebrews believed the kidneys were the seat of the emotions (see Job 19:27; Psalm 73:21; Proverbs 23:16 ). The kidneys were also used figuratively as the source of the knowledge and understanding of the moral life (Psalm 16:7; Jeremiah 12:2 ).

When used literally of animals (except Isaiah 34:6 ) the kidneys are mentioned in relation to sacrifice. The kidney, along with the fat surrounding it, were reserved for God as among the choicest parts of the animal (Exodus 29:13 ,Exodus 29:13,29:22 ). Deuteronomy 32:14 (KJV) speaks of the best wheat as the “fat of kidneys” (see NRSV).