Does anyone know what the sacrifices that were given to God represent? I once read the sacrifice of kidneys represented emotions
I don't know what books you have in your Logos library, but if you've got the ISBE (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia), there's a very thorough article in it on Sacrifices and Offerings in the OT. Most of the other Bible dictionaries will have some sort of entry on Sacrifices which should give you a good start. If you do a Basic Search for sacrifice, notice the TOPIC section at the top of the search results that will give you quick links to look up this term in all your Bible dictionaries.
Do the same for kidneys, as there are dictionary entries for it. Here's the one from ISBE in case you don't have it:
KIDNEYS kidʹnēz [always in the pl; Heb kelāyôṯ; Gk nephroí; Lat renes, whence the English "reins"]. "Reins" and "kidneys" are synonyms, but the AV undertook a distinction by using the former word in the figurative and the latter in the literal passages. In figurative uses the RSV generally translates "heart," "inward parts," "mind," or "soul." The ancient Hebrews assigned specific emotional functions to the major organs of the body, regarding the kidneys as the seat of passion and anger; they apparently did not understand the organs’ physiological action.
The kidneys were important in the sacrificial rituals because of the adipose tissue surrounding them. This fat was remarkably pure and in literary use became synonymous with excellence, prosperity, and the like (cf. Job 15:27; Isa. 25:6; Ezk. 34:3; etc.). Being readily combustible, the abdominal fat served sacrificial purposes well and so was credited with a particular sanctity (Lev. 7:22–33; 1 S. 2:16). The kidneys and their accompanying fat were burned in every sacrifice in which the entire animal was not consumed, whether in peace (Lev. 3:4ff; 9:19), sin (Ex. 29:13; Lev. 4:9; 8:16; 9:10), or guilt (Lev. 7:4) offerings. In Isa. 34:6 the fat of rams’ kidneys was equated in importance with the blood of lambs and goats in the sacrificial system. Being rather inaccessible, the kidneys represented dramatically the more remote parts of a person (Ps. 139:13; RSV "inward parts"). Thus to have the kidneys slashed open was tantamount to complete destruction of the individual (cf. Job 16:13).
In a psychosomatic sense, the kidneys were credited with an ability to instruct the mind (Ps. 16:7; RSV "heart") or to challenge motivation (73:21; RSV "heart"). Similarly, God was held to withdraw from those who were governed by the emotions associated with the kidneys (Jer. 12:2; RSV "heart"). Proper control of the passions could bring rejoicing (Prov. 23:16; RSV "soul"); venting them would result in distress (2 Esd. 5:34) or anger (1 Macc. 2:24). God’s sovereignty over mankind enables Him to "try the minds and hearts" (Ps. 7:9 [MT 10]; 26:2; Jer. 11:20; 17:10; 20:12; Wisd. 1:6; Rev. 2:23) to determine motivations.
Rosie. Thanks for this response over a decade ago. It helped me a bit with a study I am doing on sacrifice in the Psalms and Proverbs through my online church. This is wonderful.
