belly: abdomen
be.ten denotes the womb in birth contexts, the bodily abdomen, and occasionally an inner cavity or inward seat of feeling.
The term most often marks the womb as the place of conception, formation, and birth; it also denotes the bodily abdomen and, in several vivid clauses, the inward place filled, shaken, or prepared. A rare use applies the image to an architectural feature.
Senses in use
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Womb in conception, formation, and birth · dominant
The construct and absolute noun occurs where children are conceived, carried, or born. In Genesis 25:24 the APB renders that twins were “in her womb,” while Isaiah 49:5 renders the speaker as formed “from the belly” for service; Deuteronomy 28:4 places the noun in the expression “fruit of your womb.”
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Bodily abdomen and its contents · common
In bodily scenes, the construct noun identifies the area struck, filled, or associated with physical strength. Judges 3:21 has a sword thrust “into his belly”; Job 20:15 describes riches vomited “from his belly”; and Job 40:16 locates strength in the muscles of the belly.
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Inner seat of agitation or stored expression · occasional
Several clauses use the noun for an inward place affected by emotion or pressure rather than a birth setting. In Habakkuk 3:16 the APB renders “my belly trembled,” and Job 32:19 compares the speaker’s belly to wine ready to burst as he is full of words.
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Rounded or enclosed architectural area · rare
In 1 Kings 7:20, the absolute noun identifies a location on the pillar capitals, which the APB renders as “close to the belly beside the latticework.” The clause applies the bodily spatial term to a built feature rather than to a person.
In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB commonly presents the term with “womb” in conception and birth clauses, but also uses “belly,” “stomach,” and “inward parts” in bodily or figurative settings. Some occurrences are not transparently represented by a single English word.