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The Word “Reins”

1. Notice, now, what Psalm 139 tells us in the King James Version. Psalm
139:13-17.

COMMENT: Even without a detailed study of this passage, one can get a feel
that a person’s genetic nature, and hence what he “is,” is determined before
he is born. A word-study of some of the individual words in this passage will
add to this conviction.

2. Notice the word “REINS” in verse 13.

COMMENT: The word “reins” as “kilyah” is translated 18 times out of 31 oc-
currences as “kidneys”. These 18 times are used in relationship to the Old
Covenant sacrifices and are about consecrating those who minister to
YEHOVAH God in the priest’s office -- (Exodus 29:13ff). The selection of
priests was race-tribe-specific, and the burning of the kidneys was performed
after the girding of the priests with the robe of the ephod, the ephod itself, and
the breastplate.

3. What does Exodus 29:45-46 tell us?

COMMENT: This whole matter concerns only one race of people, namely
“the Children of Israel” and indicates the principle whereby YEHOVAH God
will dwell amongst His people. Furthermore it gives the conviction that
YEHOVAH is “their God,” that is, He is “The God of Israel.”

4. What is the term “reins” sometimes paired with? Psalm 7:9.

COMMENT: Thirteen times where the word is translated as “reins”, it is used
in connection with the behavior we allow, that is they are usually given in con-
junction with the “heart”:

5. Notice, also, Psalm 16:6.

COMMENT: The “reins” are what we are, and the “heart” is how we respond
by our works. Vine’s Expository Dictionary gives “heart” as meaning, “Mans’
entire mental and moral activity, both the rational and the emotional ele-
ments.” Other dictionaries give such as, “Used figuratively of the seat of emo-
tion and affection.”

6. In the New Testament pages, there is only one translation as “reins,” and
this again is joined with the word “hearts.” Revelation 2:23, KJV.

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