The Tail Section

LOST - The Kidney Connection

Lost Mythology — December 13, 2006 at 7:55 am by docarzt

When I was pouring the kidney beans into my chili last night, it struck me again how people in Biblical times associated kidneys with higher human processes and emotions. Well, not really, but I figured I’d stretch the very fibers of logic and reason to get started on an article about Old Testament nuggets that coincidently parallel certain tenets of my favorite TV show. (This is what happens when a Lost addict is in severe withdrawal during a seriously long hiatus.)


Granted, the Lost developers are not skilled surgeons – alas, they’re only writers. However, I suspect that occasionally, while working on a Lost storyline, Damon Lindelof might run into a “Grey’s Anatomy” scripter in the hall and so, if he really needed some plot advice for unique medical stories involving organs, he could easily get assistance in his own backyard. Therefore, I can’t ignore the human organ coincidence of Locke’s kidney transplant and Jack’s choice in puncturing Ben’s kidney during the surgery cliffhanger. Of all the things Jack could have done to buy some time, he went straight for the kidney, of all organs. Do the writers just love kidneys as much as me? Or, could there be some deeper symbolic relevance?

Interestingly, kidneys are mentioned over 30 times in the Bible. The human kidneys figuratively represent the site of temperament, emotions, prudence, vigor, and wisdom within the human body. Even more intriguing, kidneys are mentioned as the organs examined by God to judge an individual. The Talmud actually goes so far as to say one kidney prompts evil and the other kidney prompts good. Most current Bibles have exchanged the word “kidneys” or “reins” with mind/soul so the metaphor is not lost.

After a seriously addicted Lost fan ponders the relevance of kidney symbolism while preparing dinner, the only obvious area to further obsess on is my favorite, evil bunny shaker, Ben Linus. My mind (aka kidneys) hasn’t stopped wondering since Episode Six: ”Is his name really Ben Linus? Is he really a native of the island? Is he related to anyone? Why is he so darned evil?

Even though I’m well aware that Lost writers integrate multiple sources of symbolism into the show, during my latest OCD thought session, I found myself stuck on the Biblical connections. Thus, I examined “Benjamin” and his tribe from the Old Testament since I was already in a Biblical state of mind (with all apologies to Billy Joel and New York).

Benjamin was the twelfth, youngest and favorite son of Jacob.(Temporary favorite, anyway.) Yes, JACOB. I’ll get back to that little nugget, don’t you worry. In the meantime, Ben’s mother, Jacob’s wife, was Rachel, who died while delivering Benjamin in transit. Rachel’s last words were providing Benjamin a name, Ben-oni, "son of my sorrow." Her sorrow was based on the fact that she had been infertile for so long and only after telling God she’d die without children of her own did she conceive. Perhaps, U2’s song “With or Without You,” is a shout out to sorrowful Rachel? Nevertheless, after she died, Jacob (yes, JACOB) changed his name to Benjamin because Jacob was a serious jerk. (Be patient. Jacob news is coming soon.)

Benjamin’s saga and posterity all relate to his tribe. The tribe of Benjamin existed in a tremendously small area. Furthermore, the tribe itself was small in quantity. In fact, they were almost eliminated wholly after a battle in retaliation for a “disgraceful incident.” A great division among the nation existed and continued to increase. The only way for his tribe to continue was to join forces with another tribe in an effort to triumph over their enemies. Eventually they conquered the enemies, who quickly fled the land.

At some point during the tribal battles and allegiances, Benjamin and his father Jacob had a falling out . In fact, when Jacob was dying, he uttered a rather disturbing message about his son. (Jacob lived for a very, very long time as he was quite healthy, vital, and strong.)

“Benjamin is a ravening wolf, in the morning he devours the prey, in the evening he snatches a share of the spoil.” (Genesis 49:27)

Interesting!! A dysfunctional father-son relationship – would the Lost writers throw a symbolist bone to that theme? My guess? Absolutely.

Okay, okay. Let’s take a quick peak at Jacob, from the Old Testament.

Not only did Jacob have a son named Benjamin of all things, he also had a twin brother. Jacob’s twin brother, Esau, was the first born. (Is it just me, or is the name Esau so incredibly similar to Rousseau?) Like most twins, Esau and Jacob were quite different. Esau was described as a “ruddy” hunter who eventually became quite savage. On the other hand, Jacob enjoyed researching and being a bad twin.

Eventually, Jacob cheated and deceived Esau in order to gain the privileges typically held for the first born. When Esau learned of his brother’s deception, he vowed to kill him and “live by the sword.” Jacob’s mother warned him of Esau’s rage and advised him to journey somewhere else where Esau couldn’t find him. Upon arrival, Jacob was amazed at the perfection and beauty that surrounded him: "How awesome is this place! Jacob named the place, "Bethel" (literally, "House of God")

So, in a nutshell, we have a set of dueling twins, a dysfunctional father-son relationship between Benjamin and Jacob, and an understanding that kidneys are very important organs in the human body.

I suspect that some of the aforementioned Old Testament connections could very well serve as symbolism and /or foreshadowing for the show. In fact, I think the only thing that more overtly symbolic would be for a real Christian Shepherd to come sit down and have a bowl of leftover chili with me. Although, I might offer a Christian Shepherd something other than chili – it can be as difficult to digest spicy chili as it is to digest Lost. And, just in case Jack’s own dysfunctional dad is scheduled for filming future flashbacks anytime soon, I don’t want him to suffer indigestion before work.

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