Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  5000 Humanity  »  5125 Parts of the body and clothing  »  5132 biting

The use of teeth to harm, threaten or express frustration. It is illustrative of the effect of slander, cold wind, excessive wine or of God's judgment.

Biting used literally

An effect of demon-possession

See also Mark 9:18

Biting by reptiles and animals

Numbers 21:6 See also Ecclesiastes 10:8,11; Daniel 6:24

Reptiles and animals prevented from biting

Daniel 6:21-22 See also Mark 16:18; Acts 28:4-5; Hebrews 11:33

Biting used metaphorically

Of God's judgment on the wicked

Jeremiah 8:17 See also Joel 1:6; Amos 5:19; Amos 9:3

Of the wicked against God's people

Acts 7:54 See also Psalm 35:16; Psalm 37:12; Lamentations 2:16; 1 Corinthians 15:32 A fulfilment of the prophecy of Isa 22:13, indicating that the devouring of God's people is a part of the greed of the wicked; 2 Timothy 4:17

Of Satan and demons

1 Peter 5:8; Revelation 9:8

Of the frustration of the wicked

Luke 13:28 See also Psalm 112:10; Matthew 8:12; Matthew 13:42; Matthew 22:13; Matthew 24:51; Matthew 25:30; Revelation 16:10

Of quarrelling, slander and treachery

Galatians 5:15 See also Genesis 49:17; Psalm 57:4; Psalm 58:4; Psalm 140:3; Romans 3:13-14; 2 Corinthians 12:20

Of a cold wind

Job 37:9-10 See also Isaiah 28:2

Of penetrating sarcasm

Matthew 23:27-28 See also Psalm 115:3-7; Isaiah 46:5-7; 1 Corinthians 4:8; 2 Corinthians 12:11-13

Of the effect of excessive wine

Proverbs 23:31-32

See also

4130  demons
4603  animals
4687  snake
4860  wind
5189  teeth
5546  speech
5924  quarrelsomeness
5951  slander
5969  treachery
8794  persecution
9210  judgment, God's
9510  hell