Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  5000 Humanity  »  5125 Parts of the body and clothing  »  5141 cheeks

Literally, the parts either side of the face. Striking the cheek is an extreme form of insult.

Cheeks as features of beauty

Songs 1:10 See also Songs 5:13

Cheeks can bear symbols of grief

Lamentations 1:2

Striking the cheek is a form of insult or challenge

Job 16:10; Matthew 5:39 See also Lamentations 3:30; Micah 5:1; Matthew 26:67; John 18:22-23; Luke 6:29

Plucking the beard from the cheek is a form of insult

Isaiah 50:6 See also 2 Samuel 10:4-5 pp 1 Chronicles 19:4-5

See also

2570  Christ, suffering
5130  beard
5149  eyes
5150  face
5865  gestures
5893  insults