Dictionary of Bible Themes » 5000 Humanity » 5125 Parts of the body and clothing » 5189 teeth
Scripture often uses teeth symbolically, to refer to the power of individuals or to human rage (as in the “gnashing of teeth”).
Teeth in a literal sense
In eating
Numbers 11:33 See also Daniel 7:5,7,19; Zechariah 9:7; Revelation 9:8
As an object of beauty
Songs 4:2 See also Genesis 49:12; Songs 6:6
As an object of fear
Job 41:14 See also Deuteronomy 32:24; Job 20:16; Joel 1:6
Teeth used symbolically
To represent offensive weapons
Psalm 57:4; Proverbs 30:14
To symbolise military power
Isaiah 41:15 See also Joel 1:6; Amos 1:3; Habakkuk 3:12
God rescues his people from the teeth of their enemies
Psalm 124:6 See also Job 4:10; Daniel 6:20-21
Breaking the teeth of the wicked ends their power
Psalm 3:7 See also Job 29:17; Psalm 58:6 Enemies are often described as dangerous animals.
Gnashing of teeth
In rage
Acts 7:54 See also Job 16:9; Psalm 35:16; Psalm 37:12
In frustration
Psalm 112:10
In anguish
Matthew 8:12; Matthew 13:42,50; Matthew 22:13; Matthew 24:51; Matthew 25:30; Luke 13:28
In gloating
Lamentations 2:16
Under demonic influence
Mark 9:18
Proverbial sayings about teeth
Job 19:20; Proverbs 10:26; Jeremiah 31:29-30; Ezekiel 18:2
See also
4040 beauty 4508 sickle 4522 threshing 5132 biting 5481 proverb 5789 anger
