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, Ecclesiastes 10:11; Daniel 6:24
So the LORD sent venomous snakes among the people, and many of the Israelites were bitten and died.
Reptiles and animals prevented from biting
Daniel 6:21–22 See also Mark 16:18; Acts 28:4–5; Hebrews 11:33
Then Daniel replied, “O king, may you live forever! My God sent His angel and shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, for I was found innocent in His sight, and I have done no wrong against you, O king.”
Biting used metaphorically
Of God's judgment on the wicked
Jeremiah 8:17 See also Joel 1:6; Amos 5:19, Amos 9:3
“For behold, I will send snakes among you, vipers that cannot be charmed, and they will bite you,” declares the LORD.
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 Isaiah 22:13, indicating that the devouring of God's people is a part of the greed of the wicked; 2 Timothy 4:17
On hearing this, the members of the Sanhedrin were enraged, and they gnashed their teeth at him.
Of Satan and demons
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
There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves are thrown out.
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
But if you keep on biting and devouring one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another.
Of a cold wind
Job 37:9–10 See also Isaiah 28:2
The tempest comes from its chamber, and the cold from the driving north winds. By the breath of God the ice is formed and the watery expanses are frozen.
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
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity. In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.
Of the effect of excessive wine
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.