Mouth

In addition to its normal physical functions, it has great potential for good and evil. The words of God's mouth are always effective. Mouth is also used in the sense of an entrance or opening.

The words of God's mouth

They are always effective

Lamentations 3:38 See also Isaiah 55:11

Do not both adversity and good come from the mouth of the Most High?

They are creative and life-giving

Deuteronomy 8:3 See also Psalm 33:6; Matthew 4:4

He humbled you, and in your hunger He gave you manna to eat, which neither you nor your fathers had known, so that you might understand that man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.

They bring judgment

Hosea 6:5 See also Job 15:30; 2 Thessalonians 2:8; Revelation 2:16

Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of My mouth, and My judgments go forth like lightning.

They are reliable

Numbers 23:19 See also 1 Kings 8:15 parallel 2 Chronicles 6:4; 1 Kings 8:24 parallel 2 Chronicles 6:15; Hebrews 6:13–18

God is not a man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?

They are to be treasured

Psalm 119:72 See also Joshua 1:8; Job 23:12; Psalm 119:13–14, Psalm 119:103

The law from Your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of gold and silver.

God puts his words into the mouths of his people

Deuteronomy 18:18 See also Exodus 4:12, Exodus 4:15; Numbers 22:38; 1 Kings 17:24; Isaiah 49:2; Jeremiah 1:7, Jeremiah 1:9; Ezekiel 3:1–4; Acts 4:25, Acts 4:31

I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. I will put My words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him.

The mouth used for eating and drinking

Proverbs 18:20 See also Judges 7:5–6; Psalm 78:29–30; Proverbs 19:24, Proverbs 30:20; Ecclesiastes 6:7; Ezekiel 4:14; Nahum 3:12; Acts 11:8

From the fruit of his mouth a man’s belly is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied.

The mouths of animals

The danger they represent

1 Samuel 17:35; Job 41:14, Job 41:19, Job 41:21; Amos 3:12

Enemies described as dangerous animals

Psalm 22:13 See also Psalm 22:21; 2 Timothy 4:17

They open their jaws against me like lions that roar and maul.

God controls the mouths of dangerous animals

Daniel 6:22 See also Numbers 22:28–30; Hebrews 11:33; 2 Peter 2:16; Revelation 12:15–16, Revelation 16:13

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.”

The mouth used for speaking

To speak what is good

Proverbs 10:11 See also Job 16:5; Psalm 19:14; Proverbs 8:7

The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

To praise

Psalm 71:8 See also Psalm 51:15, Psalm 63:5, Psalm 89:1; Romans 15:6

My mouth is filled with Your praise and with Your splendor all day long.

To testify about God

Psalm 71:15 See also Psalm 71:18; Romans 10:10

My mouth will declare Your righteousness and Your salvation all day long, though I cannot know their full measure.

To teach God's wisdom

Psalm 49:3 See also Psalm 37:30; Proverbs 10:31; Malachi 2:6–7; Matthew 13:35; Psalm 78:2

My mouth will impart wisdom, and the meditation of my heart will bring understanding.

To speak what is bad

Psalm 10:7 See also 1 Samuel 2:3; Job 20:12; Psalm 5:9, Psalm 36:3, Psalm 50:19; Proverbs 5:3, Proverbs 7:21, Proverbs 11:9, Proverbs 15:28, Proverbs 26:28; Isaiah 9:17, Isaiah 29:13; Luke 6:45; Revelation 13:5–6

His mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and violence; trouble and malice are under his tongue.

Gestures involving the mouth

Job 3:1 Opening the mouth signifies declaration; Job 21:5 Clapping the hand over the mouth signifies keeping silent from fear or astonishment; Acts 23:2 Striking the mouth signifies rebuke.

God fills mouths

With good things

Psalm 81:10

I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt. Open wide your mouth, and I will fill it.

With joy

Psalm 126:2 See also Ezra 3:13; Job 8:21, Job 35:10; Psalm 40:3, Psalm 132:16, Psalm 149:6; Isaiah 35:6; Luke 1:64

Then our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with shouts of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.”

With food

Psalm 145:15 See also Nehemiah 9:20; Psalm 78:27–30, Psalm 81:16, Psalm 104:27–28; Luke 1:53

The eyes of all look to You, and You give them their food in season.

Mouth meaning entrance or opening

The mouth of a well

Genesis 29:2–3, Genesis 29:8–10

The mouth of a sack

Genesis 42:27, Genesis 43:12, Genesis 43:21, Genesis 44:1–2, Genesis 44:8

The mouth of the grave

Psalm 141:7; Isaiah 5:14 “the grave” is literally “Sheol”, the shadowy abode of the departed.

Mouth likened to a sword

Job 5:15; Isaiah 49:2