Definition and Context
Biting, in the biblical context, often symbolizes aggression, harm, or destructive behavior. It is used both literally and metaphorically in Scripture to convey various moral and spiritual lessons. The act of biting can represent physical violence or verbal attacks, reflecting the broader themes of sin and human fallibility.

Biblical References

1. Literal Biting
While the Bible does not frequently mention literal biting, it does appear in contexts that highlight the dangers of wild animals or the consequences of sin. For example, in the wilderness, the Israelites faced the threat of venomous snakes as a consequence of their rebellion against God. Numbers 21:6 states, "So the LORD sent venomous snakes among the people, and many of the Israelites were bitten and died." This incident underscores the physical danger of biting and serves as a divine judgment for disobedience.

2. Metaphorical Biting
The metaphorical use of biting is more prevalent in Scripture, often illustrating harmful speech or actions. In Galatians 5:15 , Paul warns the church, "But if you keep on biting and devouring one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another." Here, biting symbolizes destructive behavior within the Christian community, emphasizing the need for love and unity rather than conflict and division.

3. Biting as a Symbol of Judgment
Biting can also symbolize divine judgment or the consequences of sin. In Ecclesiastes 10:8 , it is written, "He who digs a pit may fall into it, and he who breaches a wall may be bitten by a snake." This proverb highlights the principle of reaping what one sows, where harmful actions lead to self-inflicted consequences.

Theological Implications

Biting, whether literal or metaphorical, serves as a reminder of the destructive nature of sin and the importance of self-control. The Bible consistently calls believers to exercise restraint in their actions and words, promoting peace and edification within the community. James 3:6 describes the tongue as "a fire, a world of unrighteousness," illustrating the potential harm of unchecked speech, akin to the metaphorical biting that can destroy relationships and communities.

Moral and Ethical Lessons

The biblical teachings on biting encourage believers to reflect on their behavior and interactions with others. The call to avoid "biting and devouring" one another (Galatians 5:15) is a call to pursue the fruits of the Spirit, such as love, joy, peace, and patience (Galatians 5:22-23). By doing so, Christians can overcome the destructive tendencies symbolized by biting and instead build up the body of Christ in love and unity.

Practical Application

In practical terms, believers are encouraged to guard their tongues and actions, being mindful of the impact they have on others. Proverbs 15:1 advises, "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." This wisdom underscores the power of words and the importance of responding with grace and kindness, avoiding the metaphorical biting that can lead to conflict and division.1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Bite.

2. (a.) That bites; sharp; cutting; sarcastic; caustic.

1030. brugmos -- a biting, a gnashing of teeth
... a biting, a gnashing of teeth. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration:
brugmos Phonetic Spelling: (broog-mos') Short Definition: a grinding or gnashing ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1030.htm - 6k

2637. katalalos -- a defamer
... defamer. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: katalalos Phonetic Spelling:
(kat-al'-al-os) Short Definition: slanderous, back-biting Definition: slanderous ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2637.htm - 6k

1818. exapatao -- to seduce wholly, deceive
... 1818 ("deceived into illusion") emphasizes the of deception -- ie missing
true reality because "biting on the that brings the !". ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1818.htm - 7k

But Now, Since My Pleading Has Steered Its Course Out of These ...
... me. The first is that I am a scurrilous person, a detractor of every one;
that I am always snarling and biting at my predecessors. ...
/.../30 but now since my.htm

From the Death of Bishop Asbury to the Close of the General ...
... Though assailed often by bitter railing and biting sarcasm, he maintained the gravity
of the minister of Christ and the meekness of the consistent Christian. ...
/.../chapter 3 from the death.htm

Entire Sanctification Obtainable.
... The sorrow of the world may produce remorse, that continual biting which tortures
the soul of the lost; but remorse is not repentance, and the sorrow of the ...
/.../clark/the theology of holiness/chapter ii entire sanctification obtainable.htm

The Note of Pity.
... Seated yonder in his booth, biting his nails in vexation, he is the type of the
preacher whose righteous indignation, because of its lack of that element of ...
/.../jackson/the message and the man/chapter ii the note of.htm

The Shepherd of Pella
... He drove on and the woman, who had wrapped her cloak about her as the biting wind
of the hills heightened through the narrow defiles to the north, followed. ...
/.../miller/the city of delight/chapter iii the shepherd of.htm

The Comforts Belonging to Mourners
... He shows the best first and keeps the worst till last. First, he shows the wine
sparkling in the glass, then comes the biting of the serpent' (Proverbs 23:32). ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/11 the comforts belonging to.htm

These Discussions, Therefore, Concerning the Different Deserts of ...
... concerning Holy Virginity, and in a Book which we composed with as great pains as
we could against Faustus the Manichee; since, by most biting reproaches in ...
/.../augustine/on the good of widowhood /section 19 these discussions therefore.htm

Beware of False Teachers.
... of the ungodly is sudden, and a subject of rejoicing." [535] For "they are dumb
dogs, that cannot bark," [536] raving mad, and biting secretly, against whom ye ...
/.../chapter vii beware of false teachers.htm

The Christian Alone Rich.
... And riches, wriggling either in an experienced or inexperienced grasp, are dexterous
at adhering and biting; unless one, despising them, use them skilfully, so ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter vi the christian alone rich.htm

The Unrivalled Friend
... swarm around the plants while they are covered with flowers and those flowers contain
nectar for their honey; but let November send its biting frosts, the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/the unrivalled friend.htm

Biting (12 Occurrences)
...Biting (12 Occurrences). ... (BBE). Genesis 49:17 May Dan be a snake in the way, a horned
snake by the road, biting the horse's foot so that the horseman has a fall. ...
/b/biting.htm - 9k

Muzzle (4 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) A fastening or covering (as a band or cage) for the mouth of an
animal, to prevent eating or vicious biting. 4. (vt) To ...
/m/muzzle.htm - 9k

Nip (1 Occurrence)
... 3. (vt) To remove by pinching, biting, or cutting with two meeting edges
of anything; to clip. ... 10. (n.) A biting sarcasm; a taunt. 11. ...
/n/nip.htm - 7k

Leather (34 Occurrences)
... the mark is increased in the clothing, or in the threads of the material, or in
the leather, whatever the leather is used for, it is the disease biting into it ...
/l/leather.htm - 17k

Gnaw (4 Occurrences)
... or tough, which is not readily separated or crushed; to bite off little by little,
with effort; to wear or eat away by scraping or continuous biting with the ...
/g/gnaw.htm - 8k

Bitter (203 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) Having a peculiar, acrid, biting taste, like that of wormwood or
an infusion of hops; as, a bitter medicine; bitter as aloes. ...
/b/bitter.htm - 42k

Bite (13 Occurrences)
... 13. (n.) The wound made by biting; as, the pain of a dog's or snake's bite; the
bite of a mosquito. 14. (n.) A morsel; as much as is taken at once by biting. ...
/b/bite.htm - 12k

Material (61 Occurrences)
... the mark is increased in the clothing, or in the threads of the material, or in
the leather, whatever the leather is used for, it is the disease biting into it ...
/m/material.htm - 24k

Disease (213 Occurrences)
... the mark is increased in the clothing, or in the threads of the material, or in
the leather, whatever the leather is used for, it is the disease biting into it ...
/d/disease.htm - 39k

Venom (8 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The poisonous fluid excreted by snakes,
scorpions, spiders and bees by biting or stinging. 2. (n ...
/v/venom.htm - 8k

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