In biblical literature, the term "cheek" is often used both literally and metaphorically, symbolizing various aspects of human experience and divine teaching. The cheek is mentioned in several contexts throughout the Bible, reflecting themes of humility, non-retaliation, and suffering.

Old Testament References

The Hebrew word for cheek, "lechi," appears in several Old Testament passages. In Job 16:10, Job laments his suffering, saying, "They open their mouths against me and strike my cheeks with scorn; they unite together against me." Here, the striking of the cheek symbolizes humiliation and the deep affliction Job experiences at the hands of his adversaries.

In Lamentations 3:30, the prophet Jeremiah writes, "Let him offer his cheek to the one who would strike him; let him be filled with reproach." This passage reflects the theme of enduring suffering and shame, a call to accept hardship with patience and humility.

New Testament Teachings

The New Testament expands on the symbolic use of the cheek, particularly in the teachings of Jesus Christ. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus instructs His followers in Matthew 5:39, "But I tell you not to resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also." This teaching emphasizes the principle of non-retaliation and the call to respond to aggression with grace and forgiveness. It challenges believers to rise above the natural inclination for revenge and instead embody the love and mercy of Christ.

The Apostle Paul echoes this sentiment in Romans 12:17-21, where he advises believers not to repay evil for evil but to overcome evil with good. The concept of turning the other cheek is thus integral to Christian ethics, promoting peace and reconciliation over conflict and retribution.

Cultural and Historical Context

In the cultural context of the Bible, a slap on the cheek was considered an insult rather than a physical assault intended to cause harm. It was a gesture of contempt and disrespect. By instructing His followers to turn the other cheek, Jesus was advocating for a radical departure from the honor-shame dynamics prevalent in ancient societies. This teaching calls for a transformative approach to personal dignity and interpersonal relationships, rooted in the values of the Kingdom of God.

Symbolism and Application

The cheek, as a symbol, represents vulnerability and the willingness to endure suffering for the sake of righteousness. It is a call to embody the character of Christ, who Himself endured mockery and physical abuse without retaliation. For believers, the teaching to turn the other cheek serves as a powerful reminder of the call to live out the Gospel through acts of love, patience, and forgiveness, even in the face of adversity.

In summary, the biblical references to the cheek, both in the Old and New Testaments, provide profound insights into the nature of suffering, humility, and the Christian response to injustice. Through these teachings, believers are encouraged to reflect the character of Christ in their interactions with others, embracing a life of peace and reconciliation.Smiting on the cheek was accounted a grievous injury and insult (Job 16:10; Lamentations 3:30; Micah 5:1). The admonition (Luke 6:29), "Unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other," means simply, "Resist not evil" (Matthew 5:39; 1 Peter 2:19-23). Psalm 3:7 = that God had deprived his enemies of the power of doing him injury. 1. (n.) The side of the face below the eye.

2. (n.) The cheek bone.

3. (n.) Those pieces of a machine, or of any timber, or stone work, which form corresponding sides, or which are similar and in pair; as, the cheeks (jaws) of a vise; the cheeks of a gun carriage, etc.

4. (n.) The branches of a bridle bit.

5. (n.) A section of a flask, so made that it can be moved laterally, to permit the removal of the pattern from the mold; the middle part of a flask.

6. (n.) Cool confidence; assurance; impudence.

7. (v. t.) To be impudent or saucy to.

CHEEK TEETH

(methalle`ah, transposed from malta`ah (only in Psalm 58:6), literally "the biter," "crusher," "molar," "jaw-teeth," "great teeth" (Job 29:17 m; Joel 1:6)).

Figurative: The word is used as a synonym of reckless strength and cruelty.

CHEEK; CHEEKBONE

chek, chek'-bon:

(1) lechi; siagon, "the jaw," "jaw-bone," "side of the face." The Hebrew word denotes originally freshness and rounded softness of the cheek, a sign of beauty in youth and maiden (Songs 1:10; Songs 5:13). The oriental guards with jealous care his cheek from touch or defilement, therefore a stroke on the cheek was, and is to this day, regarded as an act of extreme rudeness of behavior, a deadly affront. Our Saviour, however, teaches us in Matthew 5:39 and Luke 6:29 that even this insult is to be ignored and pardoned.

Jawbones of animals have been frequently used as tools and weapons among primitive people. We see this sufficiently proven from cave deposits in many parts of the world, and from recent ethnological researches, especially in Australia. In the light of this evidence it is interesting to note that Samson used a jawbone of an ass with success against his enemies the Philistines (Judges 15:15).

(2) malqoach (Psalm 22:15), is a dual form indicative of the two jaws, to which a parched tongue seems to cleave.

(3) methalle`ah (Job 29:17), better "cheek teeth" (which see).

H. L. E. Luering

4600. siagon -- a jawbone, by impl. cheek
... cheek. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: siagon Phonetic Spelling:
(see-ag-one') Short Definition: the jawbone, cheek Definition: the jawbone ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4600.htm - 6k

4475. rhapisma -- a blow (with a stick or the palm of the hand)
... of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: rhapisma Phonetic Spelling: (hrap'-is-mah)
Short Definition: a slap Definition: a slap, blow on the cheek with the ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4475.htm - 6k

3895. lechi -- jaw, cheek
... 3894, 3895. lechi. 3896 . jaw, cheek. Transliteration: lechi Phonetic
Spelling: (lekh-ee') Short Definition: cheek. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/3895.htm - 6k

4973. methalleoth -- teeth
... cheek jaw tooth, jaw. Contr. From yala'; properly, a biter, ie A tooth -- cheek
(jaw) tooth, jaw. see HEBREW yala'. 4972, 4973. methalleoth. 4974 . ...
/hebrew/4973.htm - 6k

8377. teo -- antelope
... wild bull ox. And towt (the original form) {toh}; from ta'ah; a species of antelope
(probably from the white stripe on the cheek) -- wild bull (ox). ...
/hebrew/8377.htm - 6k

Of the Feigned Patience of Some who Offer the Other Cheek to be ...
... The Conferences of John Cassian. Chapter XX. Of the feigned patience of
some who offer the other cheek to be smitten. We are not ...
/.../cassian/the conferences of john cassian/chapter xx of the feigned.htm

As, when we Read in the Gospel, "Thou Hast Received a Blow in The. ...
... 27. As, when we read in the Gospel, "Thou hast received a blow in the face, make
ready the other cheek." [2339] Now as an example of patience can none be found ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/on lying/section 27 as when we.htm

The Answer that Christ Looks not Only at the Action but Also at ...
... store it up in the inmost recesses of the soul) gave us this summary of evangelical
perfection, saying: "If any one smites thee on thy right cheek, offer him ...
/.../cassian/the conferences of john cassian/chapter xxii the answer that.htm

Non-Resistance
... 39. But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite
thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.40. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/non-resistance.htm

Chapter xix.
... said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: but I say unto you, that ye resist
not evil; [167] but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/our lords sermon on the mount/chapter xix.htm

Celsus Then Extracts from the Gospel the Precept, "To Him who ...
... time, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth;" [4732] and on the other, we have
read, "I say unto you, Whoever shall smite thee on the one cheek, turn to ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xxv celsus then extracts.htm

The Precept of Loving One's Enemies it is as Much Taught in the ...
... in requiring "an eye for an eye, [4040] and a tooth for a tooth," [4041] and bids
us, on the contrary, "to him who smiteth us on the one cheek, to offer the ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter xvi the precept of loving.htm

But, Before I Make My Answer to Your Letter, I must Expostulate ...
... homicide? Have you learned from your Saviour the lesson that if one strike
you on the one cheek you should turn to him the other also? ...
/.../2 but before i make.htm

Nevertheless, a Necessity, as it Were, is Laid Upon Me to Reply ...
... But it is not true, as he says, that he turns the left cheek to one who
smites him on the right. It is on one who is stroking him ...
/.../2 nevertheless a necessity as.htm

Matt. v. 38, 39, 40
... But I say unto you, that ye resist not the evil: [787] but whosoever shall
smite thee on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xviii matt v 38.htm

Cheek (9 Occurrences)
... Smiting on the cheek was accounted a grievous injury and insult (Job 16:10;
Lamentations 3:30; Micah 5:1). The admonition (Luke 6:29), "Unto him that smiteth ...
/c/cheek.htm - 12k

Cheek-teeth (1 Occurrence)
Cheek-teeth. Cheeks, Cheek-teeth. Cheer . Multi-Version Concordance
Cheek-teeth (1 Occurrence). Psalms 58:6 Break their ...
/c/cheek-teeth.htm - 6k

Cheekbone (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia CHEEK; CHEEKBONE. chek, chek'-bon: (1) lechi;
siagon, "the jaw," "jaw-bone," "side of the face." The ...
/c/cheekbone.htm - 8k

Slapped (5 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 22:24 Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near, and struck Micaiah on
the cheek, and said, "Which way did the Spirit of Yahweh go from me to speak ...
/s/slapped.htm - 7k

Strikes (39 Occurrences)
... Strikes (39 Occurrences). Matthew 5:39 But I tell you, don't resist him who is evil;
but whoever strikes you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also. ...
/s/strikes.htm - 16k

Teeth (50 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. CHEEK TEETH. ... Save me, my God! For you have struck
all of my enemies on the cheek bone. You have broken the teeth of the wicked. ...
/t/teeth.htm - 25k

Kenaanah (5 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 22:24 Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near, and struck Micaiah on
the cheek, and said, "Which way did the Spirit of Yahweh go from me to speak ...
/k/kenaanah.htm - 7k

Jaw (6 Occurrences)
... jo, jo'-bon (lechi, "cheek (bone)," "jaw (bone)"): In Job 41:2, the Revised Version
(British and American) gives "pierce his jaw through with a hook" for the ...
/j/jaw.htm - 11k

Check (9 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 22:24 Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near, and smote Micaiah on
the cheek, and said, Which way went the Spirit of Jehovah from me to speak ...
/c/check.htm - 11k

Chenaanah (5 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 22:24 Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near, and struck Micaiah on
the cheek, and said, "Which way did the Spirit of Yahweh go from me to speak ...
/c/chenaanah.htm - 9k

What did Jesus mean when He instructed us to turn the other cheek? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible mean by "an eye for an eye"? | GotQuestions.org

How can a Christian avoid being a doormat for other people? | GotQuestions.org

Cheek: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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