The term "gnash" is often associated with expressions of intense emotion, particularly anger, pain, or despair. In the biblical context, it is frequently used to describe the grinding or clenching of teeth, often as a reaction to extreme distress or divine judgment. The imagery of gnashing teeth is vivid and serves as a powerful metaphor for the anguish and torment experienced by those who are separated from God or who face His judgment.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, the act of gnashing teeth is depicted as a response to enmity and hostility. For instance, in Psalm 35:16, the psalmist laments the actions of his adversaries: "Like godless jesters at a feast, they gnashed their teeth at me." Here, gnashing is associated with the malice and scorn of the wicked against the righteous. Similarly, in Lamentations 2:16, the enemies of Jerusalem express their triumph and disdain: "All your enemies open their mouths against you; they hiss and gnash their teeth."

New Testament References

The New Testament expands on the theme of gnashing teeth, particularly in the context of eschatological judgment. Jesus frequently uses the phrase "weeping and gnashing of teeth" to describe the fate of the unrighteous in the afterlife. This expression is found in several parables and teachings, emphasizing the severe consequences of rejecting God's kingdom. In Matthew 8:12, Jesus warns, "But the sons of the kingdom will be cast into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." This imagery underscores the profound regret and suffering of those who are excluded from the blessings of God's presence.

In Matthew 13:42, Jesus describes the fate of the wicked at the end of the age: "And they will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." The repetition of this phrase in various contexts highlights the seriousness of divine judgment and the eternal separation from God that results from unbelief and disobedience.

Theological Implications

The concept of gnashing teeth in the Bible serves as a stark reminder of the reality of divine justice. It conveys the intense emotional and spiritual anguish experienced by those who are alienated from God. The imagery is not merely descriptive but serves as a warning to heed the call to repentance and faith. The gnashing of teeth symbolizes the ultimate consequence of rejecting God's grace and the profound sorrow that accompanies such a choice.

In the broader biblical narrative, gnashing teeth is contrasted with the peace and joy promised to the faithful. While the wicked experience torment and regret, the righteous are assured of eternal comfort and fellowship with God. This dichotomy reinforces the urgency of aligning one's life with God's will and embracing the salvation offered through Jesus Christ.Hebrews harak, meaning "to grate the teeth", (Job 16:9; Psalm 112:10; Lamentations 2:16), denotes rage or sorrow. (See also Acts 7:54; Mark 9:18.) 1. (v. t.) To strike or grind together in anger; as, to gnash the teeth.

2. (v. i.) To grind or strike the teeth together.

GNASH

nash (charaq; brugmos): "Gnash" is used of grinding or striking together the teeth in rage, pain or misery of disappointment. In the Old Testament it is the translation of charak, a mimetic word, and represents for the most part rage, anger, hatred (Job 16:9, "He gnasheth upon me with his teeth," the Revised Version (British and American) "hath gnashed upon me"; Psalm 35:16; Psalm 37:12; Psalm 112:10, grief; Lamentations 2:16, contempt or derision); brucho, "to gnash the teeth in rage," indicates anger, rage, Septuagint for charaq (Acts 7:54, of Stephen, "They gnashed on him with their teeth"). The several instances of brugmos, "gnashing," in the Gospels seem to express disappointment rather than anger (Matthew 8:12,"There shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth," the Revised Version (British and American) "the weeping and the gnashing of teeth"; Matthew 13:42, 50; Matthew 22:13; Matthew 24:51; Matthew 25:30 Luke 13:28 -a vivid representation of the misery of disappointed expectations; compare Ecclesiasticus 30:10, "lest thou shalt gnash thy teeth in the end," gomphiazo, "to have the teeth set on edge"); trizo (Mark 9:18), which means "to give out a creaking, grating sound," "to screak," is used in the New Testament (in the above instance only) to mean "to grate or gnash with the teeth," indicating the effect of a paroxysm, the Revised Version (British and American) "grindeth his teeth."

W. L. Walker

1031. brucho -- to bite, to gnash
... to bite, to gnash. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: brucho Phonetic Spelling:
(broo'-kho) Short Definition: I grind or gnash Definition: I grind or gnash ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1031.htm - 6k

5149. trizo -- to cry, chirp, to grind the teeth
... to cry, chirp, to grind the teeth. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: trizo Phonetic
Spelling: (trid'-zo) Short Definition: I grate, gnash Definition: I grate ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5149.htm - 6k

2786. charaq -- to gnash or grind
... 2785, 2786. charaq. 2787 . to gnash or grind. Transliteration: charaq Phonetic
Spelling: (khaw-rak') Short Definition: gnash. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/2786.htm - 5k

The Warning Neglected
... doctrine, and possibly they may retire greatly delighted with the discourse, because
it has not affected them; but how often will our audience gnash their teeth ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the warning neglected.htm

Revelation of John.
... [2584] And then the worker of iniquity with his servants shall behold it, and gnash
his teeth exceedingly, and all the unclean spirits shall be turned to flight ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/revelation of john/revelation of john.htm

Shame
... men,"men who would face death in battle, men who would have a limb cut off without
a groan, you may see such, in spite of all their courage, gnash their teeth ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/sermons for the times/sermon xviii shame.htm

But I Pass from These Remarks, for I Know and I am Going to Show.. ...
... Gnash your teeth upon us"foam with maddened rage against us"ye are the persons,
no doubt, who censured a certain Seneca speaking of your superstition at ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/apology/chapter xii but i pass.htm

Christ the Believer's Husband
... troubled widow-state, and give your enemies no more occasion to insult you, on account
of your infant-condition, but rather to envy you, and gnash their teeth ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/christ the believers husband.htm

"It is the King's Chapel. " Amos vii. 13
... They pay well! As sure as there is a God in heaven, shall these, who make money
out of the sin of others, gnash their teeth in endless torment. Amos! ...
//christianbookshelf.org/champness/broken bread/xiii it is the kings.htm

The 112Th Psalm of David.
... But the foes who triumph'do'er them, They shall see depart beneath; Satan who such
malice bore them, Evermore shall gnash his teeth: Sorely will it him ...
/.../gerhardt/paul gerhardts spiritual songs/the 112th psalm of david.htm

And one Nicodemus, a Jew, Stood Before the Procurator...
... Pilate says to them: Why do you gnash your teeth against him when you hear the truth?
The Jews say to Nicodemus: Mayst thou receive his truth and his portion. ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of nicodemus /chapter 5 and one nicodemus.htm

Of Poverty
... Then they swell with envy; they gnash with malice; they set themselves before all
others; they praise their state, all others they either dispraise or condemn. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/chapter iii of poverty.htm

But one Nicodemus, a Jew, Stood Before the Governor...
... teeth against Nicodemus. Pilate says to them: Why do you gnash with your
teeth against him, when you are hearing the truth? The Jews ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of nicodemus /chapter 5 but one nicodemus.htm

Gnash (12 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (vt) To strike or grind together in anger; as,
to gnash the teeth. ... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. GNASH. ...
/g/gnash.htm - 12k

Gnashing (10 Occurrences)
... & vb. n.) of Gnash. Multi-Version Concordance ... Acts 7:54 And hearing these things,
they were cut to the hearts, and did gnash the teeth at him; (See NAS). ...
/g/gnashing.htm - 9k

Teeth (50 Occurrences)
... Psalms 112:10 The wicked will see it, and be grieved. He shall gnash with his
teeth, and melt away. The desire of the wicked will perish. ...
/t/teeth.htm - 25k

Longings (1 Occurrence)
... Psalms 112:10 The wicked will see it, and be grieved. He shall gnash with his teeth,
and melt away. The desire of the wicked will perish. (See NIV). ...
/l/longings.htm - 6k

Gnashes (4 Occurrences)
... (WEB NAS RSV). Psalms 112:10 The wicked shall see it, and be vexed; he shall gnash
with his teeth, and melt away; the desire of the wicked shall perish. ...
/g/gnashes.htm - 7k

Gluttony (2 Occurrences)

/g/gluttony.htm - 7k

Gnashed (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Gnash. Multi-Version Concordance
Gnashed (3 Occurrences). Acts 7:54 Now when they heard ...
/g/gnashed.htm - 7k

Forsooth (2 Occurrences)
... Lamentations 2:16 All thine enemies open their mouth against thee, they hiss and
gnash the teeth: they say, We have swallowed her up; this is forsooth the day ...
/f/forsooth.htm - 7k

Rail (8 Occurrences)
... Lamentations 2:16 All your enemies have opened their mouth wide against you; They
hiss and gnash the teeth; they say, We have swallowed her up; Certainly this ...
/r/rail.htm - 11k

Melts (11 Occurrences)
... (WEB). Psalms 112:10 The wicked shall see it, and be vexed; he shall gnash with
his teeth, and melt away; the desire of the wicked shall perish. (See RSV). ...
/m/melts.htm - 9k

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