The term "gnaws" in the Bible is often associated with imagery of destruction, suffering, and relentless torment. It is used to convey the idea of something being consumed or eroded persistently and painfully. This concept appears in various contexts throughout the Scriptures, illustrating both physical and spiritual realities.

1. Physical Suffering and Destruction: In the Old Testament, the act of gnawing is sometimes used to describe the physical suffering and destruction that comes upon the wicked or those under judgment. For example, in Job 30:17, Job laments his suffering, saying, "Night pierces my bones, and my gnawing pains never rest." Here, the gnawing pain symbolizes the relentless and consuming nature of his afflictions.

2. Spiritual Torment: The imagery of gnawing is also used to depict spiritual torment and the consequences of sin. In Isaiah 51:8, the prophet speaks of the temporary nature of the wicked's power, saying, "For the moth will eat them up like a garment, and the worm will devour them like wool." The gnawing worm represents the inevitable decay and judgment that awaits those who oppose God.

3. Symbol of Judgment: In the New Testament, gnawing is associated with the judgment and eternal suffering of the unrighteous. In Mark 9:48, Jesus describes hell as a place "where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched." The undying worm symbolizes the perpetual and unending nature of the torment experienced by those who reject God.

4. Metaphorical Use: The concept of gnawing can also be understood metaphorically to describe the inner turmoil and guilt that sin brings into a person's life. The persistent nature of gnawing reflects the way sin can consume and erode one's peace and joy, leading to spiritual decay.

5. Hope and Deliverance: Despite the negative connotations of gnawing, the Bible also offers hope and deliverance through faith in God. In the midst of suffering and judgment, believers are encouraged to trust in God's salvation and righteousness. As seen in Isaiah 51:6, "Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look at the earth beneath; for the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment, and its inhabitants will die in like manner; but My salvation will last forever, and My righteousness will never fail."

In summary, the imagery of gnawing in the Bible serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of sin and the reality of divine judgment, while also pointing to the hope and redemption available through faith in God.

He Careth for Thee.
... Why not let him? Care is a grace-destroyer. If you would be strong in the grace
of God, you must live free from care. It gnaws at the very vitals of the soul. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/how to live a holy life/he careth for thee.htm

On the Different Kinds of Voluntary Actions, and the Sins Thence ...
... Further, not even Ajax is silent; but, when about to kill himself, cries:".
"No pain gnaws the soul of a free man like dishonour. ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xv on the different kinds.htm

The Heathens Made Gods Like Themselves, Whence Springs all ...
... "And what wonder is it," says Bion, "if the mouse, finding nothing to eat, gnaws
the bag?" For it were wonderful if (as Arcesilaus argued in fun) "the bag had ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter iv the heathens made gods.htm

Mark 10:32-34: See Mark 8:31, P. 219. ]
... moments, can judge whether it demands more grace to refute a heretic, or to sustain
the long inglorious agonies of some disease which slowly gnaws away the ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 10 35-40 mark 10 32-34 see.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xix. 17, "If Thou Wouldest Enter ...
... of riches is pride. [2803] A consuming moth, which gnaws the whole, and
reduces it even to dust. "Charge them," therefore, "not ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xxxv on the words.htm

Hymn Before Meat
... Thou, O Christ, my Dove dost reign Where the vulture gnaws no more: Thou dost,
snow-white Lamb, enchain Tigers fierce, and wolves restrain Gaping at the ...
/.../prudentius/the hymns of prudentius/iii hymn before meat.htm

How the Silent and the Talkative are to be Admonished.
... guard against idle words we go on to hurtful ones; so that at first it pleases us
to talk of other men's affairs; afterwards the tongue gnaws with detraction ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter xiv how the silent.htm

To Gregory xi
... of hate, and dost stretch out the hand of holy desire, to draw forth and kill with
this hate the worm of self-love"a worm that spoils and gnaws the root of ...
/.../benincasa/letters of catherine benincasa/to gregory xi.htm

A Detached Account of the Descent into Hell.
... fill the mind with sensations of pain and grief; the marks of the wreath and vengeance
of God are visible everywhere; despair, like a vulture, gnaws every heart ...
/.../chapter lix a detached account.htm

Meekness and Rest
... is without doctoring up the impression. The fear of being found out gnaws
like rodents within their hearts. The man of culture is ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tozer/the pursuit of god/ix meekness and rest.htm

Gnaws (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Gnaws (1 Occurrence). Job 30:17 In the night season my
bones are pierced in me, and the pains that gnaw me take no rest. (See RSV). ...
/g/gnaws.htm - 6k

Gnawn (1 Occurrence)

/g/gnawn.htm - 6k

Worm (22 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) Same as Vermes. 7. (n.) An internal tormentor; something that gnaws or afflicts
one's mind with remorse. 8. (n.) A being debased and despised. ...
/w/worm.htm - 21k

Gnosticism

/g/gnosticism.htm - 38k

What is the worm that will not die in Mark 9:48? | GotQuestions.org

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