Jaw-teeth
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In biblical literature, the term "jaw-teeth" refers to the teeth located in the jaw, often emphasizing their strength and function in the context of consuming food or as a metaphor for power and destruction. The term is used in various passages to convey different symbolic meanings, often related to strength, ferocity, or divine judgment.

Scriptural References:

1. Joel 1:6 : "For a nation has invaded My land, powerful and without number; its teeth are the teeth of a lion, and it has the fangs of a lioness." In this passage, the "teeth of a lion" metaphorically describe the invading nation's destructive power. The imagery of jaw-teeth here emphasizes the ferocity and strength of the invaders, likening them to a lion's ability to tear and destroy.

2. Proverbs 30:14 : "There is a generation whose teeth are swords and whose jaws are knives, devouring the oppressed from the earth and the needy from among men." This verse uses the imagery of sharp teeth and jaws to describe a generation characterized by cruelty and oppression. The metaphor of jaw-teeth as swords and knives highlights the destructive and harmful nature of their actions.

3. Job 29:17 : "I shattered the fangs of the unjust and snatched the prey from his teeth." Here, Job speaks of his past actions in defending the oppressed. The "fangs of the unjust" symbolize the power and aggression of those who exploit others. By breaking their jaw-teeth, Job metaphorically describes his efforts to dismantle their ability to harm and to rescue those who are victimized.

Symbolic Meaning:

In biblical symbolism, jaw-teeth often represent strength, power, and the capacity to inflict harm or destruction. They are frequently used in metaphors to describe the might of nations, the cruelty of certain groups, or the divine intervention against the wicked. The imagery of jaw-teeth serves to convey the idea of consuming or devouring, whether it be in a literal sense, as with food, or in a figurative sense, as with the oppression of the vulnerable.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, lions were often seen as symbols of power and royalty. The comparison of jaw-teeth to those of a lion in biblical texts would have resonated with contemporary audiences, who understood the lion's role as a formidable predator. This cultural understanding enhances the metaphorical use of jaw-teeth in scripture, underscoring the themes of strength and dominance.

Theological Implications:

From a theological perspective, the use of jaw-teeth imagery in the Bible can be seen as a reflection of God's sovereignty and justice. When used to describe divine judgment, the metaphor underscores the idea that God has the ultimate power to break the strength of the wicked and deliver the oppressed. It serves as a reminder of the moral order established by God, where the powerful are held accountable for their actions against the vulnerable.

In summary, the concept of jaw-teeth in the Bible is rich with metaphorical significance, illustrating themes of power, destruction, and divine justice. Through vivid imagery, the scriptures convey profound truths about human nature, societal dynamics, and the overarching moral order governed by God.
Strong's Hebrew
4973. methalleoth -- teeth
... Word Origin from the same as tola Definition teeth NASB Word Usage fangs
(2), jaw teeth (1), jaws (1). cheek jaw tooth, jaw. Contr. ...
/hebrew/4973.htm - 6k
Library

Joel's Rhapsody of the Locust Plague
... For a nation is come up upon my land, Strong, and without number; His teeth are
the teeth of a lion, And he hath the jaw teeth of a great lion. ...
/.../select masterpieces of biblical literature/joels rhapsody of the locust.htm

The Simple Nature of the Soul is Asserted with Plato. The Identity ...
... show me their pupils. Moths also gnaw and eat: demonstrate to me their
mandibles, reveal their jaw-teeth. Then, again, gnats hum ...
/.../tertullian/a treatise on the soul/chapter x the simple nature of.htm

Change not Always Improvement.
... The yawning mouth stuffed with hair, the jaw-teeth overshadowed amid the forelocks,
the whole outraged visage, would have roared had it been able. ...
/.../tertullian/on the pallium/chapter iv change not always improvement.htm

The Only Atoning Priest
... has been satisfied. Sin being put away by Christ's death, he has effectually
broken the jawteeth of all his enemies. When Jesus ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 18 1872/the only atoning priest.htm

Full Redemption
... fiend; I think I see thee now, with thy head all broken, and thy jaw-teeth smashed,
and thy venom-bags all emptied, and thou thyself a weary length of agony ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/full redemption.htm

Thesaurus
Jaw-teeth (4 Occurrences)
Jaw-teeth. Jaws, Jaw-teeth. Jazer . Multi-Version Concordance
Jaw-teeth (4 Occurrences). Job 29:17 And I break the jaw...
/j/jaw-teeth.htm - 7k

Teeth (50 Occurrences)
... (methalle`ah, transposed from malta`ah (only in Psalm 58:6), literally "the biter,"
"crusher," "molar," "jaw-teeth," "great teeth" (Job ... JAW; JAWBONE; JAWTEETH. ...
/t/teeth.htm - 25k

Jaw (6 Occurrences)
... 10. (vi) To scold; to clamor. 11. (vt) To assail or abuse by scolding.
Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. JAW; JAWBONE; JAWTEETH. ...
/j/jaw.htm - 11k

Jawbone (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. (n.) The bone of either jaw; a maxilla or a mandible.
Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. JAW; JAWBONE; JAWTEETH. ...
/j/jawbone.htm - 10k

Jaws (12 Occurrences)

/j/jaws.htm - 10k

Jazer (13 Occurrences)

/j/jazer.htm - 13k

Cheek (9 Occurrences)
... 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 ...
/c/cheek.htm - 12k

Perverse (55 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Job 29:17 And I break the jaw-teeth of the perverse, And from his teeth I
cast away prey. (YLT). Job 31:3 Is not calamity to the perverse? ...
/p/perverse.htm - 22k

Lions (50 Occurrences)
... Joel 1:6 For a nation hath come up on my land, Strong, and there is no number, Its
teeth 'are' the teeth of a lion, And it hath the jaw-teeth of a lioness. ...
/l/lions.htm - 26k

Resources
What does the Bible mean when it refers to the gnashing of teeth? | GotQuestions.org

What is the meaning of the symbolism in Amos, e.g., sledges with iron teeth (Amos 1:3), murdered pregnant women (Amos 1:13), burning bones (Amos 2:1), destroyed roots (Amos 2:9), and hooks (Amos 4:2)? | GotQuestions.org

What is the outer darkness in Matthew 22:13? | GotQuestions.org

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Jaw-teeth (4 Occurrences)

Job 29:17
And I break the jaw-teeth of the perverse, And from his teeth I cast away prey.
(YLT)

Psalms 58:6
O God, break their teeth in their mouth, The jaw-teeth of young lions break down, O Jehovah.
(YLT)

Proverbs 30:14
a generation whose teeth are swords, and their jaw-teeth knives, to devour the afflicted from off the earth, and the needy from among men.
(DBY WBS YLT)

Joel 1:6
For a nation is come up upon my land, strong, and without number; his teeth are the teeth of a lion, and he hath the jaw-teeth of a lioness.
(ASV JPS YLT)

Subtopics

Jaw-teeth

Related Terms

Teeth (50 Occurrences)

Jaw (6 Occurrences)

Jawbone (3 Occurrences)

Jaws (12 Occurrences)

Jazer (13 Occurrences)

Cheek (9 Occurrences)

Perverse (55 Occurrences)

Lions (50 Occurrences)

Locust (25 Occurrences)

Consume (136 Occurrences)

Jaws
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