In the context of the Bible, the term "jaws" is often used metaphorically to describe power, control, or the act of seizing and holding. The imagery of jaws is employed in various passages to convey the strength and ferocity of animals, nations, or even divine intervention. The following are notable instances where "jaws" appear in the Scriptures:

1. Divine Deliverance and Judgment: The imagery of jaws is used to depict God's power to deliver His people and execute judgment on their enemies. In Hosea 11:4, God speaks of His tender care for Israel, saying, "I led them with cords of kindness, with ropes of love; I lifted the yoke from their necks and bent down to feed them." Here, the removal of the yoke from the neck implies liberation from the jaws of oppression.

2. Symbol of Destruction: The jaws of animals are often used to symbolize destruction and danger. In Job 29:17, Job speaks of his past righteousness, saying, "I shattered the fangs of the unrighteous and snatched the prey from his teeth." This metaphor highlights the act of delivering the oppressed from the destructive power of the wicked.

3. Metaphor for Enemies: The jaws of beasts are sometimes used to represent the threat posed by enemies. In Psalm 22:21, David cries out for deliverance, "Save me from the mouth of the lion; at the horns of the wild oxen You have answered me!" The lion's mouth symbolizes the imminent danger from which David seeks rescue.

4. Divine Control Over Nations: The imagery of jaws is also used to describe God's sovereignty over nations. In Ezekiel 29:4, God declares His judgment against Pharaoh and Egypt: "But I will put hooks in your jaws and make the fish of your streams cling to your scales. I will pull you up from the midst of your streams, with all the fish clinging to your scales." This vivid picture illustrates God's ability to control and direct the actions of nations according to His will.

5. Prophetic Imagery: In prophetic literature, jaws are sometimes used to convey the idea of being caught or ensnared. In Ezekiel 38:4, God speaks to Gog, saying, "I will turn you around, put hooks in your jaws, and bring you out with your whole army—your horses, your horsemen in full armor, and a great horde with large and small shields, all brandishing their swords." This passage emphasizes God's control over the forces of evil, drawing them into His divine plan.

The use of "jaws" in the Bible serves as a powerful metaphor for strength, control, and the dynamics of deliverance and judgment. Through these vivid images, the Scriptures communicate the reality of God's sovereignty and the ultimate triumph of His purposes over the forces of chaos and destruction.4455. malqowach -- booty, prey
... booty, jaws, prey From laqach; transitively (in dual) the jaws (as taking food);
intransitively, spoil (and captives) (as taken) -- booty, jaws, prey. ...
/hebrew/4455.htm - 5k

4455b. malqoach -- a jaw
... malqoach. 4456 . a jaw. Transliteration: malqoach Short Definition: jaws. Word
Origin from laqach Definition a jaw NASB Word Usage jaws (1). 4455a, 4455b. ...
/hebrew/4455b.htm - 5k

6310. peh -- mouth
... 45), commandment (6), counsel (1), dictated* (1), dictation (6), edge (37), edges
(2), end (2), evidence (4), face (4), hunger (1), intent (1), jaws (1), just ...
/hebrew/6310.htm - 7k

3027. yad -- hand
... hands (303), hands* (1), have* (1), help* (1), helpless* (1), herself (1), himself
(1), hold* (1), human agency (1), idle* (1), influence (1), jaws (1), labor ...
/hebrew/3027.htm - 8k

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

3895. lechi -- jaw, cheek
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition jaw, cheek NASB Word Usage cheek
(6), cheeks (4), jaw (1), jawbone (4), jaws (4), two cheeks (1). ...
/hebrew/3895.htm - 6k

That those who are Snatched from the Jaws of the Devil, and ...
... 7. That those who are snatched from the jaws of the devil, and delivered from the
snares of this world, ought not again to return to the world, lest they ...
/.../cyprian/the treatises of cyprian/7 that those who are.htm

Of the Most Holy Miracle of St Francis in Taming the Fierce Wolf ...
... The wolf, seeing all this multitude, ran towards St Francis with his jaws
wide open. As he approached, the saint, making the sign ...
/.../ugolino/the little flowers of st francis of assisi/chapter xxi of the most.htm

The Adventures of Saint Patrick of Ireland.
... Behind him stood a huge crocodile, opening wide its immense jaws, and
threatening to devour anyone who came within their compass. ...
/.../kingston/the seven champions of christendom/chapter nine the adventures of.htm

Bands of Love; Or, Union to Christ. "I Drew them with Cords of a ...
... "I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they
that take off the yoke on their jaws, and I laid meat unto them.""Hosea xi. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/till he come/bands of love or union.htm

The Converted Infidel
... Its jaws were distended, its forked tongue played around its open mouth, flashing
in the sunlight like a small lambent flame, while its eyes were intently ...
/.../touching incidents and remarkable answers to prayer/the converted infidel.htm

Psalm LXIX.
... it. 7. "I have laboured, crying, hoarse have become my jaws" (ver.3). Where
was this? When was this? Let us question the Gospel. ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxix.htm

Of Saint Francis
... Francis had made the sign of the cross, right so the terrible wolf shut his jaws
and stayed his running: and when he was bid, came gently as a lamb and lay him ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/of saint francis.htm

On the Study of Zoology.
... Behind these, on the under side of the body, are two pairs of long feelers, or antennae,
followed by six pairs of jaws, folded against one another over the ...
/.../huxley/lay sermons addresses and reviews/vi on the study of.htm

The Further Adventures of Saint George.
... What was his horror, on opening his eyes, to discover a huge head, with terrific
jaws, projecting from the seeming log before him, snapping at everything as it ...
/.../the seven champions of christendom/chapter four the further adventures.htm

Athanasius under Julian and his Successors; Fourth and Fifth ...
... Jerome goes so far as to say that by its judicious conciliation it snatched
the whole world from the jaws of Satan' (Adv. Lucif.20). ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/section 9 athanasius under julian.htm

Jaws (12 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Jaws (12 Occurrences). ... (WEY). Job 29:17 I broke the
jaws of the unrighteous, and plucked the prey out of his teeth. ...
/j/jaws.htm - 10k

Jaw (6 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) Fig.: Anything resembling the jaw of an animal in form or action; esp.,
pl., the mouth or way of entrance; as, the jaws of a pass; the jaws of darkness ...
/j/jaw.htm - 11k

Jawbone (3 Occurrences)
... Psalm 22:15, "My tongue cleaveth to my jaws (malqoach)," is descriptive of the effect
of a fever or physical torture, a dryness and a horrible clamminess. ...
/j/jawbone.htm - 10k

Teeth (50 Occurrences)
... Psalm 22:15, "My tongue cleaveth to my jaws (malqoach)," is descriptive of the effect
of a fever or physical torture, a dryness and a horrible clamminess. ...
/t/teeth.htm - 25k

Bridle (12 Occurrences)
... Found in 2 Kings 19:28, where the restraints of God's providence are metaphorically
styled his "bridle" and "hook." God's placing a "bridle in the jaws of the ...
/b/bridle.htm - 15k

Bit (46 Occurrences)
... British and American) "the hippopotamus"), "Who can come to him his double bridle?"
the American Standard Revised Version "within his jaws?" the English ...
/b/bit.htm - 24k

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

Double (49 Occurrences)
... British and American) gives it its expanded and derived meaning, "manifold in
understanding," and "who shall come within his jaws," respectively, "manifold" in ...
/d/double.htm - 26k

Swords (50 Occurrences)
... Proverbs 30:14 There is a generation whose teeth are like swords, and their jaws
like knives, to devour the poor from the earth, and the needy from among men. ...
/s/swords.htm - 22k

Hooks (41 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 29:4 I will put hooks in your jaws, and I will make the fish of your rivers
stick to your scales; and I will bring you up out of the midst of your ...
/h/hooks.htm - 19k

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