Greek word · G1030

βρυγμός

brygmos

gnashing

Κλαυθμός (G2805) is loud weeping or wailing, like mourning for the dead. Βρυγμός (G1030) is grinding, gnashing or snarling of teeth. In Prov 19:12 the noun is used of a lion's snarl, and in Sirach 51:3 of enemies' gnashing.

Appears 7 times in 7 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

βρυγμός, -οῦ, ὁ

(βρύχω), [in LXX: Proverbs 19:12 (נַהַם), Sirach 51:3 * ;]

a biting, a gnashing of teeth: Matthew 8:12 13:42, 50 22:13 24:51 25:30, Luke 13:28.†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Matthew 8:12

Range of meaning

Κλαυθμός (G2805) is loud weeping or wailing, like mourning for the dead. Βρυγμός (G1030) is grinding, gnashing or snarling of teeth. In the Greek Old Testament the related verb βρύχω, "to gnash", nearly always describes rage or hostility: enemies gnashing at the righteous (Ps 35:16; 37:12; Job 16:9; Lam 2:16), and the wicked gnashing their teeth in fury when they see the righteous vindicated (Ps 112:10). In Prov 19:12 the noun is used of a lion's snarl, and in Sirach 51:3 of enemies' gnashing.

Against the English

Every major English version says "weeping and gnashing of teeth". That is accurate, but "gnashing" is now an archaic word, and many readers take it as clenching the teeth in physical pain. YLT keeps the Greek articles: "the weeping and the gnashing of the teeth".

How it drifted

Because the formula is linked to hell, readers have come to hear it as the body's reaction to torment. The biblical background points first to grief (weeping) together with furious, frustrated resentment (gnashing).

Used elsewhere in the period

In the New Testament the formula appears six times in Matthew (8:12; 13:42, 50; 22:13; 24:51; 25:30) and once in Luke (13:28). In Luke the context makes the cause clear: "when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob... in the kingdom of God, but yourselves thrown out". In Acts 7:54 the council "gnashed their teeth" at Stephen in rage.

From the study of Luke 13:28

Range of meaning

Grinding, gnashing or chattering of the teeth. Its related verb βρύχω means to grind the teeth, and also to growl or roar like a beast. In Jewish Greek it most often expresses rage or hostility (gnashing at someone) and bitter, helpless vexation. It can also accompany pain or regret.

Against the English

Every major English version keeps 'gnashing of teeth', which is accurate. The problem is what readers imagine. Many picture involuntary grinding from physical agony or burning. The biblical idiom points first to clenched fury and frustration, especially at seeing others succeed.

How it drifted

In popular preaching the phrase has become shorthand for the torments of hell. Matthew pairs it with 'the furnace of fire' (Matt 13:42, 50), and that reinforces the link. Luke's single use of the phrase has no fire at all.

Used elsewhere in the period

LXX Psalm 111:10 (Heb. 112:10): 'The sinner will see and be angry; he will gnash his teeth and melt away.' This is the closest parallel: the wicked look on at the blessing of the righteous and gnash their teeth. Ps 35:16; 37:12; Lam 2:16; Job 16:9: enemies gnash their teeth at the righteous in hostility. Sirach 51:3: 'from the gnashing (βρυγμός) of those about to devour me.' LXX Prov 19:12: a king's threat is like the βρυγμός (growl) of a lion. Acts 7:54: the council 'gnashed their teeth at' Stephen in fury. In the NT the formula 'the weeping and the gnashing of teeth' appears six times in Matthew and only here in Luke.

From the study of Matthew 13:42

Range of meaning

Grinding, gnashing or chattering of teeth. The related verb brychō means to grind the teeth. The gesture can express rage and hostility, bitter frustration, or (outside the Bible, and less often) shivering or pain.

Against the English

All major English versions say 'gnashing of teeth.' Today the phrase is old-fashioned and is usually heard as 'writhing in pain.' Its main biblical sense is fury and frustrated hostility.

How it drifted

'Gnash' fell out of everyday English, so the phrase survives mostly in this saying. Readers fill it in with the general idea of agony, while the Old Testament background points to anger.

Used elsewhere in the period

LXX Psalm 34(35):16 'they gnashed their teeth at me'; Psalm 36(37):12 'the wicked plots against the righteous and gnashes his teeth at him'; Psalm 111(112):10 'the wicked will see it and be angry; he will gnash his teeth and melt away'; Job 16:9; Lamentations 2:16. In the New Testament: Acts 7:54, Stephen's hearers 'ground their teeth at him' in rage. Matthew uses the full formula six times (8:12; 13:42, 50; 22:13; 24:51; 25:30); Luke uses it once (13:28).

Where it appears

Matthew · 6

  1. Matthew 8:12 βρυγμὸς gnashing

    But the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

    Here: Grinding or snarling of the teeth. In the Greek Old Testament it is mainly a sign of rage and hostile frustration. Next to "weeping" it pictures grief mixed with bitter fury.

  2. Matthew 13:42 βρυγμὸς gnashing

    And they will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

    Here: Grinding or clenching the teeth. In Israel's scriptures this is mostly the snarl of fury and hostility (Psalms 35:16; 37:12; 112:10). So it adds rage and bitter frustration to the grief.

  3. Matthew 13:50 βρυγμὸς gnashing

    and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

    Here: Grinding or clenching the teeth. In biblical use this is mainly a sign of rage, hostility and bitter frustration, not of physical pain. Paired with wailing, it pictures grief mixed with furious, helpless resentment.

  4. Matthew 22:13 βρυγμὸς gnashing

    Then the king told the servants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

    Here: Grinding the teeth. In the Greek Old Testament and in Acts 7:54 this is a sign of fury and bitter frustration, not mainly of pain.

  5. Matthew 24:51 βρυγμὸς gnashing

    Then he will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

    Here: The grinding or clenching of teeth. In the Old Testament this is mainly a sign of rage, hostility and bitter frustration, and here it sits beside the grief of 'weeping'.

  6. Matthew 25:30 βρυγμὸς gnashing

    And throw that worthless servant into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

    Here: Grinding or clenching the teeth. In the Bible this is mostly a sign of rage and bitter frustration, and it may also include anguish. Here it is the reaction of someone shut out.

Luke · 1

  1. Luke 13:28 βρυγμὸς gnashing

    There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves are thrown out.

    Here: Grinding or clenching the teeth. In biblical usage this is mainly a sign of rage, hostility and bitter frustration. Here it is set off by *seeing* others inside.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.