Topical Encyclopedia
The term "gnaw" refers to the act of biting or chewing persistently, often with the teeth. In the context of the Bible, "gnaw" is used both literally and metaphorically to convey various themes, including destruction, suffering, and the relentless nature of certain experiences or judgments.
Biblical References:1.
Literal Usage: · In the Book of Job, the term is used to describe the physical suffering and degradation experienced by Job. Job laments his condition, saying, "My skin and flesh cling to my bones; I have escaped by the skin of my teeth" (
Job 19:20). Here, the imagery of gnawing is implicit in the description of his emaciated state, suggesting a relentless consumption of his body by disease and suffering.
2.
Metaphorical Usage: · The concept of gnawing is also used metaphorically to describe the inner torment and anguish of the wicked. In the Book of Micah, the prophet speaks of the judgment upon those who oppress others, saying, "They will eat but not be satisfied; their stomachs will still be empty" (
Micah 6:14). This imagery suggests a gnawing hunger that is never satiated, symbolizing the insatiable greed and ultimate dissatisfaction of those who turn away from God's ways.
3.
Symbol of Judgment: · In the Book of Revelation, gnawing is depicted as part of the divine judgment upon the unrepentant. During the pouring out of the fifth bowl of God's wrath, it is said, "The people gnawed their tongues in agony and cursed the God of heaven for their pains and sores, yet they did not repent of their deeds" (
Revelation 16:10-11). This vivid imagery underscores the intense suffering and stubbornness of those who refuse to turn to God, even in the face of severe judgment.
Theological Implications:The use of "gnaw" in the Bible often conveys a sense of relentless and consuming force, whether it be physical, emotional, or spiritual. It serves as a powerful metaphor for the consequences of sin and the nature of divine judgment. The imagery of gnawing highlights the destructive power of sin and the futility of seeking fulfillment outside of God's provision and grace.
In a broader theological context, the concept of gnawing can be seen as a reminder of the temporal nature of earthly suffering and the hope of ultimate redemption and restoration through faith in Jesus Christ. The persistent nature of gnawing serves as a call to repentance and a return to the covenant relationship with God, who alone can satisfy the deepest longings of the human heart.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To bite, as something hard or tough, which is not readily separated or crushed; to bite off little by little, with effort; to wear or eat away by scraping or continuous biting with the teeth; to nibble at.
2. (v. t.) To bite in agony or rage.
3. (v. t.) To corrode; to fret away; to waste.
4. (v. i.) To use the teeth in biting; to bite with repeated effort, as in eating or removing with the teeth something hard, unwieldy, or unmanageable.
Greek
5176. trogo -- tognaw, munch, crunch... to
gnaw, munch, crunch. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: trogo Phonetic Spelling:
(tro'-go) Short Definition: I eat Definition: I eat, partake of a meal.
...3145. masaomai -- to chew
... to chew. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: masaomai Phonetic Spelling:
(mas-sah'-om-ahee) Short Definition: I bite,gnaw Definition: I bite,gnaw, chew....
1044. gaggraina -- a gangrene, an eating sore
... Word Origin perhaps from grao (tognaw) Definition a gangrene, an eating
sore NASB Word Usage gangrene (1). canker. From graino...
Strong's Hebrew
6207. araq -- tognaw... araq. 6208 . to
gnaw. Transliteration: araq Phonetic Spelling: (aw-rak') Short
Definition:
gnaw.
... root Definition to
gnaw NASB Word Usage
gnaw (1), gnawing (1).
...1633. garam -- to cut off, reserve
... 1632, 1633. garam. 1633a . to cut off, reserve. Transliteration: garam Phonetic
Spelling: (gaw-ram') Short Definition: bones.gnaw the bones, break...
1633b. garam -- to break bones, break
... Word Origin denominative verb from gerem Definition to break bones, break NASB Word
Usage crush (1),gnaw (1). 1633a, 1633b. garam. 1634 . Strong's Numbers
Library
As to Your Charge of Perjury, Since You Refer Me to Your Book; and...
... your manuscripts at Rome'? or that I might send out my dogs tognaw away
your papers before they were corrected'? Can any one believe...
Corn in Egypt
... He maygnaw the dry bones of his own good works; but if the Lord hath sent conviction
into his heart, he willgnaw them in vain; he may try to break the bones...
WT Vn to the Christen Reader.
... sprite & life. It hath [with] out a barke/ a shell and as it were an hard
bone for [the] fleshly mynded tognaw vppon. And within...
The Philosophers
... and in warning its mates that the prey is found or lost, it would indeed also speak
in regard to those things which affect it closer, as example, "Gnaw me this...
The Sixt Part.
... very Angell, who by his writing hath begunne to powre out the fift viall upon the
throne of the beast, darkned his Kingdome, caused them tognaw their tongues...
Motives to Holy Mourning
... The brinish water of repenting tears will help to kill that worm of sin which should
gnaw the conscience. Gospel-mourning is an evidence of grace....
Argument: He Briefly Shows, Moreover, what Ridiculous, Obscene...
... Mice, swallows, kites, know that they have no feeling: theygnaw them, they trample
on them, they sit upon them; and unless you drive them off, they build...
The Simple Nature of the Soul is Asserted with Plato. The Identity...
... show me their pupils. Moths alsognaw and eat: demonstrate to me their
mandibles, reveal their jaw-teeth. Then, again, gnats hum...
Phial the Fifth, on the Throne of the Beast.
... witnesses,) the name of the pontificate will not utterly perish, but will then be
despoiled of its glory and splendour, so that "they shallgnaw their tongues...
Song of Consolation for Married Christians.
... The streams of bliss flow constantly What bliss of angels is on high From hence
may we discover; No storm, No worm Can destroy it, Can e'ergnaw it, What God...
Thesaurus
Gnaw (4 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Gnaw (4 Occurrences). Job 30:3 They are gaunt from lack
and famine. They
gnaw the dry ground, in the gloom of waste and desolation.
...Bone (35 Occurrences)
... (Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Job 30:17 In the night season
my bones are pierced in me, and the pains thatgnaw me take no rest....
Gloom (29 Occurrences)
... (See NAS RSV). Job 30:3 They are gaunt from lack and famine. Theygnaw the dry
ground, in the gloom of waste and desolation. (WEB JPS ASV YLT)....
Gnats (5 Occurrences)
Gaunt (7 Occurrences)
... So I awoke. (See RSV). Job 30:3 They are gaunt from lack and famine. Theygnaw the
dry ground, in the gloom of waste and desolation. (WEB JPS ASV NAS)....
Gnawed (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) ofGnaw. Multi-Version Concordance
Gnawed (2 Occurrences). Revelation 16:10 The fifth poured...
Girdle (44 Occurrences)
... 8. (vt) To enclose; to environ; to shut in. 9. (vt) To make a cut orgnaw a groove
around (a tree, etc.) through the bark and alburnum, thus killing it. Int....
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 thatgnaw me take no rest. (See RSV)....
Wasteness (4 Occurrences)
... Wasteness (4 Occurrences). Job 30:3 They are gaunt with want and famine; Theygnaw
the dry ground, in the gloom of wasteness and desolation. (See JPS ASV)....
Worm (22 Occurrences)
... See Worm, n. 5 (b). 18. (n.) To cut the worm, or lytta, from under the tongue
of, as a dog, for the purpose of checking a disposition tognaw....
Resources
How can I learn to not take offense at little things? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the seven bowls/vials of Revelation? | GotQuestions.orgGnaw: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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