UBS Dictionary of the Greek New Testament

Sense 1: grinding of teeth, gnashing of teeth

Semantic entry: 23.41

Semantic domains: Physiological Processes and States

Subdomains: Processes Involving the Mouth, Other Than Eating and Drinking

Definition: the grinding or the gnashing of the teeth, whether involuntary as in the case of certain illnesses, or as an expression of an emotion such as anger or of pain and suffering

Notes: Though it is possible to interpret βρυγμὸς τῶν ὀδόντων as an idiom denoting suffering, it is probably better to understand this in a some what more literal sense (especially in view of biblical views current at that time concerning the next world). It may be important, however, to suggest the significance of this symbolic action, namely, ‘gnashing their teeth in suffering’ or ‘to of suffer so much as to gnash the teeth.’ As in the case of OET ACT 7:54, it is important to avoid an expression for ‘gnashing the teeth’ which will suggest ‘gritting the teeth’ in the sense of determination or courageous resistance.

Collocations: βρυγμὸς τῶν ὀδόντων