Teeth are mentioned in the Bible, often in symbolic ways, such as in expressions of weeping and gnashing of teeth. While the Bible doesn’t focus on dental health, it uses teeth to represent aspects of judgment, strength, and anguish. Let’s explore the biblical references to teeth and what they symbolize in scripture.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About Letting Someone Go
What Does The Bible Say About Teeth
Job 29:17
“I broke the fangs of the wicked and snatched the victims from their teeth.”
This verse speaks of the power of God in protecting the innocent from the harm intended by the wicked. It demonstrates God’s ability to render the teeth of the wicked useless, thus preventing them from causing harm.
Additionally, this verse can serve as a reminder that God is our protector, and he is capable of thwarting the plans of those who seek to harm us.
Proverbs 10:31
“The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be cut out.”
Here, the emphasis is on the power of speech. The mouth of the righteous is associated with wisdom, highlighting the positive impact and influence that words can have.
In contrast, a perverse tongue, or one that speaks deceitfully or dishonestly, will face consequences. In the context of the verse, the imagery of having their tongue cut out serves as a metaphorical punishment for the wicked’s harmful and untruthful words.
Proverbs 12:18
“The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”
This verse emphasizes the power of words to either harm or heal. Reckless and thoughtless words can pierce and wound others, while the words of the wise have the potential to bring healing and encouragement.
It reminds us of the importance of using our words wisely, choosing to uplift and edify others rather than causing harm through our speech.
Proverbs 16:24
“Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”
This verse highlights the impact of kind, gracious, and uplifting words on both the recipient and the speaker. Just as honey is sweet and pleasurable, gracious words have the power to bring sweetness and healing to the soul.
It encourages us to choose our words carefully, using them to inspire and comfort others, thus bringing healing and joy to our relationships.
Matthew 5:29
“If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.”
This verse uses vivid imagery to emphasize the seriousness of avoiding temptation and sin. It urges believers to take drastic measures, symbolized by the act of gouging out one’s eye, to eliminate anything that leads to moral or spiritual stumbling.
While it does not literally mean self-mutilation, this verse underscores the necessity of prioritizing our spiritual well-being over worldly desires and pleasures.
Matthew 6:19-20
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.”
This passage challenges believers’ priorities and urges them to focus on eternal treasures rather than temporal ones. It serves as a reminder that earthly possessions are temporary and vulnerable to destruction and theft.
Instead, the emphasis is on investing in eternal things such as righteousness, love, and selflessness, which hold everlasting value in the eyes of God.
Matthew 12:34
“You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”
In this verse, Jesus confronts the Pharisees’ hypocrisy. He challenges their ability to speak good things while their hearts remain filled with evil.
It emphasizes the importance of inner transformation, as the words we speak are a reflection of our hearts’ condition. It calls for integrity and authenticity, urging believers to align their hearts with goodness and truth.
Proverbs 25:15
“Through patience, a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.”
This verse emphasizes the power of patience and gentle speech in resolving conflicts and persuading others. It suggests that a ruler, or any person in a position of authority, can be positively influenced through patient and respectful communication.
It encourages believers to exercise patience and use their words wisely, recognizing their potential to bring about positive change even in challenging situations.
Proverbs 15:4
“The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.”
This verse highlights the contrasting effects of words on the human spirit. A soothing tongue, which speaks words of comfort, kindness, and encouragement, is compared to a tree of life, symbolizing vitality and nourishment.
On the other hand, a perverse tongue, or one that speaks deceitful, hurtful, or malicious words, has the power to crush and diminish the spirit of those who hear them.
Proverbs 21:23
“Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of self-control and restraint when it comes to our words. It suggests that those who are cautious and intentional in speaking, guarding their mouths and tongues, can avoid unnecessary troubles and misfortunes.
It serves as a reminder of the potential consequences of reckless speech and encourages believers to exercise wisdom and discernment in their communication.
James 1:19-20
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.”
This passage emphasizes the importance of active listening, measured speech, and controlled anger. It encourages believers to be attentive listeners, slow to respond hastily, and cautious when it comes to anger.
By doing so, they can promote healthy relationships, foster understanding, and exhibit the righteousness that aligns with God’s desires.
Proverbs 13:3
“Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.”
This verse highlights the significance of self-control in our speech. It suggests that those who exercise restraint in their words can protect themselves from unnecessary harm and negative consequences.
Conversely, those who speak impulsively and recklessly face the risk of ruin, as their words can lead to irreparable damage to relationships and reputations.
James 3:5
“Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.”
This verse draws attention to the powerful impact of the tongue despite its small physical size. It uses the imagery of a small spark causing a massive forest fire to illustrate the potential destructive force of our words if not carefully controlled.
It serves as a reminder to weigh our words carefully and recognize the influence they can have on others, acknowledging the need for wisdom and discernment in our speech.
Proverbs 17:28
“Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.”
This verse emphasizes the value of silence and restraint in speech. It suggests that even those who lack wisdom can be perceived as wise if they choose to remain silent rather than speaking foolishly.
It highlights the importance of thinking before speaking, recognizing that sometimes silence can be a more effective response than hasty or ill-considered words.
Ephesians 4:29
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
This verse guides believers in their speech, urging them to avoid any form of harmful or corrupt communication. Instead, they are encouraged to speak words that are beneficial and constructive, serving to build up and encourage others.
It emphasizes the importance of using our words to uplift and meet the needs of those around us, fostering an environment of positivity and growth.
Proverbs 18:21
“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”
This powerful verse highlights the immense influence we have through our words. It illustrates that our tongue, or our speech, can either bring life and vitality or cause destruction and harm.
It serves as a reminder of the weight and responsibility we carry in choosing our words, urging believers to use their speech to speak life and bring forth blessings rather than curses.
Matthew 15:11
“What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.”
In this verse, Jesus challenges the traditional understanding of ritual purity. He emphasizes that it is not what goes into a person’s mouth that defiles them but rather the words that come out of their mouth.
It highlights the importance of guarding our speech, recognizing that our words have the power to reveal the true condition of our hearts and can defile us if they are sinful or harmful.
Proverbs 10:32
“The lips of the righteous know what finds favor, but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse.”
This verse contrasts the speech of the righteous and the wicked. The lips of the righteous are portrayed as knowing what pleases others, demonstrating wisdom and discernment in their words.
In contrast, the mouth of the wicked is characterized by perversity, speaking things that are corrupt and morally twisted. It serves as a reminder of the importance of righteousness in our communication.
Proverbs 4:24
“Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of guarding our speech and refraining from using language that is perverse or corrupt. It calls believers to exercise discernment and choose their words carefully, ensuring they honor God and promote righteousness.
It serves as a reminder to avoid engaging in gossip, deceit, or any form of communication that is contrary to the principles of love, truth, and holiness.
Psalm 141:3
“Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.”
In this verse, the psalmist expresses a prayerful desire for God’s help in controlling their speech. They acknowledge their need for divine guidance and protection, recognizing the potential harm that can come from reckless or harmful words.
It serves as a humble plea for God’s intervention and a reminder of our dependence on His wisdom and grace to govern our speech.
Colossians 3:8
“But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.”
In this verse, believers are called to actively remove ungodly speech and behavior from their lives. It lists specific negative traits, such as anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language, highlighting the need for transformation in our words.
It urges believers to embrace speech that reflects God’s character, demonstrating love, kindness, and purity in their communication.
1 Peter 3:10
“For, whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech.”
This verse offers practical wisdom for those seeking a fulfilling and virtuous life. It encourages believers to refrain from using their tongues for evil purposes and to avoid deceitful and dishonest speech.
By doing so, they can foster healthy relationships and promote a life characterized by righteousness, peace, and joy.
Proverbs 16:23
“The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent, and their lips promote instruction.”
This verse draws a connection between wisdom and prudent speech. It suggests that those who possess a wise and discerning heart will naturally exhibit prudence and thoughtfulness in their words.
Furthermore, it highlights the potential of wise individuals to provide instruction and guidance through their communication, fostering learning and growth in others.