Bible Dictionaries
Gnashing of Teeth

Holman Bible Dictionary

Grating one's teeth together. In the Old Testament, gnashing of teeth was an expression of anger reserved for the wicked and for one's enemies (Job 16:9; Psalm 35:16; Psalm 37:12; Lamentations 2:16 ). In the New Testament, gnashing of teeth is associated with the place of future punishment (for example, Matthew 8:12; Matthew 13:42 ,Matthew 13:42,13:50 ). There the gnashing of teeth is perhaps an expression of the futility of the wicked before God's judgment or else a demonstration of their continuing refusal to repent and acknowledge the justness of God's judgment. (Compare Revelation 16:9 , Revelation 16:11 .) See Hell; Punishment, Everlasting.