Lexical Summary trizó: To gnash, grind Original Word: τρίζω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance gnash. Apparently a primary verb; to creak (squeak), i.e. (by analogy) to grate the teeth (in frenzy) -- gnash. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom a root trig- Definition to cry, chirp, to grind the teeth NASB Translation grinds (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5149: τρίζωτρίζω; to squeak, make a shrill cry (Homer, Herodotus, Aristotle, Plutarch, Lucian, others): transitive, τούς δωντας, to grind or gnash the teeth, Mark 9:18; κατά τίνος, Ev. Nicod. c. 5. Topical Lexicon Root meaning and range of sense The verb translated “gnashes” in Mark 9:18 carries the idea of a harsh grinding or grating noise. Classical writers used it for the shriek of metal, the rasp of a saw, or the grinding of teeth in pain or rage. In Scripture, the imagery always communicates intense inner turmoil—physical agony, uncontrolled fury, or profound anguish. Biblical occurrence Mark 9:18 provides the sole New Testament instance: “Whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid.” (Berean Standard Bible). The vivid description highlights three features of demonic assault on the boy: violent convulsions, loss of bodily control, and the audible grinding of teeth. The evangelist’s deliberate use of a rarely employed verb underscores the graphic reality of the boy’s suffering and the depth of the spirit’s cruelty. Connection with ancient medical and cultural understandings First-century observers recognized epileptic symptoms, yet Mark attributes this seizure not to natural disease alone but to an unclean spirit. Medical writers of the era spoke of involuntary jaw clenching in severe maladies; Mark’s terminology matches that clinical observation but adds a spiritual dimension. By portraying the boy’s jaw grinding as a sign of demonic oppression, the Gospel challenges purely naturalistic explanations and affirms the biblical worldview in which physical, psychological, and spiritual realms intersect. Theological insights 1. Demonstration of Christ’s supremacy. The same narrative culminates in Jesus rebuking the spirit, restoring the child, and teaching that victory comes “by prayer” (Mark 9:29). The single occurrence of this verb is thus framed by Christ’s sovereign authority, revealing that no force, however violent, can withstand Him. Related biblical imagery • Old Testament laments—Job 16:9; Psalm 35:16; Lamentations 2:16—portray adversaries who “gnash their teeth” in hostility. Pastoral and practical implications 1. Deliverance ministry. The account encourages believers to rely on the authority of Jesus Christ, exercised through prayer, in confronting demonic influence. Historical significance in Christian proclamation Early church fathers cited Mark 9 to illustrate Christ’s power over demonic forces. In preaching, reformers such as John Calvin used the passage to emphasize human inability apart from divine aid, pointing to the disciples’ failure and the necessity of prayerful dependence. Modern missionaries continue to draw on this text when confronting syncretistic or occult contexts, finding in the grinding of teeth a graphic token of demonic bondage that yields to Jesus’ name. Conclusion Though occurring only once, Strong’s Greek 5149 enriches the Gospel narrative by painting an unforgettable portrait of suffering relieved by the Savior. It bridges medical observation, spiritual reality, and eschatological warning, ultimately exalting the One who silences every screech of evil and grants peace to all who trust Him. Forms and Transliterations τριζει τρίζει τριημερίαν τριμεριείς trizei trízeiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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