Gaped
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The term "gaped" is used in the Bible to describe an action of opening the mouth wide, often in a context of hostility, mockery, or astonishment. This expression is typically associated with enemies or adversaries who display their contempt or scorn towards an individual, often in a time of distress or suffering.

Biblical References:

1. Job 16:10 : "They open their mouths against me and strike my cheeks with scorn; they unite together against me." In this passage, Job laments the treatment he receives from his friends and others who have turned against him. The act of opening their mouths wide, or gaping, signifies their derision and the verbal attacks they launch against him during his time of affliction.

2. Psalm 22:13 : "They open their jaws against me like lions that roar and maul." This verse is part of a Messianic psalm that prophetically describes the suffering of Christ. The imagery of enemies gaping with their mouths like roaring lions conveys the intensity of their aggression and the overwhelming nature of the opposition faced by the psalmist, which Christians interpret as a foreshadowing of the crucifixion of Jesus.

3. Lamentations 2:16 : "All your enemies open their mouths against you; they hiss and gnash their teeth. They say, 'We have swallowed her up. Surely this is the day we have waited for; we have lived to see it.'" Here, the prophet Jeremiah describes the reaction of Jerusalem's enemies following its destruction. The gaping mouths symbolize their triumph and malicious joy over the city's downfall, reflecting the deep animosity they held.

Theological Significance:

In the biblical context, the act of gaping is more than a mere physical gesture; it is a manifestation of the heart's attitude. It often represents the culmination of enmity and the desire to see the downfall of another. This expression of hostility is not only directed towards individuals like Job or the psalmist but also towards God’s chosen people, as seen in Lamentations.

From a theological perspective, these instances of gaping mouths serve as a reminder of the spiritual battles faced by the faithful. They highlight the reality of opposition and persecution that believers may encounter. However, they also point to the ultimate vindication and deliverance that God provides, as seen in the resurrection of Christ, who overcame the scorn and mockery of His adversaries.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the act of opening one's mouth wide in a hostile manner was a common expression of contempt and aggression. It was a non-verbal way to demonstrate dominance and to intimidate an opponent. This cultural understanding enriches the biblical narrative, providing insight into the severity of the situations described.

Application for Believers:

For contemporary believers, the imagery of gaping mouths serves as a powerful reminder of the spiritual opposition that exists in the world. It encourages Christians to remain steadfast in their faith, trusting in God's justice and ultimate victory over all forms of evil and hostility. The biblical accounts of gaping adversaries also call believers to respond to persecution with grace and confidence in God's sovereign plan.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(imp. & p. p.) of Gape.
Strong's Hebrew
6473. paar -- to open wide (the mouth)
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to open wide (the mouth) NASB Word Usage
gaped (1), opened (2), opened my wide (1). gape, open wide. ...
/hebrew/6473.htm - 6k
Library

When Diamond Went Home to Breakfast, He Found his Father and ...
... Everything looked very strange, indeed; for here was a town abandoned by its nurse,
the sea, like an old oyster left on the shore till it gaped for weariness. ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 9 when diamond went.htm

Gregory the Patriarch and the Society at Kunwald, 1457-1473.
... "If a true Christian," said he to a friend, "were to turn up now in Prague, he would
be gaped at like a stag with golden horns." But he was not a stag with ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter v gregory the patriarch.htm

Ambassadors for Christ
... The crowd gaped at the wonders, and grasped at the possibility of cures for their
afflicted. Neither party in the least saw below the surface. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/ambassadors for christ.htm

The Founder and Finisher of the Temple
... During all that time, the hole in the ground, where the foundations had been dug
and a few courses of stones been laid, gaped desolate, a sad reminder to the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the founder and finisher of.htm

Wesley in St. Albans Abbey
... people. They gaped and stared while I was speaking of death and judgment,
as if they had never heard of such things before. And ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/wesley in st albans abbey.htm

Wesley at Greenock and Glasgow
... experienced Christians; but soon after, a heap of fine gay people came in; yet I
could not decently break off what I was about, though they gaped and stared ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/wesley at greenock and glasgow.htm

Answer to Eunomius' Second Book .
... then, that shepherd who is in the record, when he had cast down the alien with his
sling, and broken his helmet with the stone, so that it gaped under the ...
/.../gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/answer to eunomius second book.htm

Thou Shalt Honor Thy Father and Thy Mother.
... such care and diligence] commended, but had to be neglected and trampled under foot,
so that a child could not lay it to heart, and meanwhile gaped [like a ...
/.../luther/the large catechism/thou shalt honor thy father.htm

"It is Finished"
... foot of the cross. The wounds made by the nails gaped as the weight of
His body dragged upon His hands. His labored breath grew ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 79 it is finished.htm

You have Therefore the Will of My God. ...
... being killed for salvation, who did not dislike being killed for destruction?"Will
he feel squeamish with reference to the counter poison, who gaped for the ...
/.../scorpiace antidote for the scorpions sting/chapter v you have therefore.htm

Thesaurus
Gaped (2 Occurrences)
...Gaped (2 Occurrences). Job 16:10 They have gaped on me with their mouth. ... Psalms
22:13 They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion. ...
/g/gaped.htm - 7k

Gape (2 Occurrences)
... Gape (2 Occurrences). Job 16:10 They have gaped on me with their mouth. ... Psalms
22:13 They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion. ...
/g/gape.htm - 7k

Unite (10 Occurrences)
... punishment. (Root in BBE YLT NAS NIV). Job 16:10 They have gaped on me with
their mouth. They have struck me on the cheek reproachfully. ...
/u/unite.htm - 10k

Jeer (2 Occurrences)
... Job 16:10 They have gaped on me with their mouth. They have struck me on the cheek
reproachfully. They gather themselves together against me. (See NIV). ...
/j/jeer.htm - 7k

Gapes (1 Occurrence)

/g/gapes.htm - 6k

Insolently (6 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Job 16:10 They have gaped upon me with their mouth; they have smitten
me upon the cheek scornfully; they gather themselves together against me. ...
/i/insolently.htm - 8k

Ravening (6 Occurrences)
... wickedness. (KJV WBS). Psalms 22:13 They gaped upon me with their mouths, as
a ravening and a roaring lion. (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV). ...
/r/ravening.htm - 8k

Reproachfully (3 Occurrences)
... (KJV WBS). Job 16:10 They have gaped on me with their mouth. They have struck me
on the cheek reproachfully. They gather themselves together against me. ...
/r/reproachfully.htm - 7k

Cheek (9 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). Job 16:10 They have gaped on me with their
mouth. They have struck me on the cheek reproachfully. ...
/c/cheek.htm - 12k

Slapped (5 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Job 16:10 They have gaped on me with their mouth. They have struck me
on the cheek reproachfully. They gather themselves together against me. ...
/s/slapped.htm - 7k

Resources
Gaped: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Gaped (2 Occurrences)

Job 16:10
They have gaped on me with their mouth. They have struck me on the cheek reproachfully. They gather themselves together against me.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Psalms 22:13
They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion.
(KJV WBS)

Subtopics

Gaped

Related Terms

Gapeth (1 Occurrence)

Gaped (2 Occurrences)

Pant (8 Occurrences)

Schemer (2 Occurrences)

Thirsty (38 Occurrences)

Eager (43 Occurrences)

Thorns (56 Occurrences)

Devour (118 Occurrences)

Eats (57 Occurrences)

Snare (69 Occurrences)

Substance (99 Occurrences)

Consume (136 Occurrences)

Hungry (56 Occurrences)

Harvest (109 Occurrences)

Gape
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