### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek noun βρυγμός (brygmós), Strong's number `{{G1030}}`, is derived from the verb βρύχω (brycho) `{{G1031}}`, meaning "to bite," "to grind," or "to gnash." As a noun, βρυγμός specifically denotes the act or sound of "gnashing" or "grinding the teeth." Its core meaning conveys a forceful, often involuntary, grinding of the teeth, indicative of extreme emotional states. The semantic range of βρυγμός is narrow, primarily focused on this physical manifestation, but it consistently carries profound connotations of intense suffering, anguish, rage, or despair, rather than merely a neutral description of a sound.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
βρυγμός appears seven times in the New Testament, exclusively within the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew and Luke) and once in Acts. Its most prominent usage is in the recurring phrase "weeping and gnashing of teeth" (ὁ κλαυθμὸς καὶ ὁ βρυγμὸς τῶν ὀδόντων), which Jesus employs to describe the fate of those excluded from the Kingdom of Heaven:
* In [[Matthew 8:12]], it describes the "sons of the kingdom" who will be cast out into outer darkness.
* In [[Matthew 13:42]] and [[Matthew 13:50]], it characterizes the fate of the wicked, who are thrown into the fiery furnace.
* [[Matthew 22:13]] portrays the man without a wedding garment being cast into outer darkness.
* [[Matthew 24:51]] speaks of the unfaithful servant who will be cut in pieces.
* [[Matthew 25:30]] describes the worthless servant cast into outer darkness.
* [[Luke 13:28]] depicts the anguish of those who see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in the Kingdom of God, while they themselves are cast out.
In these contexts, the "gnashing of teeth" alongside "weeping" vividly portrays the extreme anguish, despair, regret, and perhaps even impotent rage of those facing divine judgment and exclusion. It is a powerful metaphor for their inner torment and the futility of their position.
A distinct usage occurs in [[Acts 7:54]], where βρυγμός describes the reaction of the Sanhedrin to Stephen's sermon: "When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed their teeth at him." Here, βρυγμός signifies intense, hostile rage and fury, bordering on violent intent, demonstrating a visceral rejection of the truth Stephen proclaimed.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most directly related word is the verbal root βρύχω (brycho) `{{G1031}}`, from which βρυγμός is derived. This verbal form carries the same core meaning of "to gnash."
Conceptually, βρυγμός is inextricably linked with:
* **Weeping (κλαυθμὸς `{{G2805}}`):** This pairing, "weeping and gnashing of teeth," is almost always present in the Synoptic Gospels, emphasizing the dual nature of sorrow and agony alongside the rage or despair.
* **Outer Darkness (σκότος τὸ ἐξώτερον):** The spatial context where the gnashing occurs, signifying exclusion, isolation, and separation from God's presence.
* **Fiery Furnace (κάμινον τοῦ πυρός):** Another common context, highlighting the torment and punitive aspect of judgment.
* **Anger and Rage:** As seen in [[Acts 7:54]], βρυγμός can be a physical manifestation of intense, often uncontrollable, anger and hostile opposition.
* **Despair and Regret:** In the judgment contexts, the gnashing also conveys a sense of profound, self-inflicted agony arising from regret over lost opportunities and the realization of one's dire fate.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of βρυγμός is profound and multifaceted:
* **Divine Judgment and Retribution:** The consistent use of "weeping and gnashing of teeth" by Jesus serves as a stark warning about the reality of divine judgment and the severe, agonizing consequences for those who reject God's invitation to His Kingdom or fail to live in accordance with His will. It underscores the gravity of eternal separation from God.
* **Consequences of Unbelief and Disobedience:** βρυγμός vividly portrays the ultimate fate of spiritual unpreparedness, hypocrisy, and persistent unbelief. It is a powerful metaphor for the inner torment of remorse, despair, and impotent rage experienced by those who find themselves irrevocably outside God's saving grace.
* **The Reality of Hell:** While the phrase is often metaphorical, it points to a very real and agonizing experience of eternal condemnation. It communicates a sense of utter frustration, self-reproach, and the torment of being consumed by one's own unfulfilled desires and resentments in a state of ultimate alienation.
* **Human Hostility to Truth:** The instance in [[Acts 7:54]] highlights βρυγμός as a visceral, violent reaction to the proclamation of divine truth. It illustrates the intense opposition, fury, and spiritual blindness that can arise in the human heart when confronted with conviction, particularly when one refuses to repent and embrace the Gospel.
### Summary
βρυγμός (brygmós) `{{G1030}}` is a Greek noun meaning "gnashing of teeth," derived from βρύχω (brycho) `{{G1031}}`. In the New Testament, it is predominantly found in Jesus' teachings within the Synoptic Gospels, almost exclusively in the phrase "weeping and gnashing of teeth." This phrase describes the intense anguish, despair, and impotent rage experienced by those cast out into "outer darkness" as a result of divine judgment, signifying their exclusion from the Kingdom of Heaven. In [[Acts 7:54]], it denotes the furious, hostile reaction of the Sanhedrin to Stephen's witness. Theologically, βρυγμός powerfully signifies the severe consequences of rejecting God's grace, the reality of eternal judgment, and the profound suffering of those in spiritual condemnation. It also illustrates the visceral human opposition to divine truth.
TRV