English · KJV
G1031

βρύχω

brýchō /broo'-kho/ Ask about this word
Meaninga primary verb; to grate the teeth (in pain or rage)
KJV usagegnash.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of brýchō — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word brýchō, represented by G1031, is a primary verb that means to gnash or grate the teeth. According to usage statistics, it appears only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the Bible. The definition specifies this action as a response to pain or rage.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The single biblical occurrence of G1031 is in Acts 7:54. This verse captures the intense and hostile reaction to Stephen's sermon. After the audience heard G191 "these things" G5023, the scripture states they "were cut G1282 to the heart G2588... and G2532 they gnashed G1031 on him with their teeth G3599." The action serves as a physical manifestation of their inner fury and conviction.

Related Words & Concepts

Several words found within its immediate context help clarify the meaning of G1031:

  • G1282 diapríō (cut (to the heart)): Defined as to "saw asunder" or figuratively "to exasperate," this describes the internal state of severe emotional agitation that precedes the gnashing of teeth Acts 7:54.
  • G2588 kardía (heart): The location of the emotional turmoil. It represents the "thoughts or feelings (mind)" which were "cut" by Stephen's message Acts 7:54.
  • G3599 odoús (tooth): The physical instrument used to perform the action of gnashing. The verse explicitly connects the rage to the physical act involving their teeth Acts 7:54.
  • G191 akoúō (to hear): This is the catalyst for the entire event. The intense reaction of being cut to the heart and gnashing teeth was triggered when they heard the message Acts 7:54.

Theological Significance

The thematic weight of G1031 is concentrated in its single appearance, highlighting a powerful reaction against divine truth.

  • A Sign of Rage: The act of gnashing teeth is a raw, physical expression of uncontrollable rage and hostility directed at a messenger of God.
  • Rejection of Conviction: The response in Acts 7:54 is critical. Upon hearing the truth, the people are "cut to the heart," a moment of deep conviction. Instead of leading to repentance, this conviction curdles into rage, expressed through G1031.
  • Precursor to Violence: This display of rage is not the end of the action but the boiling point immediately preceding the violent act of stoning Stephen.

Summary

In summary, G1031 is a potent verb that, while rare, provides a stark image of defiant rage. It is not simply about being angry; it specifically illustrates a hostile response to a spiritual truth that convicts the heart. Its singular use in Acts 7:54 powerfully connects an internal, emotional state of being "cut" with an external, violent expression of gnashing teeth.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 1 occurrence, inflected in 1 grammatical form — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

  • Imperfect Active Indicative 3rd Plural 1×
Plural
More than one.
3rd
Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Imperfect
Ongoing or repeated action in the past — "was doing".
Active
The subject performs the action.
Indicative
A plain statement of fact.

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

G191 ἀκούω a primary verb; to hear (in various senses):--give (in the) audience (of), come (to the ears), (shall) hear(-er, -ken), G5023 ταῦτα nominative or accusative case neuter plural of οὗτος; these things:--+ afterward, follow, + hereafter, X him, the same, G1282 διαπρίω from διά and the base of πρίζω; to saw asunder, i.e. (figuratively) to exasperate:--cut (to the heart). G2588 καρδία prolonged from a primary (Latin cor, "heart"); the heart, i.e. (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by G2532 καί apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too G3599 ὀδούς perhaps from the base of ἐσθίω; a "tooth":--tooth.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

1 verse, all in Acts — and none of the other 26 New Testament books.

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.