Understanding βρύχω (bruchō) Strong’s G1031: The Gnashing of Teeth That Reveals the Heart’s Rebellion Against God

Pronunciation Guide: broo’-kho (with a guttural ‘ch’ sound as in Scottish ‘loch’)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G1031: βρύχω (bruchō) refers to the forceful grinding or gnashing of teeth, particularly in contexts of intense anger, hatred, or extreme anguish. This visceral physical expression reveals a deep-seated internal rage or despair. In biblical usage, it often symbolizes vehement opposition to God’s truth and appears in contexts of divine judgment where the unrepentant express their continuing rebellion even in the face of justice.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of speech: Verb
• Origin: Ancient Greek
• Root: Onomatopoeic, mimicking the sound of grinding teeth
• Primary usage: Narrative sections describing intense emotional reactions
• Appears primarily in contexts of hostility toward God’s messengers
• Usage frequency: Rare (appears only once in the New Testament)

βρύχω Morphology:

• βρύχω (present active indicative, 1st person singular) – I gnash/grind
• βρύχεις (present active indicative, 2nd person singular) – you gnash/grind
• βρύχει (present active indicative, 3rd person singular) – he/she/it gnashes/grinds
• ἔβρυχον (imperfect active indicative, 3rd person plural) – they were gnashing/grinding
• βρύχοντες (present active participle, nominative plural masculine) – gnashing/grinding ones

Origin & History

The term βρύχω has ancient roots in classical Greek literature, where it originally described the gnashing or grinding of teeth, often in contexts of extreme anger or pain. Homer uses related terms in the Iliad to describe warriors grinding their teeth in battle rage. The word is onomatopoeic in nature, imitating the sound made when teeth are forcefully ground together.

In the Septuagint (LXX), βρύχω appears in several significant passages, including Psalm 35:16 and Psalm 37:12, where it describes the hostile actions of the wicked against the righteous. This established a theological pattern that carries into New Testament usage, where βρύχω represents not merely a physical action but a spiritual posture of hostility toward God’s truth and His messengers.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Forceful grinding of teeth as an expression of uncontrollable rage
• Gnashing teeth in extreme anguish or despair
• Physical manifestation of spiritual rebellion against divine authority
• Symbol of continuing defiance even in the face of divine judgment

βρύχω Translation Options:

• Gnash – Captures the forceful, aggressive nature of the action and is the most common translation
• Grind – Emphasizes the continuous, persistent nature of the action
• Grate – Highlights the harsh, discordant sound aspect of the action
• Clench and grind – Provides a more complete picture of the physical action involved
• Snarl with grinding teeth – Expands the translation to include the facial expression that typically accompanies the action

Biblical Usage

The verb βρύχω appears only once in the New Testament, in Acts 7:54, at a pivotal moment in early church history. After Stephen’s powerful testimony before the Sanhedrin, the Jewish leaders respond with unbridled fury: “Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they gnashed [ἔβρυχον] their teeth at him.” This physical manifestation reveals their spiritual state—a heart-level rejection of the Holy Spirit’s testimony through Stephen about the Messiah.

While rare in verbal form, the concept appears in several other passages through related expressions:

• “Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they gnashed [ἔβρυχον] their teeth at him.” Acts 7:54
• “There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth [βρυγμὸς τῶν ὀδόντων].” Matthew 8:12
• “The wicked plots against the righteous and gnashes [βρύχει] his teeth at him.” Psalm 37:12 (LXX)
• “Like profane mockers at a feast, they gnash [ἔβρυξαν] at me with their teeth.” Psalm 35:16 (LXX)
• “All your enemies have opened their mouths wide against you; they hiss and gnash [ἔβρυξαν] their teeth.” Lamentations 2:16 (LXX)

Cultural Insights

In the ancient Near East, gnashing or grinding of teeth was a recognized expression of extreme hostility. It was often accompanied by other physical manifestations like rolling eyes, foaming at the mouth, or wild gestures—all indicating a person who had lost rational control due to rage. This cultural understanding gives deeper context to the Sanhedrin’s reaction to Stephen’s speech.

The Jewish religious leaders would have been particularly insulted by Stephen’s accusation that they were “stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears” (Acts 7:51). To call a Jewish person “uncircumcised” was among the gravest insults, suggesting they were no better than Gentiles despite their physical circumcision. Their teeth-gnashing response shows how deeply this truth cut—revealing that Stephen had accurately diagnosed their spiritual condition.

The Talmud (Sanhedrin 110b) mentions gnashing of teeth as one sign of Gehinnom (hell), showing that this physical action was already associated with divine judgment in Jewish thought. This connection helps explain why Yeshua (Jesus) frequently used the phrase “weeping and gnashing of teeth” when describing the fate of those excluded from the Kingdom.

Theological Significance

The theological significance of βρύχω extends far beyond a mere physical reaction. When the Sanhedrin gnashed their teeth at Stephen, they unwittingly fulfilled the very Scriptures they claimed to defend. Psalm 35:16 prophetically describes the wicked “gnashing their teeth” against the righteous one—a pattern fulfilled most perfectly in their treatment of Yeshua Himself, and now extended to His witness Stephen.

This physical action reveals a devastating spiritual reality: even when confronted with the truth of God’s Word and the testimony of the Holy Spirit, the human heart can become so hardened that it responds with increased hatred rather than repentance. The Sanhedrin members were theological experts who knew the Scriptures thoroughly, yet they remained “uncircumcised in heart and ears” (Acts 7:51)—revealing that knowledge without submission to יהוה (Yahweh) leads not to wisdom but to increased rebellion.

Moreover, the teeth-gnashing response to Stephen foreshadows the ultimate judgment where unrepentant sinners continue their rebellion through “weeping and gnashing of teeth” even while experiencing the consequences of their choices. This powerful image teaches us that יהוה’s judgment does not transform the heart; only His grace received in this life can accomplish that miracle of transformation.

Personal Application

Examining our own reactions to correction and biblical truth can be a profound spiritual thermometer. When confronted with a challenging truth from Scripture or a fellow believer, do we respond with humble reception or with defensive anger? The teeth-gnashing reaction of the Sanhedrin serves as a sobering warning about the danger of religious knowledge without heart transformation.

Each of us has experienced moments when pride causes us to resist God’s truth. Rather than gnashing our teeth in opposition, we are invited to “receive with meekness the implanted word” (James 1:21). Today, ask the Holy Spirit to show you any areas where you may be resisting His gentle correction. Remember that Stephen, even while facing teeth-gnashing opposition, saw the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God. This same Messiah stands ready to receive all who turn to Him in humility rather than grinding their teeth in opposition.

Related Words

• βρυγμός (brugmos) – the noun form meaning “gnashing,” often paired with “weeping” in Yeshua’s teachings about judgment – See G1030
• τρίζω (trizō) – to grate, grind, or creak, used in Mark 9:18 to describe a demonized boy grinding his teeth – See G5149
• ὠρύομαι (ōruomai) – to roar or howl, describing the predatory behavior of Satan as a “roaring lion” – See G5612
• μαίνομαι (mainomai) – to rage, be furious, or behave as one insane, another extreme emotional reaction – See G3105
• διαπρίω (diapriō) – to be cut to the heart, sawn through with anger, used in Acts 5:33 to describe the Sanhedrin’s reaction to the apostles’ testimony – See G1282

Did You Know?

• Did you know that modern medical science has identified a condition called bruxism—derived from the Greek βρύχω—which involves unconscious grinding of teeth, often during sleep or in times of stress? This medical term preserves the ancient Greek root and reminds us that physical manifestations of internal stress have been recognized across millennia. While modern bruxism is involuntary and typically stress-related, the biblical βρύχω describes a conscious expression of rage and hostility.
• Did you know that the sequence of events in Stephen’s martyrdom parallels Yeshua’s trial and crucifixion in multiple ways? Both were accused of speaking against the Temple, both were brought before the Sanhedrin, both were charged with blasphemy, and both prayed for their executioners’ forgiveness. The teeth-gnashing reaction to Stephen shows that the same hardness of heart that rejected the Messiah was now rejecting His witnesses—revealing a pattern of opposition to God’s truth that continues throughout history.
• Did you know that in ancient Jewish apocalyptic literature, particularly in 1 Enoch, gnashing of teeth is specifically mentioned as one of the torments of the wicked in the afterlife? This background helps explain why Yeshua’s audiences would have immediately understood His references to “weeping and gnashing of teeth” as referring to divine judgment. The Sanhedrin’s teeth-gnashing reaction to Stephen therefore carries an additional layer of irony—they were enacting the very judgment behavior that awaited those who reject God’s messengers.

Remember This

When teeth grind against the truth, it is not the truth that wears away, but rather the heart that hardens further—yet even in our most rebellious moments, the Messiah stands ready to receive those who exchange their gnashing for repentance.