the Week of Christ the King / Proper 29 / Ordinary 34
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Bible Encyclopedias
Mouth
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
or (prop. פֶּה, peh; Gr. στόμα), besides its ordinary applications, was used in the following idiomatic phrases by the Hebrews (see Gesenius, Heb. Lex. s.v,): "Heavy-mouthed," that is, slow of speech, and so translated in Exodus 4:10; " smooth mouth" (Psalms 55:21), that is, a flattering mouth; so also "a mouth of deceit" (Psalms 109:2). The following are also remarkable phrases: "To speak with one mouth to mouth," that is, in person, without the intervention of an interpreter (Numbers 12:8; comp. 1 Kings 8:15; Jeremiah 32:4); "With one mouth," that is, with one voice or consent (Joshua 9:2; 1 Kings 22:13; 2 Chronicles 18:12); "With the whole mouth," that is, with the utmost strength of voice (Job 19:16; Psalms 66:17); "To put words into one's mouth," that is, to suggest what one shall say (Exodus 4:15; Numbers 22:38; Numbers 23:5; Numbers 23:12; 2 Samuel 14:19, etc.); "To be in one's mouth" is to be often spoken of, as a law, etc. (Exodus 13:9; comp. Psalms 5:10; Psalms 38:15). The Hebrew also says, "upon the mouth," where we say, and indeed our translation says, in or into the mouth (e.g. Nahum 3:12); that which is spoken is also said to be "upon the mouth," where we should say, "upon the lips" (as in 2 Samuel 13:32). "To lay the hand upon the mouth" is to be silent (Judges 18:19; Job 21:5; Job 40:4; comp. Proverbs 30:32), just as we lay the finger on the mouth to enjoin silence. "To write from the mouth of any one" is to do so from his dictation (Jeremiah 36:4; Jeremiah 36:27; Jeremiah 36:32; Jeremiah 45:1). The word of God, or, literally, " the word that proceeds out of his mouth," signifies the actions of God's providence, his commands, whereby he rules the world, and brings all things to his purpose (Isaiah 4:11). To "inquire at the mouth of the Lord" is to consult him (Joshua 19:14). To "set their mouth against the heavens" is to speak arrogantly, insolently, and blasphemously of God (Psalms 73:9). "He shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked," are expressions which denote the sovereign authority and absolute power of the Messiah (Isaiah 10:4). (See Wemyss, Clavis Symbolica, s.v.) The mouth, as the organ of speech, also signifies the words that proceed out of it, which in the sacred style are the same as commands and actions, because they imply the effects of the thoughts; words and commands being the means used to communicate decrees to those who are to execute them. Instances of this abound in Scripture, in various shades of application; but few of them are preserved in translation. Thus (Genesis 45:12), "according to the commandment of Pharaoh," is in the original, "according to the mouth of Pharaoh" (comp., among numerous other examples, Numbers 3:16; Job 39:27; Ecclesiastes 8:2). Hence, for a person or thing to come out of the mouth of another is to be constituted or commanded to become an agent or minister under a superior power; this is frequent in the Apocalypse (Revelation 16:13-14; Revelation 1:16; Revelation 11:4-5; Revelation 12:15; Revelation 9:19). The term mouth is not only applied to a speech or words, but to the speaker (Exodus 4:16; Jeremiah 15:19), in which sense it has a near equivalent in our expression "mouthpiece."
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McClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Mouth'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/tce/m/mouth.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.
