τρίζω (trizō)
trizō
to gnash
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek verb trizō describes a sharp, grating sound, specifically the act of gnashing or grinding teeth. While its root usage can apply to animal cries, in Scripture it is almost exclusively used for humans expressing intense distress or rage through this physical action. It conveys a visceral reaction rather than a calm statement.
This word appears only once in the New Testament, in Mark 9:18, where a father describes his son’s severe condition. The boy’s seizures are so violent that he "gnashes" his teeth before falling into a fit. Here, trizō captures the raw physical agony and helplessness of the situation, emphasizing the severity of the affliction beyond mere words.
Translators typically render this as "gnash," which preserves the harsh, auditory quality of the original Greek. The term highlights the bodily manifestation of extreme pain or anger, grounding the emotional state in a concrete, sensory experience that readers can immediately visualize and hear.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word trizō paints a vivid picture of intense physical distress. In Mark 9:18, a father describes his son’s severe condition, noting that the spirit throws him down, causes him to foam at the mouth, and makes him grind his teeth. This single term captures the raw agony and helplessness of the moment, grounding the emotional state in a concrete, sensory experience.
When we face situations that feel beyond our control, this imagery reminds us that Jesus sees the full depth of our suffering. He does not dismiss the visceral reality of pain or fear. Instead, He meets us in those moments of helplessness, offering peace where there is chaos and strength where there is weakness.
May you find comfort knowing that no struggle is too great for Him to understand. His presence brings healing and hope, even when the circumstances seem overwhelming.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- he gnashes1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- τρίζει1×
Key Verses
-
Mark 9:18
and wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; and he foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they weren’t able.”
This verse uses the word to describe the violent physical symptoms of a boy’s affliction, highlighting the severity of his distress.