JAW, JAWBONE (לְחִי֒, H4305, jaw, cheek). Of the jaws of an ox or sheep (Deut 18:3 tr. “two cheeks”; Hos 11:4); of an ass (Judg 15:15, 16, 17, v. 19 “Lehi” making it a place name, cf. vv. 14, 19; see Lehi; Samson); of a crocodile (ASVmg., RSVmg.), text, “Leviathan” (Job 41:1, 2); fig. of Pharaoh as a “great dragon” KJV RSV, “monster” ASV (Ezek 29:3, 4; cf. 38:4); fig. of the people as a beast of burden (Isa 30:28). When this Heb. word is used of men, it is tr. “cheek” (1 Kings 22:24; Job 16:10; Ps 3:7; Song of Solomon 1:10; 5:13; Isa 50:6; etc.).

The Heb. word מַלְקﯴחַ֫יִם, H4918, from a root meaning “take” (Ps 22:15), refers specifically to the gums. The Heb. word מְתַלְּעﯴת, H5506, is from a root meaning “gnaw”; “jaws” KJV, ASV, “great teeth” ASVmg., “fangs” RSV (Job 29:1); “teeth” KJV, RSV, “jaw teeth” ASV (Prov 30:14); “lion’s teeth” RSV, “teeth of a lion” KJV, ASV (Joel 1:6).