Tooth

Boyd’s Bible Dictionary:

The Jewish law of retaliation permitted the deprivation of “eye for eye, tooth for tooth”

(Ex. 21:24²⁴Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, (Exodus 21:24)). The principle of this law was condemned by Christ (Matt. 5:38-42³⁸Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: ³⁹But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. ⁴⁰And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. ⁴¹And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. ⁴²Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. (Matthew 5:38‑42)). Teeth used figuratively for the inheritable quality of sin (Ezek. 18:2²What mean ye, that ye use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge? (Ezekiel 18:2)); “cleanness of teeth” a figure for famine (Amos 4:6⁶And I also have given you cleanness of teeth in all your cities, and want of bread in all your places: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the Lord. (Amos 4:6)); “gnashing of teeth” indicative of rage and despair (Matt. 8:12¹²But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 8:12)).

From Manners and Customs of the Bible:

Psalm 58:6⁶Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth: break out the great teeth of the young lions, O Lord. (Psalm 58:6). Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth: break out the great teeth of the young lions, O Lord.

This is thought by some to be a continuation of the figure in the preceding verse, and to allude to the custom of snake charmers, who, it is said, often break out the teeth of the serpents they wish to tame, and remove the poisonous gland; though this is not always done, as the preceding note shows.

This interpretation, however, supposes a “mixed figure” in the text: a sudden transition from the serpent’s teeth to the teeth of young lions. Other interpreters therefore suppose that the reference to serpent charming closes with the fifth verse, and that in the sixth verse an allusion is made to an ancient custom of heathen kings, who were in the habit of knocking out the teeth of their prisoners, or of those who had offended them.

Tooth

Boyd’s Bible Dictionary:

From Manners and Customs of the Bible:

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