SPECIAL TOPIC: GESTURES OF SURPRISE OR CONTEMPT

There are several physical gestures of surprise and contempt (JPSOA claims that Lam. 2:15 refers to superstition related to curses, using Job 27:23 and Jer. 18:16).

1. "clap their hands" - Num. 24:10; Job 27:23 (see Special Topic: Clap Your Hands)
2. "hiss" - Lam. 2:16; 1 Kgs. 9:8; 2 Chr. 29:8; Job 27:23; Jer. 18:16; 19:8; 25:9,18; 49:17; 50:13; 51:37; Ezek. 27:36; Zeph. 2:15
3. "shake their heads" - possibly Lam. 1:8b; 2 Kgs. 19:21; Job 16:4; Ps. 22:7; 109:25; Isa. 37:22; Jer. 18:16; Zeph. 2:15; Matt. 27:39; Mark 15:29
4. "gnash their teeth" - This was a gesture of anger and aggression (cf. Job 16:9); Ps. 35:16; 37:12; 112:10; Lam. 2:16; Matt. 8:12; 13:42; 22:13; 24:51; 25:30; Luke 13:28; Acts 7:54

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