MOUTH (in). The ordinary applications of this word, common to all languages, require no explanation ; but the following somewhat peculiar uses may be noted : Heavy-mouthed,' that is, slow of speech, and so translated in Exod. iv. so ; `smooth mouth' (Prov. xxvi. 28), that is, a flat tering mouth ; so also a mouth of deceit' (Ps. cix. 2). The following are also remarkable phrases : To speak with one mouth to mouth,' that is, in person, without the intervention of an interpreter (Num. xii. 8 ; comp. i Kings viii. 15 s Jer. xxxii. 4). With one mouth,' that is, with one voice or consent (Josh. ix. 2 ; 1 Kings xxii. 13 ; 2 Chron. xviii. 12). With the whole mouth,' that is, with the utmost strength of voice (Job xix. 16 ; Ps. lxvi. 17). To put words into one's mouth,' that is, to suggest what one shall say (Exod. iv. 15 ; Num. xxii. 38 ; xxiii. 5, 12 ; 2 Sam. xiv. 19, etc.) To be in one's mouth,' is to be often spoken of, as a law, etc. (Exod. xiii. 9 ; comp. Ps. v. so; =Mil 15). The Hebrew also says, 'upon the mouth,' where we say, and indeed our translation says, in or into the mouth (e.g., Nah. iii. 12) ; that which is spoken is also said to be 'upon the mouth,' where we should say upon the lips' (as in 2 Sam. xiii. 32). To lay the hand upon the mouth' is to be silent (Judg. xviii. 19 ; Job xxi. 5 ; xl. 4 ; comp. Prov. xxx. 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 (Jer. xxxvi. 4, 27, 32 ; xlv. 1).
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 (Gen. xlv. according to the commandment of Pharaoh,' is in the original, according to the mouth of Pharaoh' (comp., among numerous other examples, Num. iii. 16 ; Job xxxix. 27 ; Eccles. viii. 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 Revelations (Rev. xvi. 13, 14 ; i. 16 ; xi. 4, 5 ; xii. 15 ; ix. 19). The term mouth is not only applied to a speech or words, but to the speaker (Exod. iv. 16 ; Jer. xv. 19), in which sense it has a near equivalent in our expression mouth-piece.'—j. K.