lip

To “open the lips” is to begin to speak (Job 11:5).

To “refrain the lips” is to keep silence (Psalm 40:9; 1 Peter 3:10).

The “fruit of the lips” (Hebrews 13:15) is praise.

The “calves of the lips” are thank-offerings (Hos. 14:2).

To “shoot out the lip” is to manifest scorn and defiance (Psalm 22:7).

Many similar forms of expression are found in Scripture.

Besides its literal sense (Isaiah 37:29, etc.), “lip” is used in the original (saphah) metaphorically for an edge or border, as of…

• a cup (1 Kings 7:26)
• a garment (Exodus 28:32)
• a curtain (26:4)
• the sea (Genesis 22:17)
• the Jordan (2 Kings 2:13).

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