Cheek

Webster's Dictionary

(1): (v. t.) To be impudent or saucy to.

(2): (n.) Cool confidence; assurance; impudence.

(3): (n.) The cheek bone.

(4): (n.) Those pieces of a machine, or of any timber, or stone work, which form corresponding sides, or which are similar and in pair; as, the cheeks (jaws) of a vise; the cheeks of a gun carriage, etc.

(5): (n.) The branches of a bridle bit.

(6): (n.) A section of a flask, so made that it can be moved laterally, to permit the removal of the pattern from the mold; the middle part of a flask.

(7): (n.) The side of the face below the eye.

Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words

1: Σιαγών (Strong'S #4600 — Noun Feminine — siagon — see-ag-one' )

primarily denotes "the jaw, the jaw-bone;" hence "cheek,"  Matthew 5:39;  Luke 6:29 .

King James Dictionary

CHEEK, n.

1. The side of the face below the eyes on each side. 2. Among mechanics, cheeks are those pieces of a machine which form corresponding sides, or which are double and alike as the cheeks of a printing press, which stand perpendicular and support the three sommers, the head, shelves and winter the cheeks of a turners lathe the cheeks of a glaziers vise the cheeks of a mortar, and of a gun-carriage the cheeks of a mast, which serve to sustain the trestle trees, &c.

Cheek by jowl, closeness, proximity.

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

CHEEK . The seat of health and beauty (  Song of Solomon 1:10;   Song of Solomon 5:13 ). To be smitten on the cheek was the climax of insult and violence. That the command in   Matthew 5:39 is not to be interpreted literally is shown by Christ’s own protest in   John 18:23 .

C. W. Emmet

Easton's Bible Dictionary

 Job 16:10 Lamentations 3:30 Micah 5:1 Luke 6:29 Matthew 5:39 1 Peter 2:19-23 Psalm 3:7

Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types

 Song of Solomon 5:13 (c) Solomon is pouring out his love and praise to his Lord. He describes each part of His body as being wonderfully attractive to him.

 Matthew 5:39 (b) This may be taken as a sign of humbleness and meekness in the presence of those who are the opposite.

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

( לְחַי , Lechi ´ , the Jaw, as often rendered; Σιαγών ). Smiting upon the cheek is frequently spoken of in the Scriptures as a most grievous insult and injury ( Job 16:10;  Lamentations 3:30;  Micah 5:1;  Luke 6:29); and the incidental notices of modern travelers on this, as on other subjects, exhibit the literal accuracy of the language of the inspired writers. Lord Valentia, in his Travels, alluding to one of his servants, says, "Davage was deeply incensed; nor could I do more than induce him to come to the factory on business while I was there, Mr. Pringle having, in one of his fits struck him on the cheek with the sole of his slipper." Sir W. Ouseley, speaking of the Persian court, remarks, "When the vizir declared himself unable to procure the money, Fathh Ali Shah reproached him for his crimes, struck him on the face, and, with the high wooden heel of a slipper, always iron-bound, beat out several of his teeth." Roberts remarks that the Hindoo can bear almost anything without emotion except slippering — that is, a stroke with the sole of a slipper or sandal, after a person has taken it off his foot and spit upon it: this is dreaded above all affronts, and considered as no less ignominious than spitting in the face or bespattering with dirt among Europeans. An angry man often says, "I will beat thy cheek, thou low-caste fellow."

The term "cheek-bone," in  Psalms 3:7, is used figuratively, and presents the Psalmist surrounded by his enemies as by a herd of wild beasts, and denotes their complete deprivation of the power of seizing upon or devouring their prey. In  Joel 1:6, the "Cheek-Teeth" ( מְתִלְּעוֹת , Methalle Ö Th ´ ), Grinders, of locusts are compared to those of a beast of prey.