Taphos denotes a burial place, used literally for tombs and graves and figuratively for an open throat.

The term most often denotes a physical burial place: graves built or compared with hidden death, and a tomb visited, guarded, or sealed. Romans 3:13 uses it figuratively in the comparison of a throat to an open grave.

1. Physical burial place · dominant

   In Matthew 23:27 the dative plural occurs in a comparison with whitewashed graves that look beautiful outwardly but contain bones and uncleanness; Matthew 23:29 refers to building the graves of the prophets. The singular accusative marks the tomb that is secured, sealed, and visited in Matthew 27:64, Matthew 27:66, and Matthew 28:1, while Matthew 27:61 places the women opposite it.

   Matthew 23:27Matthew 23:29Matthew 27:61Matthew 27:64Matthew 27:66Matthew 28:1
2. Figurative image of deathly openness · rare

   In Romans 3:13 the nominative singular stands in the comparison, “Their throat is an open grave,” within a clause about deception and poison under the lips. The APB’s wording confirms a figurative use rather than a reference to a physical burial site.

   Romans 3:13

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB uses “graves” in Matthew 23:27 and Matthew 23:29, and “tomb” in Matthew 27:61, Matthew 27:64, Matthew 27:66, and Matthew 28:1. In Romans 3:13 it uses “grave” in the figurative phrase “an open grave”; these are translation renderings rather than definitions.