Proverbs 30:14
There are those whose teeth are swords, whose fangs are knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, the needy from among mankind.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The vivid imagery of teeth like swords and jaw teeth like knives isn't just about being sharp; it paints a picture of consuming the vulnerable. This generation doesn't just hurt the poor; they seek to completely eradicate them from the face of the earth, leaving no trace. It's a brutal hunger for destruction, not just possession.
This verse is part of Agur's collection of proverbs, which often describe various types of people and their actions, sometimes with stark, vivid imagery. Agur is painting a picture of a specific kind of destructive, greedy generation whose cruelty towards the vulnerable is so extreme that it's compared to a wild animal tearing its prey apart. The proverbs that follow will continue to explore different kinds of pride and deceitful actions.
Imagine teeth sharpened to a razor's edge, not for survival, but for destruction. This verse paints a chilling picture of a specific kind of human cruelty.
Proverbs 30:14 uses intense imagery – 'teeth are swords,' 'jaw teeth are knives' – to describe those who exploit the vulnerable. This isn't just about being hungry; it's about a predatory, destructive hunger for wealth and power. These individuals act like fierce predators, their greed so sharp and their methods so brutal that they literally 'devour' the poor. They don't just take a little; they aim to completely strip the needy of what little they have, leaving them destitute and broken. It's a picture of insatiable cupidity leading to ruthless oppression, where the helpless are consumed by the cruelty of others.
The verse speaks of 'a generation.' What does this tell us about the pervasive nature of this destructive behavior?
The phrase 'a generation' suggests that this isn't an isolated incident but a recurring pattern of behavior, a mindset that infects a whole group of people. It points to a culture or a societal trend where exploiting the poor has become normalized. These individuals aren't just acting out of momentary anger; they are characterized by their consistent, deliberate cruelty. Their 'teeth' and 'jaw teeth' are tools for oppression, honed and ready. It speaks to a deep-seated barbarity and inhumanity where the powerful relentlessly pursue their own gain at the devastating expense of those with nothing.
Understand the original words
chereb · Hebrew Noun
Sharp tools used for cutting or killing; used metaphorically to describe the destructive and harmful nature of a person's words or actions toward others.
akal · Hebrew Verb
To eat greedily or consume; used figuratively to describe the ruthless exploitation of the vulnerable by the powerful.
ani · Hebrew Noun/Adjective
Those who lack material wealth or resources; throughout the Wisdom literature, they are identified as objects of God’s special concern and protectors of justice.
ebyon · Hebrew Noun/Adjective
One who is in want or lacking; a vulnerable person who relies on others or on God for assistance and relief.
This passage echoes the violent imagery of Proverbs 30:14, describing enemies whose teeth are like spears and arrows, and whose tongues are sharp swords, highlighting the destructive nature of those who prey on others.
Amos 8:4Amos directly addresses those who 'swallow up the needy' and 'make the poor of the land fail,' mirroring the predatory actions described in Proverbs 30:14 and showing the consistent prophetic condemnation of oppressing the vulnerable.
Matthew 23:14Jesus denounces the religious leaders for devouring 'widows' houses' and making long prayers, exposing a spiritual hypocrisy that cloaks greed, similar to the 'generation' in Proverbs that cruelly exploits the poor.
James 5:1-6James issues a stern warning to the rich who have 'stored up wealth in the last days' and have 'kept back the wages of the laborers,' directly condemning the kind of exploitation and oppression seen in Proverbs 30:14.
pooleProverbs 30:14: "There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men."
Extortioners, and cruel oppressors, who grind the faces of the poor.
clarkeProverbs 30:14: "There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men."
The fourth, The greedy, cruel, and oppressive, and, especially, oppressive to the poor.
The vivid imagery of teeth like swords and jaw teeth like knives isn't just about being sharp; it paints a picture of consuming the vulnerable. This generation doesn't just hurt the poor; they seek to completely eradicate them from the face of the earth, leaving no trace. It's a brutal hunger for destruction, not just possession.
This verse is part of Agur's collection of proverbs, which often describe various types of people and their actions, sometimes with stark, vivid imagery. Agur is painting a picture of a specific kind of destructive, greedy generation whose cruelty towards the vulnerable is so extreme that it's compared to a wild animal tearing its prey apart. The proverbs that follow will continue to explore different kinds of pride and deceitful actions.
This verse is part of Agur's collection of proverbs, which often describe various types of people and their actions, sometimes with stark, vivid imagery. Agur is painting a picture of a specific kind of destructive, greedy generation whose cruelty towards the vulnerable is so extreme that it's compared to a wild animal tearing its prey apart. The proverbs that follow will continue to explore different kinds of pride and deceitful actions.
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"There are those whose teeth are swords, whose fangs are knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, the needy from among mankind." — The vivid imagery of teeth like swords and jaw teeth like knives isn't just about being sharp; it paints a picture of consuming the vulnerable. This generation doesn't just hurt the poor; they seek…
