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Proverbs 30:14

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there is a generation whose teeth are swords and whose jaws are knives, devouring the oppressed from the earth and the needy from among men.

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Commentaries

Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.

Matthew Henry Bible Commentaryv. 14

This and the following chapter are an appendix to Solomon's proverbs; but they are both expressly called prophecies in the first verses of both, by which it appears that the penmen of them, whoever they were, were divinely inspired. This chapter was penned by one that bears the name of "Agur Ben Jakeh." What tribe he was of, or when he lived, we are not told; what he wrote, being indited by the Holy Ghost, is here kept upon record. We have here, I. His confession of faith (Pro 30:1-6). II. His prayer (Pro 30:7-9). III. A caution against wronging servants (Pro 30:10). IV. Four wicked generations (Pro 30:11-14). V. Four things insatiable (Pro 30:15, Pro 30:16), to which is added fair warning to undutiful children (Pro 30:17). VI. Four things unsearchable (Pro 30:18-20). VII. Four things intolerable (Pro 30:21-23). VIII. Four things little and wise (Pro 30:24-28). IX. Four things stately (Pro 30:29 to the end).

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Original language

The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).

Strong's Concordancev. 14

דּוֹר (dôwr, H1755) — properly, a revolution of time, i.e. an age or generation; also a dwelling שֵׁן (shên, H8127) — a tooth (as sharp); specifically ivory; figuratively, a cliff חֶרֶב (chereb, H2719) — drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or… מְתַלְּעָה (mᵉthallᵉʻâh, H4973) — properly, a biter, i.e. a tooth מַאֲכֶלֶת (maʼăkeleth, H3979) — something to eat with,i.e. a knife אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively) עָנִי (ʻânîy, H6041) — depressed, in mind or circumstances אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) אֶבְיוֹן (ʼebyôwn, H34) — destitute אָדָם (ʼâdâm, H120) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

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Cross-references

Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.

Psalms 57:4rank 12

My soul is among the lions; I lie down with ravenous beasts— with men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.

Psalms 3:7rank 11

Arise, O LORD! Save me, O my God! Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked.

Psalms 14:4rank 7

Will the workers of iniquity never learn? They devour my people like bread; they refuse to call upon the LORD.

Job 29:17rank 6

I shattered the fangs of the unjust and snatched the prey from his teeth.

Psalms 58:6rank 4

O God, shatter their teeth in their mouths; O LORD, tear out the fangs of the lions.

Amos 8:4rank 4

Hear this, you who trample the needy, who do away with the poor of the land,

Ecclesiastes 4:1rank 4

Again I looked, and I considered all the oppression taking place under the sun. I saw the tears of the oppressed, and they had no comforter; the power lay in the hands of their oppressors, and there was no comforter.

Psalms 12:5rank 4

“For the cause of the oppressed and for the groaning of the needy, I will now arise,” says the LORD. “I will bring safety to him who yearns.”

Revelation of John 9:8rank 4

They had hair like that of women, and teeth like those of lions.

Habakkuk 3:14rank 2

With his own spear You pierced his head, when his warriors stormed out to scatter us, gloating as though ready to secretly devour the weak.

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