Proverbs 30:14
Proverbs 30:14 in Multiple Translations
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.
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.
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.
There is a generation whose teeth are like swords, their strong teeth like knives, for the destruction of the poor from the earth, and of those who are in need from among men.
There are some who have teeth like swords, incisors like knives, ready to devour the poor from the earth, the needy from society.
There is a generation, whose teeth are as swordes, and their chawes as kniues to eate vp the afflicted out of the earth, and the poore from among men.
A generation — swords [are] their teeth, And knives — their jaw-teeth, To consume the poor from earth, And the needy from [among] men.
There is a generation whose teeth are like swords, and their jaws like knives, to devour the poor from the earth, and the needy from among men.
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.
A generation, that for teeth hath swords, and grindeth with their jaw teeth, to devour the needy from off the earth, and the poor from among men.
Some people act very cruelly toward others; it is as though [MET] they have teeth that are like sharp knives; they severely oppress poor people and try to cause them to disappear from the land.
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 30:14
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Proverbs 30:14 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
דּ֤וֹר
חֲרָב֣וֹת
שִׁנָּי/ו֮
וּֽ/מַאֲכָל֪וֹת
מְֽתַלְּעֹ֫תָ֥י/ו
לֶ/אֱכֹ֣ל
עֲנִיִּ֣ים
מֵ/אֶ֑רֶץ
וְ֝/אֶבְיוֹנִ֗ים
מֵ/אָדָֽם
דּ֤וֹר
dôwr
H1755
generation
N-ms
חֲרָב֣וֹת
chereb
H2719
sword
N-fp
שִׁנָּי/ו֮
shên
H8127
tooth
N-cd | Suff
וּֽ/מַאֲכָל֪וֹת
maʼăkeleth
H3979
knife
Conj | N-fp
מְֽתַלְּעֹ֫תָ֥י/ו
mᵉthallᵉʻâh
H4973
jaw
N-fp | Suff
לֶ/אֱכֹ֣ל
ʼâkal
H398
to eat
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
עֲנִיִּ֣ים
ʻânîy
H6041
afflicted
Adj
מֵ/אֶ֑רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
land
Prep | N-cs
וְ֝/אֶבְיוֹנִ֗ים
ʼebyôwn
H34
needy
Conj | Adj
מֵ/אָדָֽם
ʼâdâm
H120
the man (Adam)
Prep | N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 30:14
דּ֤וֹר
dôwr
H1755
"generation"
N-ms
This word refers to a period of time or a generation of people. It is used in the Bible to describe a group of people living at the same time. In the book of Psalms, it describes a generation of people who follow God.
Definition: 1) period, generation, habitation, dwelling 1a) period, age, generation (period of time) 1b) generation (those living during a period) 1c) generation (characterised by quality, condition, class of men) 1d) dwelling-place, habitation Aramaic equivalent: dar (דָּר "generation" H1859)
Usage: Occurs in 127 OT verses. KJV: age, [idiom] evermore, generation, (n-) ever, posterity. See also: Genesis 6:9; Esther 9:28; Psalms 10:6.
חֲרָב֣וֹת
chereb
H2719
"sword"
N-fp
A sword or cutting instrument is what this Hebrew word refers to, including knives and tools for cutting stone. It is used in the Bible to describe weapons and sharp objects.
Definition: 1) sword, knife 1a) sword 1b) knife 1c) tools for cutting stone
Usage: Occurs in 372 OT verses. KJV: axe, dagger, knife, mattock, sword, tool. See also: Genesis 3:24; 2 Samuel 2:16; Psalms 7:13.
שִׁנָּי/ו֮
shên
H8127
"tooth"
N-cd | Suff
The Hebrew word for tooth can also mean ivory or a sharp cliff. It is used in the Bible to describe the teeth of humans and animals, as well as sharp rocks, and is often translated as tooth or ivory.
Definition: : tooth 1) tooth, ivory 1a) tooth 1a1) of man, lex talionis, beast 1b) tooth, tine (of fork) 1c) ivory 1c1) as material 1c2) of commerce 1d) sharp pointed rock
Usage: Occurs in 48 OT verses. KJV: crag, [idiom] forefront, ivory, [idiom] sharp, tooth. See also: Genesis 49:12; Psalms 57:5; Psalms 3:8.
וּֽ/מַאֲכָל֪וֹת
maʼăkeleth
H3979
"knife"
Conj | N-fp
In the Bible, this word means a knife, used for cutting or eating food, like in the story of Abraham preparing to sacrifice Isaac in Genesis. It's a simple tool for everyday life.
Definition: knife
Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: knife. See also: Genesis 22:6; Judges 19:29; Proverbs 30:14.
מְֽתַלְּעֹ֫תָ֥י/ו
mᵉthallᵉʻâh
H4973
"jaw"
N-fp | Suff
In the Bible, this word means 'jaw' or 'tooth', referring to the mouth or teeth, like in the book of Job when describing a lion's powerful jaws.
Definition: teeth, fangs, incisors Also means: mal.ta.ah (מַלְתָּעָה "tooth" H4459)
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: cheek (jaw) tooth, jaw. See also: Job 29:17; Proverbs 30:14; Joel 1:6.
לֶ/אֱכֹ֣ל
ʼâkal
H398
"to eat"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
This word means to eat or devour, and it's used in many stories, including when Jesus fed the 5000 with fish and bread in the book of Matthew. It's about taking in nourishment and being satisfied.
Definition: 1) to eat, devour, burn up, feed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to eat (human subject) 1a2) to eat, devour (of beasts and birds) 1a3) to devour, consume (of fire) 1a4) to devour, slay (of sword) 1a5) to devour, consume, destroy (inanimate subjects - ie, pestilence, drought) 1a6) to devour (of oppression) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be eaten (by men) 1b2) to be devoured, consumed (of fire) 1b3) to be wasted, destroyed (of flesh) 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to cause to eat, feed with 1c2) to cause to devour 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to feed 1d2) to cause to eat 1e) (Piel) 1e1) consume Aramaic equivalent: a.khal (אֲכַל "to devour" H0399)
Usage: Occurs in 703 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up), feed (with), food, [idiom] freely, [idiom] in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay) meat, [idiom] quite. See also: Genesis 2:16; Leviticus 6:9; Numbers 24:8.
עֲנִיִּ֣ים
ʻânîy
H6041
"afflicted"
Adj
This word describes someone who is depressed, humble, or weak, often due to difficult circumstances, as described in the Psalms and other biblical books.
Definition: 1) poor, afflicted, humble, wretched 1a) poor, needy 1b) poor and weak 1c) poor, weak, afflicted, wretched 1d) humble, lowly
Usage: Occurs in 77 OT verses. KJV: afflicted, humble, lowly, needy, poor. See also: Exodus 22:24; Psalms 88:16; Psalms 9:13.
מֵ/אֶ֑רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
"land"
Prep | N-cs
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.
וְ֝/אֶבְיוֹנִ֗ים
ʼebyôwn
H34
"needy"
Conj | Adj
This Hebrew word describes someone who is needy or poor, often oppressed and in need of help from God. It appears in the Bible to describe those who are vulnerable and in need of deliverance. In the KJV, it is translated as beggar, needy, or poor man.
Definition: 1) in want, needy, chiefly poor, needy person 2) subject to oppression and abuse 3) needing help, deliverance from trouble, especially as delivered by God 4) general reference to lowest class
Usage: Occurs in 58 OT verses. KJV: beggar, needy, poor (man). See also: Exodus 23:6; Psalms 107:41; Psalms 9:19.
מֵ/אָדָֽם
ʼâdâm
H120
"the man (Adam)"
Prep | N-ms
Adam was the first human, created by God and mentioned in Genesis 2:19, who married Eve and had sons including Cain, Abel, and Seth.
Definition: The first named man living at the time before the Flood, first mentioned at Gen.2.19; married to Eve (H2332); father of: Cain (H7014B), Abel (H1893) and Seth (H8352); also translated "man" at Gen.2.19,21,23; 3.8,9,20; 5.2; "mankind" at Deu.32.8; "others" at Job.31.33; Another spelling of a.dam (אָדָם "Adam" H0121) man, human being
Usage: Occurs in 526 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] another, [phrase] hypocrite, [phrase] common sort, [idiom] low, man (mean, of low degree), person. See also: Genesis 1:26; Judges 18:7; Psalms 8:5.
Study Notes — Proverbs 30:14
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 30:14 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 30:14
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 30:14
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 30:14
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 30:14
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 30:14
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 30:14
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 30:14
- Sermons on Proverbs 30:14
Context — The Words of Agur
12There is a generation of those who are pure in their own eyes and yet unwashed of their filth.
13There is a generation—how haughty are their eyes and pretentious are their glances—
14there is a generation whose teeth are swords and whose jaws are knives, devouring the oppressed from the earth and the needy from among men.
15The leech has two daughters: Give and Give. There are three things that are never satisfied, four that never say, ‘Enough!’: 16Sheol, the barren womb, land never satisfied with water, and fire that never says, ‘Enough!’Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 57:4 | 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. |
| 2 | Psalms 3:7 | Arise, O LORD! Save me, O my God! Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked. |
| 3 | Psalms 14:4 | Will the workers of iniquity never learn? They devour my people like bread; they refuse to call upon the LORD. |
| 4 | Job 29:17 | I shattered the fangs of the unjust and snatched the prey from his teeth. |
| 5 | Amos 8:4 | Hear this, you who trample the needy, who do away with the poor of the land, |
| 6 | Ecclesiastes 4:1 | 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. |
| 7 | Psalms 12:5 | “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.” |
| 8 | Revelation 9:8 | They had hair like that of women, and teeth like those of lions. |
| 9 | Psalms 58:6 | O God, shatter their teeth in their mouths; O LORD, tear out the fangs of the lions. |
| 10 | Micah 2:1–2 | Woe to those who devise iniquity and plot evil on their beds! At morning’s light they accomplish it because the power is in their hands. They covet fields and seize them; they take away houses. They deprive a man of his home, a fellow man of his inheritance. |
Proverbs 30:14 Summary
This verse is talking about a group of people who use their power to hurt and take advantage of those who are weaker. They are like predators, using their words and actions to attack and devour others. We can learn from this verse by being careful with our own words and actions, and making sure we are treating others with kindness and respect, just like Jesus taught us to love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:39). By doing so, we can create a more just and loving community, where everyone is valued and cared for.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of generation is being described in Proverbs 30:14?
This verse is describing a generation that is characterized by violence and oppression, using their power to exploit and harm the vulnerable, much like the wicked described in Psalm 10:8-10.
What does it mean for their teeth to be swords and their jaws to be knives?
This is a metaphorical expression meaning that they use their words and actions to cut down and devour others, similar to the way the tongue is described as a sharp sword in James 1:26.
Who are the oppressed and needy being devoured in this verse?
The oppressed and needy refer to those who are vulnerable and powerless, such as the poor, the widow, and the orphan, whom God commands us to care for and protect in Deuteronomy 10:18 and Jeremiah 22:3.
How can we apply this verse to our own lives?
We can apply this verse by examining our own hearts and actions, making sure we are not contributing to the oppression of others, and instead seeking to love and serve those in need, as commanded in Matthew 25:31-46.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I may be unintentionally contributing to the oppression of others, and how can I change my actions to be more loving and compassionate?
- How can I use my words and actions to build up and support those who are vulnerable, rather than tearing them down?
- What does it mean to 'devour' someone, and how can I make sure I am not using my words or actions to harm others?
- How can I pray for those who are being oppressed, and what can I do to practically support them?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 30:14
[There is] a generation whose teeth [are as] swords,.... As sharp as swords; like such the beasts of prey have; cruel, barbarous, and inhuman creatures; see Psalms 57:4; and their jaw teeth as
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 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.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 30:14
Extortioners, and cruel oppressors, who grind the faces of the poor.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 30:14
Proverbs 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.Ver. 14. There is a generation whose teeth, &c.] These are sycophants and greedy gripers, of whom before, often, in this book. In the year 1235, there were spread through England certain Roman usurers, called Caursini, quasi capientis ursi, devouring bears, quoth Paris, who had entangled the king, nobles, and all that had to do with them. These were called the "Pope’ s merchants." Speed.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 30:14
Verse 14. The fourth, The greedy, cruel, and oppressive, and, especially, oppressive to the poor.
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 30:14
14. Comp. Psalms 57:4.
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 30:14
11-14. The four classes here mentioned Agur assumes will at once be disapproved. To describe them is enough. They need no formal condemnation. Generation — Race, class. Doth not bless — Does not respect or speak well of.
Sermons on Proverbs 30:14
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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The Secret of Victory by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of fully dedicating oneself to God. He shares the story of a preacher who chose to retire and move away when he was diagnosed |
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My Heart Is Fixed by Hans R. Waldvogel | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the power of praising God and the importance of having a fixed heart. He shares a personal testimony of being healed through praising the Lo |
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Peace in the Midst of the Storm by David Guzik | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on Psalm 3, where David laments the increase of his enemies, including his own son Absalom. David is troubled by the lack of loyalty from those |
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Psalm 5 by Carl Armerding | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of prayer and devotion to God. He shares personal experiences and insights from his 60 years of knowing the Lord. The speaker |
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My Hope When Love Has Gone Dry by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of unity and love within the church community. He quotes Ecclesiastes 4:12, which states that two people standing together ar |
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When Someone Lets You Down by Jim Cymbala | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on his own experience of being deserted by his friends during a trial. He acknowledges that people can forsake you in difficult times, even tho |
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Calling on the Name of the Lord by Jim Cymbala | This sermon emphasizes the power and importance of calling on the name of the Lord in times of trouble and need. It recounts personal experiences and biblical principles that highl |