Proverbs 30:14

Proverbs 30:14 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)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.
• New International Version (NIV)those whose teeth are swords and whose jaws are set with knives to devour the poor from the earth and the needy from among mankind.
• English Standard Version (ESV)There are those whose teeth are swords, whose fangs are knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, the needy from among mankind.
• New King James Version (NKJV)There is a generation whose teeth are like swords, And whose fangs are like knives, To devour the poor from off the earth, And the needy from among men.

Context of Proverbs 30:14

12There is a generation that is pure in its own eyes, and yet is not cleansed from its filth. 13There is a generation whose eyes are so haughty, whose eyelids are lifted up disdainfully. There is a generation whose teeth are swords and whose molars are knives, to devour the poor from the earth and the needy from among humanity. 15The leech has two daughters: “Give! Give!” Three things are never satisfied, four never say, “Enough!”— 16Sheol, a barren womb, land that is not satisfied with water, and fire that never says, “Enough!”

Proverbs 30:14 word by word

דּ֤וֹר׀ חֲרָב֣וֹת שִׁנָּיו֮ וּֽמַאֲכָל֪וֹת מְֽתַלְּעֹ֫תָ֥יו לֶאֱכֹ֣ל עֲנִיִּ֣ים מֵאֶ֑רֶץ וְ֝אֶבְיוֹנִ֗ים מֵאָדָֽם׃ פRead the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• a generationדּוֹרdôr dôr · generationH1755
• whose teethשֵׁןshên · toothH8127
• swordsחֶ֫רֶבchereb · swordH2719
• and their jaw teethמְתַלְּעוֹתmethalle‛âh · jawH4973
• knivesמַאֲכֶ֫לֶתma'ăkeleth · knifeH3979
• to devourאָכַל'âkal · to eatH398
• the poorעָנִי‛ânîy · afflictedH6041
• from off the earthאֶ֫רֶץ'erets · land: country/planetH776
• and the needyאֶבְיוֹן'ebyôn · needyH34
• menאָדָם'âdâm · manH120

Cross-references for Proverbs 30:14

• Proverbs 12:18Reckless speech is like the thrusts of a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
• Job 29:17I broke the jaws of the unjust, and snatched the prey out of his teeth.
• Psalms 3:7I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people all around who have taken their stand against me.
• Psalms 52:2when Doeg the Edomite came and reported to Saul telling him, “David went to Ahimelech’s house.”
• Psalms 57:4He will send from heaven and save me. He rebukes the one trampling on me. Selah God is sending His mercy and His truth.
• Psalms 58:6not hearing the voice of charmers, or a cunning spell binder.
• Daniel 7:5“And behold there before me was another beast, a second one, like a bear. It raised itself up on one side; it had three ribs in its mouth between its teeth. It was told, ‘Arise, devour much flesh!’
• Revelation 9:8They had hair like women’s hair, and their teeth were like those of lions.
• Proverbs 22:16The one who oppresses the poor to increase his own gain, and the one who gives to the rich— both end in poverty.
• Proverbs 28:3A poor man who oppresses the weak is like pounding rain without food.
• Psalms 10:8He lies in ambush near villages. In hidden places he slays the innocent. His eyes watch in secret for the helpless.
• Psalms 12:5They say: “With our tongue we’ll prevail. We own our lips—who can master us?”
• Psalms 14:4“Will evildoers never understand— those who consume My people as they eat bread— and never call on Adonai?”
• Ecclesiastes 4:1Again I looked and saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun, and behold, I saw the tears of the oppressed, but they have no comforter. Power is in the hand of their oppressors, but they had no comforter.
• Isaiah 32:7The scoundrel’s methods are evil— he makes up wicked schemes to destroy the poor with lies, even when the plea of the needy is just.
• Amos 2:7They trample the head of the poor into the dust of the earth and thwart the way of the humble. A man and his father go to the same girl, to profane My holy Name.

Commentaries on Proverbs 30:14

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 14The fourth, The greedy, cruel, and oppressive, and, especially, oppressive to the poor.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 11-14Verses 11-14 In every age there are monsters of ingratitude who ill-treat their parents. Many persuade themselves they are holy persons, whose hearts are full of sin, and who practise secret wickedness. There are others whose lofty pride is manifest. There have also been cruel monsters in every age.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 11-14These verses describe traits that wise people dislike. Fools: Disrespect their parents (Proverbs 10:1; 20:20; Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:16) Deceive themselves (Proverbs 8:7) Think they are clean when they are not (Proverbs 20:9) Are proud (Proverbs 6:17–18; 11:2; 13:10; 15:33; 16:18; 18:12; 19:20; 29:23) Hurt others with their words (teeth like swords, see Proverbs 25:18) Harm the poor (Proverbs 3:27; 11:24; 28:27; 29:7, 14)Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 11-1411-14. Four kinds of hateful persons--(1) graceless children, (2) hypocrites, (3) the proud, (4) cruel oppressors (compare on Pr 30:14; Psa 14:4; 52:2)--are now illustrated; (1) Pr 30:15, 16, the insatiability of prodigal children and their fate; (2) Pr 30:17, hypocrisy, or the concealment of real character; (3 and 4) Pr 30:18-20, various examples of pride and oppression.Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 30:14

• Malice
• Oppression
• Poor

In the dictionaries

• Agur
• Convenient
• Folk
• Food
• Knife
• Jaw; Jawbone; Jaw Teeth
• Massa
• Proverbs, the Book of
• Zoology

Commentaries on Proverbs 30

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings