Proverbs 30:14 - Exposition

A generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives. The fourth evil is insatiable cupidity, which leads to oppression and injurious treatment of the helpless and poor, which makes men as cruel and remorseless in destroying others and despoiling them of their substance, as the very steel which they use in their operations. Similarly, the psalmist speaks of his enemies as men "whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword" ( Psalms 57:4 ; comp. Isaiah 9:12 ; Jeremiah 5:17 ). To devour the poor from off the earth; i . e . so as to be no more seen in the world. Amos 8:4 , "Hear this, O ye that would swallow up the needy, and cause the poor of the land to fail" (comp. Psalms 14:4 ).