מְתַלְּעוֹת (me.tal.l.ah)
me.tal.l.ah
jaw
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The noun metalleot refers to teeth, specifically highlighting their function as tools for biting or crushing. In the Hebrew Bible, this plural form often appears in contexts where the physical power of the mouth is emphasized, such as when describing the strength of wild animals or the severity of judgment. It is distinct from more general terms for tooth, focusing instead on the active use of these structures.
This word occurs only three times in Scripture, appearing in Proverbs 30:15, Joel 1:6, and Job 41:15. In Proverbs, it describes the leech’s insatiable demand, while in Joel, it illustrates the devastating impact of a locust plague that strips the land bare. The imagery is visceral, connecting the word to themes of consumption, destruction, or relentless appetite rather than simple mastication.
Translators typically render metalleot as "teeth" or "fangs," depending on whether the subject is human or beast. The choice reflects the context’s intensity: fangs suggest predatory threat, while teeth imply grinding force. This lexical precision allows readers to grasp the specific nature of the action described, whether it be the sharp bite of a creature or the crushing pressure of divine discipline.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word for teeth here carries a heavy weight, pointing to raw power rather than simple chewing. In the Bible, these structures often symbolize the capacity to consume or destroy. When we see this imagery, it reminds us that words and actions can have sharp, lasting effects on others.
Consider how Proverbs 30:14 describes a generation whose jaws are like knives. This vivid picture warns against greed and cruelty. It invites us to examine our own speech and behavior, ensuring they do not become tools that harm the vulnerable or strip away dignity from those around us.
Yet this word also appears in Job 29:17, where the speaker recalls breaking the jaws of the unrighteous. Here, it signifies deliverance and protection for the oppressed. This duality shows that power itself is neutral; it becomes a blessing when used to defend justice and a curse when wielded for selfish gain.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- jaw bones/ its1×
- and/ [the] fangs of1×
- [the] jaws of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מְתַלְּע֣וֹת1×
- מְֽתַלְּעֹ֫תָ֥י/ו1×
- וּֽ/מְתַלְּע֥וֹת1×
Key Verses
-
Proverbs 30:14
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.
This verse uses the word to depict predatory greed, comparing sharp jaws to knives that devour the poor.
-
Job 29:17
I broke the jaws of the unrighteous and plucked the prey out of his teeth.
Here the term appears in a memory of justice, where breaking the jaws represents stopping an oppressor from harming others.
-
Joel 1:6
For a nation has come up on my land, strong, and without number. His teeth are the teeth of a lion, and he has the fangs of a lioness.
The prophet uses this imagery to describe a locust plague, comparing the insects' teeth to those of a lion to show total devastation.