Proverbs 30:15-23
Summary for Prov 30:15-16: 30:15-16 a The number parallelism (three ... no, four) is a device for presenting a list of poetic examples. This list shows powers that are insatiable and often dangerous. See also 30:18-19 b, 21-23 c, 29-31 d.• The grave, which stands for death itself, never seems to have enough—people keep dying (27:20 e).
• barren womb: Women who are unable to have children often long to have them, like Sarah until she gave birth to Isaac, Rebekah until the birth of Esau and Jacob, and Hannah until the birth of Samuel.
• The thirsty desert and a fire consume anything in their path.
30:17 f People who are callous toward their parents will meet a violent end (see 10:1 g; 19:26 h; 28:24 i; 29:3 j; 30:11 k).
Summary for Prov 30:18-19: 30:18-19 l The writer stands amazed at how one thing moves on another.
30:20 m The writer expresses horror at sex outside of marriage.
Summary for Prov 30:21-23: 30:21-23 n This proverb lists four things that make the earth tremble because they overturn the order of things.
• who prospers (literally who is full of bread): In the ancient Near East as in much of the non-industrialized world today, having adequate food (bread) was a sign of prosperity.
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