transp. for מְתַלְּעָה; a grinder, i.e. back tooth; great tooth.
Transliteration:maltâʻâh
Pronunciation:mal-taw-aw'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term מַלְתָּעָה (maltâʻâh), Strong's number `{{H4459}}`, refers primarily to a "grinder" or "back tooth," often translated as "fang" or "great tooth." The base definition indicates it is a transposition or variant of מְתַלְּעָה (methall'ah), suggesting a close semantic and phonetic relationship. This implies a tooth specifically designed for powerful actions: tearing, grinding, or crushing. Unlike a general tooth (שֵׁן, shen, `{{H8127}}`), מַלְתָּעָה denotes a prominent, strong, and often predatory tooth, such as a molar or a canine, capable of inflicting significant damage or processing tough food. Its semantic range is narrow, consistently pointing to the instrument of powerful mastication or aggressive tearing.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term מַלְתָּעָה (maltâʻâh) appears twice in the Hebrew Bible, both times in poetic and metaphorical contexts, emphasizing its role as an instrument of power and destruction.
1. **[[Job 29:17]]**: "And I broke the fangs of the unrighteous, and made him drop his prey from between his teeth." In this lament, Job recalls his former status as a righteous judge. The "fangs" (מַלְתָּעָה) here symbolize the predatory power and oppressive capability of the wicked. By "breaking their fangs," Job asserts his role in disarming the unjust, preventing them from devouring or exploiting the vulnerable. The imagery evokes a powerful animal, like a lion, whose primary weapon is its teeth, and whose power is neutralized when those teeth are broken. This highlights Job's past capacity to deliver the oppressed from their oppressors.
2. **[[Psalm 58:6]]**: "O God, break the teeth in their mouths; tear out the fangs of the young lions, O LORD!" Here, the psalmist appeals to God for divine judgment against the wicked, who are likened to "young lions" for their aggressive and destructive nature. The "fangs" (מַלְתָּעָה) again represent their instruments of harm, their capacity to inflict violence and injustice. The prayer is a plea for God to intervene decisively, stripping the wicked of their power and rendering them harmless, much like disarming a predatory beast.
In both instances, מַלְתָּעָה is used metaphorically to represent the destructive power of the wicked or oppressors, and its breaking or removal signifies divine intervention and judgment that neutralizes their capacity for harm.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is מְתַלְּעָה (methall'ah), which `{{H4459}}` is noted as a transposition of. While מְתַלְּעָה itself is rare, its connection reinforces the specific meaning of a powerful, grinding, or tearing tooth.
Broader concepts related to מַלְתָּעָה include:
* **Teeth as Symbols of Power/Aggression**: In biblical literature, teeth often symbolize strength, aggression, and the capacity to devour or destroy. For example, "gnashing of teeth" signifies rage or torment. The general Hebrew word for tooth is שֵׁן (shen, `{{H8127}}`), but מַלְתָּעָה specifies a particularly formidable tooth.
* **Predatory Imagery**: The use of "fangs" evokes predatory animals like lions (as in [[Psalm 58:6]]), whose teeth are their primary weapons. This imagery underscores the dangerous and destructive nature of the wicked.
* **Divine Disarmament**: The act of "breaking" or "tearing out" these teeth is a consistent motif, symbolizing God's sovereign power to disarm the wicked, remove their instruments of oppression, and render them impotent. This relates to concepts of divine justice and deliverance.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of מַלְתָּעָה lies in its consistent use within the context of divine justice and the protection of the righteous.
1. **God's Sovereignty Over Evil**: The imagery of God breaking the "fangs" of the wicked powerfully illustrates His ultimate authority over all forms of evil and oppression. No matter how formidable or predatory the wicked may seem, God possesses the power to strip them of their instruments of harm and render them powerless.
2. **Divine Retribution and Deliverance**: The prayer in [[Psalm 58:6]] and Job's past actions in [[Job 29:17]] reflect a deep trust in God's active intervention on behalf of the oppressed. The breaking of these "great teeth" is a metaphor for God's righteous judgment, which not only punishes the wicked but also delivers the vulnerable from their grasp. It signifies the restoration of order and justice.
3. **The Nature of Wickedness**: By likening the wicked to predatory beasts whose power resides in their "fangs," the text highlights the destructive, devouring, and harmful nature of sin and injustice. It underscores the severity of their actions and the necessity of divine intervention to curb their malevolence.
### Summary
מַלְתָּעָה (maltâʻâh, `{{H4459}}`) denotes a "grinder" or "great tooth," specifically a powerful, often predatory tooth or fang. Its two occurrences in [[Job 29:17]] and [[Psalm 58:6]] consistently employ it metaphorically to represent the destructive power and oppressive capacity of the wicked. In both contexts, the "breaking" or "tearing out" of these fangs signifies divine judgment, God's sovereign ability to disarm the wicked, and His intervention to deliver the righteous from harm. The term thus powerfully illustrates the destructive nature of sin and the ultimate triumph of divine justice over all forms of oppression.
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