משלי, פרק ל׳, פסוק ט״ז

Certain forces in the world are driven by a constant, insatiable hunger. Four specific phenomena act as symbols of endless taking, naturally dividing into two distinct pairs: the human cycle of life and death, and the physical elements of nature [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The first force is the underworld, representing the physical grave that endlessly swallows the dead, regardless of whether they are old or young [אלשיך, מצודת דוד]. On a spiritual level, this represents Hell, serving as a place of punishment for a sinful, cursing generation that meets a premature end [אבן עזרא, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

Paired with the grave is the concept of a closed womb, reflecting a state of barrenness [מצודת ציון, מצודת דוד, אלשיך]. This lack of satisfaction manifests as a woman's intense, unyielding longing for a child [ביאור שטיינזלץ, עמנואל הרומי], or as a constant desire for physical intimacy [רש״י]. While some view this barrenness as a punishment from God for impurity and immorality [אבן עזרא], an alternative interpretation understands the concept quite differently. Instead of a physical condition, it describes the destructive and insatiable dominance of corrupt women [מלבי״ם].

Moving from the human experience to the physical world, the focus shifts to the earth, which endlessly absorbs water without ever being filled [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This natural absorption takes on a moral dimension when viewed as a punishment through drought. The withholding of rain is meant to humble the proud, bring hardship upon people, and ultimately cause them to look up to heaven in repentance [אבן עזרא, אלשיך, מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם].

The final force is fire, which never declares that it has had enough [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. It continuously burns and consumes whatever is in its path. Many commentators identify this with the eternal fire of Hell, which is never satisfied with the sinners it consumes [אלשיך, מצודת דוד]. Alternatively, it represents a destructive fire from heaven or a scorching heat sent by God to punish those who oppress the poor and to lay waste to cities [אבן עזרא, מלבי״ם].

Alongside these moral and punitive explanations, a philosophical and scientific perspective views these four concepts as a description of nature's continuous cycles. In this light, the underworld and the closed womb symbolize the endless loop of destruction and creation, where decay constantly feeds new life. Similarly, the earth and fire represent the foundational elements of nature locked in an eternal process of transformation and merging. Just as water evaporates or air turns into fire, these elements remain in a perpetual, never-ending state of change [עמנואל הרומי, אמרי דעת].