Proverbs 30:24

24 There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise:

Proverbs 30:24 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 30:24

There be four [things which are] little upon the earth
Small in bulk, that have little bodies, are the lesser sort of animals; but they [are] exceeding wise;
show a great deal of art and wisdom in what they do; or "but they are wise, made wise" ^F5 by the instinct of nature, by the direction of Providence, by which they do things that are surprising. Some versions, that have no regard to the points, read the words, "but their are wiser than the wise" ^F6; than even wise men; wise men may learn much from the least of creatures; see ( Job 12:7 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F5 (Mymkxm Mymkx) "sapientia, sapientia imbuta"; Heb. "sapientificata", Piscator, Gejerus.
F6 "Sapientiora sapientibus", so Sept. V. L. Arabic and Syriac versions; "sapientia superant, vel prudentissimos", Tigurine version.

Proverbs 30:24 In-Context

22 For a servant when he reigneth ; and a fool when he is filled with meat;

23 For an odious woman when she is married ; and an handmaid that is heir to her mistress.

24 There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise:

25 The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer;

26 The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks;

Footnotes

• [a]. exceeding...: Heb. wise, made wise