Proverbs 30:24

24 There are four small creatures, wisest of the wise they are -

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 when the janitor becomes the boss, when a fool gets rich,

23 when a whore is voted "woman of the year," when a "girlfriend" replaces a faithful wife. Four Small Wonders

24 There are four small creatures, wisest of the wise they are -

25 ants - frail as they are, get plenty of food in for the winter;

26 marmots - vulnerable as they are, manage to arrange for rock-solid homes;