Proverbs 30:27

27 The third are locusts. They don't have a king. But they all march forward in ranks.

Proverbs 30:27 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 30:27

The locusts have no king
These are small creatures also, yet very devouring ones; and consume the fruits of the earth, wherever they come and light; see ( Exodus 10:13-15 ) ; they are very numerous, and move in large bodies, and yet with great regularity and order; which shows the wisdom there is in them by natural instinct, though they have no king to command, guide, and direct them: in this the mystical locusts differ from them, who have a king, whose name is Abaddon, ( Revelation 9:11 ) ; yet they go forth all of them by bands;
the Targum is,

``they are all gathered together as one.''
They get together in one place; they associate and join themselves in bands, and keep together, though they have no ruler over them; an emblem of unity, concord, and harmony, let the form of government be what it will, as the best security to a people: and these creatures, when they move from place to place, they move in a body, in a very regular manner; "in precise order" F21, as the words may be rendered, with great exactness, everyone in his proper place, all in rank and file; and though they have no general to marshal them, yet are in, and march in as good order as the most regular army does. So the Arabic version,
``yet in their army, their affairs and manner are in a beautiful disposition;''
indeed they are God's army, as they are called, ( Joel 2:25 ) ; and it is he that gives them their wisdom, instructions, directions, and commission. It is rendered by some, "everyone cutting"; that is, as Kimchi F23 interprets it, cutting the green grass and trees; or, "every one dividing" F24; that is, to himself, the prey or spoils, as kings do; see ( Isaiah 33:4 ) .
FOOTNOTES:

F21 Vid. Hilier. Onomastic. Sacr. p. 187.
F23 Sepher Shorash. rad. (Uux) ; so Stockius, p. 377. "exeidens omnia, herbas, scil. et fruges", Schindler. col. 633. so Ben Melech.
F24 (wlk Uux) "unaquaeque sibi dividens", Bochart; so Schultens.

Proverbs 30:27 In-Context

25 The first are ants. They aren't very strong. But they store up their food in the summer.
26 The second are rock badgers. They aren't very powerful. But they make their home among the rocks.
27 The third are locusts. They don't have a king. But they all march forward in ranks.
28 And the fourth are lizards. Your hand can catch them. But you will find them in kings' palaces.
29 "Three things walk as if they were kings. Four things move as kings do.
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