Mishle 30:24

24 There are four things which are little upon eretz, but they are exceeding chachamim:

Mishle 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 ) .

---

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.

Mishle 30:24 In-Context

22 For an eved (slave) when he reigneth; and a naval (fool) when he is full with lechem;

23 For an unloved woman when she is married; and a shifchah that displaces her gevirah (lady, mistress).

24 There are four things which are little upon eretz, but they are exceeding chachamim:

25 The nemalim (ants) are an am (people) not strong, yet they store up their lechem in the kayitz (summer);

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