Proverbs 30:24

24 “Four things on earth are small, yet they are extremely wise:

Proverbs 30:24 in Other Translations

KJV
24 There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise:
ESV
24 Four things on earth are small, but they are exceedingly wise:
NLT
24 There are four things on earth that are small but unusually wise:
MSG
24 There are four small creatures, wisest of the wise they are -
CSB
24 Four things on earth are small, yet they are extremely 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 ) .


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 a servant who becomes king, a godless fool who gets plenty to eat,
23 a contemptible woman who gets married, and a servant who displaces her mistress.
24 “Four things on earth are small, yet they are extremely wise:
25 Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer;
26 hyraxes are creatures of little power, yet they make their home in the crags;
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