Proverbs 30:24

24 Four [are] little ones of earth, And they are made wiser than the 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 For a servant when he reigneth, And a fool when he is satisfied with bread,

23 For a hated one when she ruleth, And a maid-servant when she succeedeth her mistress.

24 Four [are] little ones of earth, And they are made wiser than the wise:

25 The ants [are] a people not strong, And they prepare in summer their food,

26 Conies [are] a people not strong, And they place in a rock their house,