Proverbs 30:24

24 Four things on earth are small, yet they are exceedingly 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 ) .

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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 a servant who becomes king, a fool who is filled with food,

23 an unloved woman who marries, and a maidservant who supplants her mistress.

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

25 The ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer;

26 the rock badgers are creatures of little power, yet they make their homes in the rocks;