Proverbs 30:24

24 Four things are among the smallest on earth, but 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 ) .

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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 at a servant when he becomes king and fools when they are full of food;

23 at a detested woman when she gets married and a female servant when she replaces her mistress.

24 Four things are among the smallest on earth, but they are extremely wise:

25 Ants as creatures aren't strong, but they store away their food in the summer.

26 Badgers as creatures aren't powerful, but they make their homes in the rocks.