Proverbs 30:27

27 Locusts: they have no king, but they move in formation.

Proverbs 30:27 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 30:27

The locusts have no king
These are small creatures also, yet very devouring ones; and consume the fruits of the earth, wherever they come and light; see ( Exodus 10:13-15 ) ; they are very numerous, and move in large bodies, and yet with great regularity and order; which shows the wisdom there is in them by natural instinct, though they have no king to command, guide, and direct them: in this the mystical locusts differ from them, who have a king, whose name is Abaddon, ( Revelation 9:11 ) ; yet they go forth all of them by bands;
the Targum is,

``they are all gathered together as one.''

They get together in one place; they associate and join themselves in bands, and keep together, though they have no ruler over them; an emblem of unity, concord, and harmony, let the form of government be what it will, as the best security to a people: and these creatures, when they move from place to place, they move in a body, in a very regular manner; "in precise order" ^F21, as the words may be rendered, with great exactness, everyone in his proper place, all in rank and file; and though they have no general to marshal them, yet are in, and march in as good order as the most regular army does. So the Arabic version,

``yet in their army, their affairs and manner are in a beautiful disposition;''

indeed they are God's army, as they are called, ( Joel 2:25 ) ; and it is he that gives them their wisdom, instructions, directions, and commission. It is rendered by some, "everyone cutting"; that is, as Kimchi ^F23 interprets it, cutting the green grass and trees; or, "every one dividing" ^F24; that is, to himself, the prey or spoils, as kings do; see ( Isaiah 33:4 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F21 Vid. Hilier. Onomastic. Sacr. p. 187.
F23 Sepher Shorash. rad. (Uux) ; so Stockius, p. 377. "exeidens omnia, herbas, scil. et fruges", Schindler. col. 633. so Ben Melech.
F24 (wlk Uux) "unaquaeque sibi dividens", Bochart; so Schultens.

Proverbs 30:27 In-Context

25 Ants: they are weak, but they store up their food in the summer.

26 Rock badgers: they are not strong either, but they make their homes among the rocks.

27 Locusts: they have no king, but they move in formation.

28 Lizards: you can hold one in your hand, but you can find them in palaces.

29 There are four things that are impressive to watch as they walk: