Proverbs 30:24

24 There [are] four small things on the earth, and 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 under a slave when he becomes king, and a fool when he is satisfied [with] food;

23 under an unloved woman when she gets married, and a maid when she succeeds her mistress.

24 There [are] four small things on the earth, and they [are] {exceedingly wise}:

25 The ants [are] a people [who are] not strong, yet they prepare their food in the summer;

26 the badgers [are] a people [who are] not mighty, yet they set their house on the rock;

Footnotes

• [a]. Literally "wise [ones] from wise [ones]"