Proverbs 30:24

24 And four very little things upon the earth, but these are 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 ) .

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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 if a servant reign; or a fool be filled with food;

23 or if a maid-servant should cast out her own mistress; and if a hateful woman should marry a good man.

24 And four very little things upon the earth, but these are wiser than the wise:

25 the ants which are weak, and prepare food in summer;

26 the rabbits also a feeble race, who make their houses in the rocks.