Proverbs 30:24

24 There are four very little things of the earth, and they 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 By a slave when he reigneth: by a fool when be is filled with meat:

23 By an odious woman when she is married: and by a bondwoman when she is heir to her mistress.

24 There are four very little things of the earth, and they are wiser than the wise.

25 The ants, a feeble people, which provide themselves food in the harvest:

26 The rabbit, a weak people, which maketh its bed in the rock: