Proverbs 30:24

24 quattuor sunt minima terrae et ipsa sunt sapientiora sapientibus

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 ) .


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 per servum cum regnaverit per stultum cum saturatus fuerit cibo
23 per odiosam mulierem cum in matrimonio fuerit adsumpta et per ancillam cum heres fuerit dominae suae
24 quattuor sunt minima terrae et ipsa sunt sapientiora sapientibus
25 formicae populus infirmus quae praeparant in messe cibum sibi
26 lepusculus plebs invalida quae conlocat in petra cubile suum
The Latin Vulgate is in the public domain.