English Standard Version
Proverbs 30:24
24Four things on earth are small, but they are exceedingly wise:
Proverbs 30:24 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise:
- New International Version (NIV)“Four things on earth are small, yet they are extremely wise:
- New King James Version (NKJV)There are four things which are little on the earth, But they are exceedingly wise:
- New Living Translation (NLT)There are four things on earth that are small but unusually wise:
Context of Proverbs 30:24
22a slave when he becomes king, and a fool when he is filled with food; 23an unloved woman when she gets a husband, and a maidservant when she displaces her mistress. Four things on earth are small, but they are exceedingly wise: 25the ants are a people not strong, yet they provide their food in the summer; 26the rock badgers are a people not mighty, yet they make their homes in the cliffs;
Read all of Proverbs 30Proverbs 30:24 word by word
אַרְבָּ֣עָה הֵ֭ם קְטַנֵּי־אָ֑רֶץ וְ֝הֵ֗מָּה חֲכָמִ֥ים מְחֻכָּמִֽים׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 30:24
Commentaries on Proverbs 30:24
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 24There be four things - Of which it is said, they are very little but very wise. 1. The ants. 2. The rabbits. 3. The locusts. 4. The spider. The ants show their wisdom by preparing their meat in the summer, seeking for it and storing it when it may be had; not for winter consumption, for they sleep all that time; but for autumn and spring. See the note on Proverbs 6:6; (note). The ants are a people; they have their houses, towns, cities, public roads, etc…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 24Exceeding wise - Some prefer the reading of the Septuagint and Vulgate: “wiser than the wise.” The thought, in either case, turns upon the marvels of instinct, which, in their own province, transcend the more elaborate results of human wisdom.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 24-28Verses 24-28 Four things that are little, are yet to be admired. There are those who are poor in the world, and of small account, yet wise for their souls and another world.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 24-28Here is another example of number parallelism: small, seemingly insignificant animals can be surprisingly powerful and resourceful.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 24-3124-31. These verses provide two classes of apt illustrations of various aspects of the moral world, which the reader is left to apply. By the first (Pr 30:25-28), diligence and providence are commended; the success of these insignificant animals being due to their instinctive sagacity and activity, rather than strength. The other class (Pr 30:30, 31) provides similes for whatever is majestic or comely, uniting efficiency with gracefulness.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 30:24
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 30
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries