
Text -- Proverbs 30:24 (NET)




Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics



collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)
JFB -> Pro 30:24-31
JFB: Pro 30:24-31 - -- 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 (Pro 30:2...
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 (Pro 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 (Pro 30:30-31) provides similes for whatever is majestic or comely, uniting efficiency with gracefulness.
Clarke -> Pro 30:24
Clarke: Pro 30:24 - -- There 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
1. &...
There 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
1. 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 Pro 6:6 (note). The ants are a people; they have their houses, towns, cities, public roads, etc. I have seen several of these, both of the brown and large black ant
2. The rabbits act curiously enough in the construction of their burrows; but the word
3. The locusts. These surprising animals we have already met with and described. Though they have no leader, yet they go forth by troops, some miles in circumference, when they take wing
4. The spider. This is a singularly curious animal, both in the manner of constructing her house, her nets, and taking her prey. But the habits, etc., of these and such like must be sought in works on natural history.
TSK -> Pro 30:24

collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)
Barnes -> Pro 30:24
Barnes: Pro 30:24 - -- Exceeding wise - Some prefer the reading of the Septuagint and Vulgate: "wiser than the wise."The thought, in either case, turns upon the marve...
Exceeding 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.
Poole -> Pro 30:24
Poole: Pro 30:24 - -- Comparatively to other brute creatures. They act very wisely and providently, not from any reason which they have, but by the direction of Divine Pr...
Comparatively to other brute creatures. They act very wisely and providently, not from any reason which they have, but by the direction of Divine Providence, which secretly guides them to do those things for their own preservation which are most agreeable to the rules of wisdom. The design of this observation is either,
1. To commend wisdom to us, and to teach us to imitate the providence of these creatures, as we are provoked to imitate their diligence, Pro 6:6 . Or,
2. To keep us from being proudly conceited of our own wisdom, because we are either equalled or exceeded therein by the unreasonable creatures in the wise conduct of their affairs. Or,
3. To direct us to whom to resort for wisdom when we want and desire it, even to that God who is able to inspire wisdom even into the brute creatures.
Gill -> Pro 30:24
Gill: Pro 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 ex...
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" e 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" f; than even wise men; wise men may learn much from the least of creatures; see Job 12:7.

expand allCommentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes
NET Notes: Pro 30:24 The construction uses the Pual participle with the plural adjective as an intensive; these four creatures are the very embodiment of wisdom (BDB 314 s...
Geneva Bible -> Pro 30:24
Geneva Bible: Pro 30:24 There are four [things which are] little upon the earth, but they [are] very ( n ) wise:
( n ) They contain great doctrine and wisdom.

expand allCommentary -- Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis -> Pro 30:1-33
TSK Synopsis: Pro 30:1-33 - --1 Agur's confession of his faith.7 The two points of his prayer.10 The meanest are not to be wronged.11 Four wicked generations.15 Four things insatia...
MHCC -> Pro 30:24-28
MHCC: Pro 30:24-28 - --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 anot...
Matthew Henry -> Pro 30:24-28
Matthew Henry: Pro 30:24-28 - -- I. Agur, having specified four things that seem great and yet are really contemptible, here specifies four things that are little and yet are very a...
Keil-Delitzsch -> Pro 30:24-28
Keil-Delitzsch: Pro 30:24-28 - --
Another proverb with the cipher 4, its first line terminating in ארץ :
24 Four are the little things of the earth,
And yet they are quick of w...
Constable: Pro 30:1--31:31 - --V. TWO DISCOURSES BY OTHER WISE MEN chs. 30--31
Chapters 30 and 31 form a distinct section in Proverbs because n...

Constable: Pro 30:1-33 - --A. The Wisdom of Agur ch. 30
The most distinctive features of Agur's proverbs are his numerical style of...
