John Gill Commentary Proverbs 30:24

"There are four things which are little upon the earth, But they are exceeding wise:" — Proverbs 30:24 (ASV)

There are 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 they 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.