Bible Strands
Proverbs 30:24
Four things on earth are small, yet they are exceedingly wise:
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Agur addresses his audience within a wisdom collection, positioning this statement between a social inversion in Proverbs 30:23 and the first of four observed creatures in Proverbs 30:25.
The words — קְטַנֵּי־ (qetannei) literally means "small things," while מְחֻכָּמִים (mechukkamim) translates as "made wise" or "exceedingly wise," establishing the verse's structural contrast.
The thread — The directive to derive instruction from creation appears in Job 12:7, where the text commands readers to ask animals and birds for teaching.
Why it lands — The text states that earthbound creatures of little size possess notable wisdom and commands the reader to observe them. It requires the reader to extract practical insight from overlooked natural phenomena rather than dismissing them.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise:
Cross-references
- Job 12:7 But ask the animals, and they will instruct you; ask the birds of the air, and they will tell you.