Proverbs 30:25 — Word Study
WLCהַ֭נְּמָלִים עַ֣ם לֹא־ עָ֑ז וַיָּכִ֖ינוּ בַקַּ֣יִץ לַחְמָֽם׃
BSAThe antsnᵉmâlâh [a people not strong, feeble] are creaturesʻam of littlelôʼ [not strong, lacking] strengthʻaz yet they store upkûwn▸ [prepare, provide] their foodlechem [meat, provisions] in the summerqayits [harvest season, the fruit of that season]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| הַ֭נְּמָלִים | the ants | Particle, noun common masculine plural absolute |
| עַ֣ם | [are] a people | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| לֹא־ | not | Particle |
| עָ֑ז | strong | Adj |
| וַיָּכִ֖ינוּ | and they prepared | Verb, Hiphil, sequential imperfect third person masculine plural |
| בַקַּ֣יִץ | in the summer | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| לַחְמָֽם׃ | food their | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | The ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer; |
| KJV | The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer; |
| ASV | The ants are a people not strong, Yet they provide their food in the summer; |
| YLT | The ants [are] a people not strong, And they prepare in summer their food, |
| WEB | The ants are not a strong people, yet they provide their food in the summer. |
| BBE | The ants are a people not strong, but they put by a store of food in the summer; |
Translations agree on the depiction of the ants as weak yet wise, emphasizing their diligence in storing food.
The main clause introduces the subject and its characteristic, followed by subordinate clauses that describe their actions and conditions.
7 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbכּוּן
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Proverbs 30:25
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — Wisdom from Small Creaturesgenerated
Proverbs 30:25 presents the ant as a model of diligence, illustrating that even the smallest creatures can display wisdom. This verse is part of a series of observations about creatures that, despite their small size or lack of strength, exhibit remarkable qualities, encouraging readers to learn from them. The surrounding verses emphasize how wisdom can be found in unexpected places, urging us to consider the lessons they teach.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 6:6–8 | Walk in the manner of the ant, O slacker; observe its ways and become wise. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 1 reference, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — נְמָלָה, Ha.ne.ma.limgenerated
The word נְמָלָה (ne.malah) refers specifically to ants, derived from the root נָמַל (nmal), which likely references their distinctive appearance. In this verse, the ant symbolizes diligence and foresight, as it stores food for the summer despite its lack of physical strength.
The use of this term highlights the contrast between the ant's small size and its wise behavior, suggesting that wisdom and preparation are valuable traits regardless of one's strength or status.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb is וַיָּכִ֖ינוּ, and they prepared, which governs the sentence. The structure shows a subject (the ants), a predicate (a people not strong), and a prepositional phrase (in the summer) that adds context to their action.
The Hebrew word order places emphasis on the subject, the ants, followed by their characteristics and actions, illustrating the contrast between their perceived weakness and their wise behavior.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates נְמָלָה as μύρμηκες (murmekes), which also means ants. This choice reflects a direct correspondence in meaning, maintaining the focus on the ant's diligence.
The Greek term carries similar connotations of industriousness, aligning with the original Hebrew intent to highlight the wisdom of the ant despite its small stature.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Proverbs 30:25 tells us that ants, though not strong, are wise because they prepare and store food during the summer. This teaches us the importance of diligence and planning ahead, even if we feel small or weak.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
We learn the value of hard work and preparation. Despite their small size, ants show great wisdom by storing food for the future.
It highlights that wisdom and diligence are more important than physical strength, encouraging us to be proactive regardless of our limitations.
It aligns with the broader theme in Proverbs that wisdom can be found in everyday observations, urging us to learn from all of creation.
Summer symbolizes a time of abundance and preparation, reminding us to plan for future needs during times of plenty.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what areas of my life can I be more diligent and prepared, like the ants?
- How can I apply the wisdom of this verse to my daily decisions?
- What are some small but wise actions I can take to prepare for the future?
- How does recognizing my own limitations help me to rely on wisdom and diligence?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
The early Church Fathers referenced this verse to illustrate the importance of diligence and foresight, using the ant as a model for Christian behavior.
Be prudent, and provide for yourself against the future in heaven. Be therefore prudent, copy the ant, as Scripture says, "Store in summer, lest you be hungry in winter." The winter is the last day, the day of tribulation;Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 30 →
The ants, a people not strong, etc. And the people of the Church show themselves weak temporally amidst raging adversaries in order to maintain mental fortitude;Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 30 →
Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Proverbs 30:25 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThe ants [are] a people not strong,.... Far from it; what is weaker than an ant? a multitude of them may be destroyed at once, with the crush of a foot.
Read John Gill on Proverbs 30 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThere be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise: There be four (things) ... little upon the earth (i:e., among the smallest things upon earth), But ... exceeding
Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 30 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BiblePeople; which title is oft given to the unreasonable creatures, both in Scripture, as 2:2, and in Homer, and Virgil, and divers other authors. They prepare their meat in the summer; of which See Poole "", See Poole "", See Poole "".
Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 30 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsProverbs 30:25 The ants [are] a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer;Ver. 25. The ants are a people not strong.] A feeble folk, but notable for their forecast. See Proverbs 6:6-7. Let us be so, but specially in spirituals.
Read John Trapp on Proverbs 30 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges25. the ants] See Proverbs 6:6-8 notes. a people] Comp. Joe 1:6, where the locusts are called a “nation.” So we have in Homer, ἔθνεαχηνῶν, μελισσάων, χοίρων, flocks of geese, swarms of bees, herds of pigs; and in Virgil, gentes equorum, droves of horses; lit. in each case “nations.”
Read Cambridge on Proverbs 30 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleSee the marginal reference note. Note the word “people” applied here to ants, as to locusts in Joe 1:6. The marvel lies in their collective, and, as it were, organized action.
Read Albert Barnes on Proverbs 30 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible24-28. Four things… little — Here is the enigma of the four small and contemptible things, that are yet esteemed for their wisdom and other qualities. The ants — See Proverbs 6:6; and notes there. The conies — Rabbits.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Proverbs 30 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
The ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer;
The ants are not a strong people, yet they provide their food in the summer.
The ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer;
ants are creatures with little strength, but they prepare their food in the summer;
Tyndale line
The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer;
The ants are a people not strong, Yet they provide their food in the summer;
The ants are a people not strong, yet they provide their meat in the summer;
The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their food in the summer;
The pismires a people not strong, yet prepare they their meate in sommer:
Strictly literal
The ants, a people not strong, yet they provide their food in the summer;
The ants [are] a people not strong, And they prepare in summer their food,
The ants [are] a people not strong, || And they prepare their food in summer,
The ants are a people not strong, therefore do they prepare in the summer their food;
the ants are creatures that are not strong, but they prepare their food in the summer;
From the Latin
The ants, a feeble people, which provide themselves food in the harvest:
Simplified
Ants—they're not strong, but they work hard all summer storing up food.
The ants are a people not strong, but they put by a store of food in the summer;
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree in their wording, with all seven words matched. This consistency indicates that the core message about the ants and their behavior has been preserved across these ancient texts.
הַ֭נְּמָלִים עַ֣ם לֹא־ עָ֑ז וַיָּכִ֖ינוּ בַקַּ֣יִץ לַחְמָֽם׃
7 of the 7 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Proverbs 30:25
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
נְמָלָה (nmalah) is a feminine noun meaning 'ant.' It is derived from the root word נָמַל (nmal), which likely refers to its distinct appearance. The term appears in various contexts within the Old Testament, but specific verses are not provided in the entries.
נְמָלָה n.f.unit. ant
base
H5244 נְמָלָה
5244 nmalah nem-aw-law'
feminine from 5243; an ant (probably from its almost bisected
form):--ant.
see HEBREW for 05243
נְמָלָה (ne.ma.lah) — ant.
ant
Art | N-fp — Particle · noun common masculine plural absoluteHTd/Ncmpa
עַם (am) primarily means 'people' or 'nation,' referring to a collective group, often in the context of tribes such as those of Israel. It can also denote kinsmen or compatriots. The term appears in various contexts, including military and familial references. There is a mention of a specific individual named Ammi in Song of Solomon 6:12.
עַם, עָם 1810 n.m. people
a people, nation
= smaller units
= common people
people in gen., persons
phrases
base
[עַם] n.[m.] kinsman (on father's side)
base
H5971a עַם, עָם people H5971b עַם kinsman (on father's side)
5971 `am am
from 6004; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a
tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or
attendants; figuratively, a flock:--folk, men, nation,
people.
see HEBREW for 06004
עַם (am) — people.
: people/nation
1) nation, people
1a) people, nation
1b) persons, members of one's people, compatriots, country-men
עַם (am) — kinsman.
kinsman, kindred
עַם (am) — Ammi.
A man living at the time of United Monarchy, only mentioned at Sng.6.12
§ kinsman, kindred
עַם (am) — People's (Gate).
§ kinsman, kindred
עַם (am) — (Ibleam)-am.
Combined with yiv.le.am (יִבְלְעָם "Ibleam" H2991)
§ kinsman, kindred
עַם (am) — Amaw.
This name means nation, people
עַם (am) — people: soldiers.
: soldiers/army
1) nation, people
1a) people, nation
1b) persons, members of one's people, compatriots, country-men
עַם (am) — people: creatures.
: creatures
1) nation, people
1a) people, nation
1b) persons, members of one's people, compatriots, country-men
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
pe'-p'-l: In English Versions of the Bible represents something over a dozen Hebrew and Greek words. Of these, in the Old Testament, `am, is overwhelmingly the most common (about 2,000 times), with le'om, and goy, next in order; but the various Hebrew words are used with very little or no difference in force (e.g. Pr 14:28; but, on the other hand, in Ps 44 contrast verses 12 and 14). Of the changes introduced by the Revised Version (British and American) the only one of significance (cited explicitly in the Preface to the English Revised Version) is the frequent use of the plural "peoples" (strangely avoided in the King James Version except Re 10:11; 17:15), where other nations than Israel are in question. So, for instance, in Ps…
לֹא (lo') is a Hebrew word meaning 'not' or 'no.' It serves as a simple negation and can imply absence or prohibition. The word can also be used in various contexts, often combined with other particles for emphasis or clarification. Its Aramaic equivalent is לָא (la), which also means 'not.'
לֹא or לוֹא adv. not
base
H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not
3808 lo' lo
or lowi {lo}; or loh (Deut. 3:11) {lo}; a primitive particle;
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often
used with other particles (as follows):--X before, + or else,
ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never,
no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (X as though...,(can-), for) not (out
of), of nought, otherwise, out of, + surely, + as truly as, +
of a truth, + verily, for want, + whether, without.
לֹא (lo) — not.
1) not, no
1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)
1b) not (with modifier-negation)
1c) nothing (subst)
1d) without (with particle)
1e) before (of time)
Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Part — ParticleHTn
The Hebrew word עַז (az) is built from the root associated with strength. It covers meanings such as strong, mighty, and fierce, indicating power and intensity. The entries consistently highlight its connotations of strength and harshness.
עַז adj. strong, mighty, fierce
base
H5794 עַז strong, mighty, fierce
5794 `az az
from 5810; strong, vehement, harsh:--fierce, + greedy,
mighty, power, roughly, strong.
see HEBREW for 05810
עַז (az) — strong.
strong, mighty, fierce
Adj — AdjHAamsa
כּוּן (kuwn) is a Hebrew verb meaning to establish or prepare. It encompasses a range of meanings, including to be firm, to fix, to direct, and to be ready, with applications in both literal and figurative contexts. The entries indicate various forms of the verb, such as Niph'al (to be established) and Hiph'il (to establish), but there is a note on a noun form, נָכוֹן (nakhon), meaning 'blow'.
[כּוּן] 218 vb. prob. be firm, only in der. conj.
Niph.
be set up, established, fixed
in a moral sense, be directed aright, of ways
prepare, be ready
pass. be prepared, of judgments
Hiph.
establish, set up
fix, so as to be ready, make ready, prepare, a gift
provide for, provide, furnish
direct one's face toward
arrange, order
Hoph.
be established, of throne
be prepared for
Po‛lēl.
set up, establish
constitute, make, a man (in womb)
fix, so as to be ready
direct
Po‛lal. be established
Hithpo‛l. be established
base
נָכוֹן n. [m.] = blow Jb 12:5
ref
H3559a כּוּן prob. be firm, only in der. conj. . . be set up, established, fixed
. in a moral sense, be directed aright, of ways
. prepare, be ready
. pass. be prepared, of judgments
. . establish, set up
. . fix, so as to be ready, make ready, prepare, a gift
. provide for, provide, furnish
. direct one's face toward
. arrange, order
. . be established, of throne
. be prepared for
. . set up, establish
. constitute, make, a man (in womb)
. fix, so as to be ready
. direct
. be established
. be established
H3559b נָכוֹן n. [m.] = blow
3559 kuwn koon
a primitive root; properly, to be erect (i.e. stand
perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great
variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,
prepare, apply), or figurative (appoint, render sure, proper
or prosperous):--certain(-ty), confirm, direct, faithfulness,
fashion, fasten, firm, be fitted, be fixed, frame, be meet,
ordain, order, perfect, (make) preparation, prepare (self),
provide, make provision, (be, make) ready, right, set (aright,
fast, forth), be stable, (e-)stablish, stand, tarry, X very
deed.
כּוּן (kun) — to establish: prepare.
: prepare/direct
1) to be firm, be stable, be established
1a) (Niphal)
1a1) to be set up, be established, be fixed
1a1a) to be firmly established
1a1b) to be established, be stable, be secure, be enduring
1a1c) to be fixed, be securely determined
1a2) to be directed aright, be fixed aright, be steadfast (moral sense)
1a3) to prepare, be ready
1a4) to be prepared, be arranged, be settled
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to establish, set up, accomplish, do, make firm
1b2) to fix, make ready, prepare, provide, provide for, furnish
1b3) to direct toward (moral sense)
1b4) to arrange, order
1c) (Hophal)
1c1) to be established, be fastened
1c2) to be prepared, be ready
1d) (Polel)
1d1) to set up, establish
1d2) to constitute, make
1d3) to fix
1d4) to direct
1e) (Pulal) to be established, be prepared
1f) (Hithpolel) to be established, be restored
נָכוֹן (na.khon) — blow.
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3mp — Verb · Hiphil · sequential imperfect third person masculine pluralHc/Vhw3mp
קַ֫יִץ (qayits) refers to summer and summer-fruit, indicating both the season and its produce. It is derived from a root meaning to harvest, encompassing the idea of crops, whether grain or fruit. The word appears in contexts related to the harvest season.
קַ֫יִץ n.m. summer, summer-fruit
base
H7019 קַ֫יִץ summer, summer-fruit
7019 qayits kah'-yits
from 6972; harvest (as the crop), whether the product (grain
or fruit) or the (dry) season:--summer (fruit, house).
see HEBREW for 06972
קַ֫יִץ (qa.yits) — summer.
1) summer, summer-fruit
1a) summer
1b) summer-fruit
Aramaic equivalent: qa.yit (קַ֫יִט "summer" H7007)
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHRd/Ncmsa
sum'-er (qayits; Aramaic qayiT (Da 2:35), from quts quT, "to cut off," "to pluck or gather fruit," hence, the time of fruit, summer (2Sa 16:1,2; Jer 40:10,12); theros (Mt 24:32; Lu 21:30)): The Hebrew verb, mentioned above, occurs in Isa 18:6, "to summer," used of the ravenous birds feeding upon carcasses of the slain. The term "summer parlor" in Jud 3:20 (compare 3:24) is literally, "upper room," and is so rendered in the Revised Version (British and American). The summer was the dry season extending from April…
See CANAAN.
- Made by God
- Yearly return of, secured by covenant
- Characterised By
. Excessive heat
. Excessive drought
- Approach of, indicated by shooting out of leaves on trees
לֶ֫חֶם (lechem) means bread or food, encompassing items like grain and provisions for both humans and animals. It is derived from a related root and is used in various contexts, particularly in the Old Testament. The entries consistently emphasize its primary association with bread, though they also acknowledge its broader meaning as food.
לֶ֫חֶם 296 n.m. and (rarely) f. bread, food
base
H3899 לֶ֫חֶם bread, food
3899 lechem lekh'-em
from 3898; food (for man or beast), especially bread, or
grain (for making it):--((shew-))bread, X eat, food, fruit,
loaf, meat, victuals. See also 1036.
see HEBREW for 03898
see HEBREW for 01036
לֶ֫חֶם (le.chem) — food.
: food(eating)
1) bread, food, grain
1a) bread
1a1) bread
1a2) bread-corn
1b) food (in general)
לֶ֫חֶם (le.chem) — food: bread.
: bread/loaf
1) bread, food, grain
1a) bread
1a1) bread
1a2) bread-corn
1b) food (in general)
לֶ֫חֶם (le.chem) — food: allowance.
: allowance
1) bread, food, grain
1a) bread
1a1) bread
1a2) bread-corn
1b) food (in general)
N-cs | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp3mp