Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Proverbs 30:25
The ants [are] a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer;
25. the ants ] See Pro 6:6-8 notes.
a people ] Comp. Joe 1:6, where the locusts are called a “nation.” So we have in Homer, , , , flocks of geese, swarms of bees, herds of pigs; and in Virgil, gentes equorum, droves of horses; lit. in each case “nations.”
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
See 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.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
People; which title is oft given to the unreasonable creatures, both in Scripture, as Joe 1:6; 2:2, and in Homer, and Virgil, and divers other authors.
They prepare their meat in the summer; of which See Poole “Pro 30:6“, See Poole “Pro 30:7“, See Poole “Pro 30:8“.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
The 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. Pliny calls it “minimum animal”, the least animal; and the Arabians use it as a proverb, to call a weak man one weaker than an ant: and there is one sort of ants called “dsar”, so small that one hundred of them will not weigh more than a barley corn g: they are called a people, because they associate together in great numbers; though small in bulk, and weak as to power and strength; and which is a figure elsewhere used in the sacred Scriptures; see Joe 1:6; and by profane writers, as Homer and Virgil, who speak of bees as a people and nation h; and of nations of flies, and of flying birds, geese, cranes, and swans i;
yet their prepare their meat in the summer; build granaries with great art and wisdom, carry in grains of corn with great labour and industry, in the summer season, when only to be got, and lay them up against winter. Phocylides k the poet says much the same things of them; he calls them a tribe or nation, small but laborious, and says, they gather and carry in their food in summer for the winter, which is a proof of their wisdom. Cicero l says, the ant has not only sense, but mind, reason, and memory. Aelianus m ascribes unspeakable wisdom to it; and Pliny n discourse and conversation; [See comments on Pr 6:6],
[See comments on Pr 6:7];
[See comments on Pr 6:8]. It is a pattern of industry and diligence both as to temporal and spiritual things, Ec 9:10.
g Bochart. Hierozoic. par. 2. l. 4. c. 22. col. 598. h Iliad. 2. v. 87. “Et populos et proelia dicam”, Georgic. l. 4. v. 4, 5. i Iliad. 2. v. 459, 469. & 15. v. 690, 691. k Poem. Admon. v. 158, 159. l De Natura Deorum, l. 3. m De Animal. l. 16. c. 15. n Nat. Hist. l. 11. c. 30.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Pro 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 Pro 6:6-7 . Let us be so, but specially in spirituals.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
a people. So are those “made wise” (2Ti 3:15) who are God’s People (Psa 100:3).
not strong = very weak. Figure of speech Tapeinosis. So Rom 5:6 (compare Isa 40:29; Isa 45:24. Job 12:13).
prepare = will prepare. Heb 10:5.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
The ants may truly be called a people, as they have houses, towns, public roads, etc.; and shew their wisdom and prudence by preparing their meat in due season. Pro 6:6-8
Reciprocal: Pro 6:8 – General Pro 10:5 – gathereth Joe 1:6 – nation