Proverbs 30:26 kjv
The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks;
Proverbs 30:26 nkjv
The rock badgers are a feeble folk, Yet they make their homes in the crags;
Proverbs 30:26 niv
hyraxes are creatures of little power, yet they make their home in the crags;
Proverbs 30:26 esv
the rock badgers are a people not mighty, yet they make their homes in the cliffs;
Proverbs 30:26 nlt
Hyraxes ? they aren't powerful,
but they make their homes among the rocks.
Proverbs 30 26 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ps 104:18 | The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats; and the rocks for the conies. | God provides suitable habitats for creatures. |
| Ps 18:2 | The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust;… | God as the ultimate divine refuge. |
| Ps 62:7 | My salvation and my glory depend on God; He is my strong rock, my refuge. | Trusting God for salvation and security. |
| Deut 32:4 | He is the Rock, His work is perfect; For all His ways are justice… | God's perfection and steadfastness as "The Rock". |
| 1 Sam 2:2 | There is no one holy like the LORD, Indeed, there is no one besides You, Nor is there any rock like our God. | Uniqueness and reliability of God as a rock. |
| Matt 7:24-27 | Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock;… | Wisdom of building life on a firm foundation (Christ's words). |
| Ps 91:1-2 | He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty… My refuge and my fortress… | Security in God's dwelling and protection. |
| Isa 32:1-2 | And a man shall be as a hiding place from the wind, And a cover from the tempest, As streams of water in a dry place… | God/Christ as ultimate shelter. |
| 2 Cor 12:9-10 | And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”… | God's power made complete in human weakness. |
| Isa 40:29 | He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength. | God strengthens the weary and feeble. |
| 1 Cor 1:27-28 | But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty… | God uses the humble and weak to confound the strong. |
| Zech 4:6 | Then he answered and spoke to me, saying: “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the LORD of hosts. | Success depends on God's Spirit, not human power. |
| Prov 6:6 | Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise… | Observing creation for wisdom (ant). |
| Prov 24:3-4 | Through wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established; By knowledge the rooms are filled… | Wisdom's role in building and stability. |
| Lk 16:8 | So the master commended the unjust steward because he had dealt shrewdly. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their own generation than the sons of light. | Prudence and shrewdness, even from unexpected sources. |
| Mt 10:16 | Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves. | Call to combined wisdom and purity. |
| Job 12:7-8 | But now ask the beasts, and they will teach you; And the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Or speak to the earth, and it will teach you… | Wisdom can be learned from all creation. |
| Rom 1:20 | For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead… | God's attributes revealed through creation. |
| Ps 19:1 | The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork. | Creation proclaims God's glory. |
| Prov 30:24 | There are four things which are little on the earth, But are exceeding wise: | Introduction to Agur's wise creatures list. |
| Prov 30:25 | The ants are a people not strong, Yet they prepare their food in the summer; | Wisdom of foresight and diligence (ant). |
| Prov 30:27 | The locusts have no king, Yet they all advance in ranks; | Wisdom of collective action and order (locusts). |
| Prov 30:28 | The spider skillfully grasps with its hands, And it is in kings’ palaces. | Wisdom of tenacity and skill (spider). |
Proverbs 30 verses
Proverbs 30 26 Meaning
Proverbs 30:26 describes the rock badger, a small and physically weak creature, yet wise in its instinct. It survives by strategically choosing to make its dwelling in the unassailable crags and rocky fortresses. The verse illustrates that true security and survival are not dependent on an individual's physical strength or power, but rather on God-given wisdom to discern and utilize a safe, protective refuge, thereby overcoming inherent limitations.
Proverbs 30 26 Context
Proverbs chapter 30 presents the "words of Agur," distinct from other Solomonic proverbs. This specific verse (30:26) is part of a quartet of "four things which are little upon the earth, but are exceeding wise" (Prov 30:24-28). Agur observes various aspects of creation, highlighting the innate wisdom or divinely instilled instinct that enables small or seemingly insignificant creatures to thrive. The context is didactic, drawing lessons about prudence, diligence, unity, and strategic living from the natural world for human instruction. Historically, the rock badger (hyrax) was common in the rocky terrain of ancient Israel, making it a familiar and relevant example to the original audience.
Proverbs 30 26 Word analysis
The rock badgers (Hebrew: שָׁפָן, shaphan): This refers to the hyrax, a small, herbivorous mammal, about the size of a rabbit, but taxonomically distinct. It is not a badger. They are physically small, shy, and have little defense against predators. Their vulnerability is key to the verse's lesson.
are a people (Hebrew: עַם, 'am): In Hebrew poetic structure, "people" can be used to personify a group with shared characteristics, providing a didactic metaphor for humanity. It signifies a distinct group or community. Here, it attributes a collective, quasi-human quality of action to the rock badgers.
not mighty (Hebrew: לֹא עָצוּם, lo 'atsum): "Atsum" denotes great strength, power, or numerousness. "Lo atsum" signifies their lack of physical power, size, or overwhelming force. This emphasizes their intrinsic feebleness or defenselessness, setting up the contrast with their wise survival strategy.
yet they make their homes (Hebrew: יָשִׂימוּ בֵסֶלַע בֵּיתָם, yashimu vesela beytam): "Yashimu" (they place/establish) conveys a deliberate, active, and effective choice of dwelling. This isn't passive habitation but strategic building/settling. "Beytam" means their house or home. This phrase highlights their wisdom in action.
in the crags (Hebrew: בַּסֶּלַע, basselac): "Sela" (crag, rock, cliff, stronghold) refers to a strong, naturally fortified, often inaccessible rocky area. For the hyrax, these crags provide natural walls, hideaways, and watchpoints that make up for their lack of physical strength, protecting them from predators. It is their secure refuge.
Words-group analysis:
- "The rock badgers are a people not mighty": This phrase succinctly presents the inherent physical weakness of the creature. It sets the stage for the paradox, where physical strength is absent, yet survival is assured through a different quality. It invites the listener to consider how wisdom operates apart from brute force.
- "yet they make their homes in the crags": This part reveals the divinely-instilled wisdom. Their active choice of an impregnable refuge—the sela—is the key to their security. It highlights resourceful adaptation and strategic planning, turning their natural vulnerability into an advantage by utilizing their environment wisely. The combination of weakness and strategic refuge underscores the verse's central message: true security comes from a wisely chosen stronghold.
Proverbs 30 26 Bonus section
The four creatures listed by Agur in Proverbs 30:24-28 (ants, rock badgers, locusts, and spiders) form a purposeful list designed to illustrate different facets of practical wisdom, demonstrating that insight is not exclusive to the physically strong or large. Each creature, despite its small stature, exhibits an attribute that contributes to its success and serves as a model for human behavior. The rock badger's wisdom particularly reinforces the biblical theme of God providing safety and strength to the humble and weak, contrasting human reliance on might with divine provision and shrewdness. The specific mention of "rocks" in Psalm 104:18 as the dwelling for "conies" further reinforces this ancient observation and underlines the enduring natural reality Agur draws upon. This serves as an example of common grace, where even non-human creation possesses an inherent wisdom endowed by the Creator that humanity can learn from.
Proverbs 30 26 Commentary
Proverbs 30:26 holds a powerful lesson derived from observing God's creation. The rock badger, or hyrax, is highlighted as an exemplar of wisdom not because of its strength or might, which it lacks, but because of its ingenious and divinely instilled strategy for survival. Despite being "not mighty" or physically weak and vulnerable to predators, it makes its dwelling "in the crags." These crags, natural fortresses and rocky hideouts, provide an impregnable defense, demonstrating how wisdom—not brute force—secures well-being. This teaches us that recognizing our limitations and then prudently seeking an unassailable refuge, whether physical or spiritual, is a key to thriving. For believers, this implicitly points to God Himself, who is often called "the Rock" in Scripture. We, as individuals, are "not mighty" in the face of spiritual challenges or life's overwhelming forces, but we are to wisely "make our homes" and find our security in the "crags" of His protection and truth. This is a call to humility and a call to trust and strategically rely on a source of strength far greater than our own.
Examples:
- A Christian facing overwhelming temptations (feeling "not mighty") chooses to dwell in daily Scripture reading and prayer (making a "home in the crags") to find spiritual strength and refuge.
- A believer navigating a complex decision seeks wisdom from God's Word and godly counsel (dwelling in the "crags") rather than relying solely on personal understanding or worldly trends.