Proverbs 30:28
Proverbs 30:28 in Multiple Translations
and the lizard can be caught in one’s hands, yet it is found in the palaces of kings.
The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings’ palaces.
The lizard taketh hold with her hands, Yet is she in kings’ palaces.
You may take the lizard in your hands, but it is in kings' houses.
Lizards—you can catch them in your hands, but they live in the king's palace.
The spider taketh holde with her handes, and is in Kings palaces.
A spider with two hands taketh hold, And is in the palaces of a king.
You can catch a lizard with your hands, yet it is in kings’ palaces.
The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in king's palaces.
The stellio supporteth itself on hands, and dwelleth in kings’ houses.
Lizards/Geckos are very small and you can hold them in your hand, but they are cleverly able to get inside kings’ palaces.
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 30:28
BAB
Word Study
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Proverbs 30:28 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
שְׂ֭מָמִית
בְּ/יָדַ֣יִם
תְּתַפֵּ֑שׂ
וְ֝/הִ֗יא
בְּ/הֵ֣יכְלֵי
מֶֽלֶךְ
שְׂ֭מָמִית
sᵉmâmîyth
H8079
lizard
N-fs
בְּ/יָדַ֣יִם
yâd
H3027
hand
Prep | N-cd
תְּתַפֵּ֑שׂ
tâphas
H8610
to capture
V-Piel-Imperf-2ms
וְ֝/הִ֗יא
hûwʼ
H1931
he/she/it
Conj | Pron
בְּ/הֵ֣יכְלֵי
hêykâl
H1964
temple
Prep | N-mp
מֶֽלֶךְ
melek
H4428
King's
N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 30:28
שְׂ֭מָמִית
sᵉmâmîyth
H8079
"lizard"
N-fs
This Hebrew word refers to a type of lizard or reptile, often viewed as unclean in biblical times. In Leviticus 11:29-30, it's listed as an unclean animal that the Israelites were not supposed to eat. It's a small creature that was considered impure.
Definition: a kind of lizard
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: spider. See also: Proverbs 30:28.
בְּ/יָדַ֣יִם
yâd
H3027
"hand"
Prep | N-cd
In the Bible, 'yad' refers to an open hand, symbolizing power or direction. It can also mean strength or a part of something, like a side or a share. The word is used in many contexts, including anatomy and everyday life.
Definition: : hand/arm[anatomy] 1) hand 1a) hand (of man) 1b) strength, power (fig.) 1c) side (of land), part, portion (metaph.) (fig.) 1d) (various special, technical senses) 1d1) sign, monument 1d2) part, fractional part, share 1d3) time, repetition 1d4) axle-trees, axle 1d5) stays, support (for laver) 1d6) tenons (in tabernacle) 1d7) a phallus, a hand (meaning unsure) 1d8) wrists
Usage: Occurs in 1446 OT verses. KJV: ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves. See also: Genesis 3:22; Exodus 7:19; Leviticus 14:22.
תְּתַפֵּ֑שׂ
tâphas
H8610
"to capture"
V-Piel-Imperf-2ms
To capture or seize something, like in 1 Kings 13:4, where a prophet grabs the king's altar. It means to take hold of or grasp something firmly.
Definition: 1) to catch, handle, lay hold, take hold of, seize, wield 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to lay hold of, seize, arrest, catch 1a2) to grasp (in order to) wield, wield, use skilfully 1b) (Niphal) to be seized, be arrested, be caught, be taken, captured 1c) (Piel) to catch, grasp (with the hands)
Usage: Occurs in 60 OT verses. KJV: catch, handle, (lay, take) hold (on, over), stop, [idiom] surely, surprise, take. See also: Genesis 4:21; Jeremiah 2:8; Psalms 10:2.
וְ֝/הִ֗יא
hûwʼ
H1931
"he/she/it"
Conj | Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)
Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.
בְּ/הֵ֣יכְלֵי
hêykâl
H1964
"temple"
Prep | N-mp
The Hebrew word for a large public building like a palace or temple, used to describe God's temple in Jerusalem. It appears in the Bible to talk about the temple as God's palace. In the Bible, it is translated as 'palace' or 'temple'.
Definition: : temple 1) palace, temple, nave, sanctuary 1a) palace 1b) temple (palace of God as king) 1c) hall, nave (of Ezekiel's temple) 1d) temple (of heavenly temple)
Usage: Occurs in 76 OT verses. KJV: palace, temple. See also: 1 Samuel 1:9; Psalms 138:2; Psalms 5:8.
מֶֽלֶךְ
melek
H4428
"King's"
N-ms
This word refers to a king or royal person, like King David or King Saul. It can also describe something related to a king, like the King's Valley in Genesis. The Bible often uses this word to talk about the rulers of Israel.
Definition: King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)
Usage: Occurs in 1919 OT verses. KJV: king, royal. See also: Genesis 14:1; Joshua 10:39; 1 Samuel 16:1.
Study Notes — Proverbs 30:28
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Proverbs 30:28 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 30:28
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 30:28
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 30:28
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 30:28
- Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 30:28
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 30:28
- Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 30:28
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 30:28
Context — The Words of Agur
26the rock badgers are creatures of little power, yet they make their homes in the rocks;
27the locusts have no king, yet they all advance in formation;
28and the lizard can be caught in one’s hands, yet it is found in the palaces of kings.
29There are three things that are stately in their stride, and four that are impressive in their walk: 30a lion, mighty among beasts, refusing to retreat before anything;Proverbs 30:28 Summary
This verse is saying that even small and seemingly insignificant things can have a big impact and be found in important places. The lizard is an example of something that is small and can be caught in one's hands, but it can still be found in the palaces of kings. This reminds us to not underestimate the power of small things, like our actions and prayers, and to trust that God can use them to bring about great things (Matthew 17:20, 1 Corinthians 1:27). By being faithful in the small things, we can trust that God will use them to bring about great things and exalt us in His time (Proverbs 22:1, 1 Peter 5:6).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the lizard in Proverbs 30:28?
The lizard in Proverbs 30:28 represents something that is small and seemingly insignificant, yet it can be found in grand and important places, like the palaces of kings, reminding us that even the smallest creatures can have a big impact, as seen in the story of David and Goliath in 1 Samuel 17:1-58.
How does this verse relate to our everyday lives?
This verse encourages us to not underestimate the power of small things, whether it be our actions, our words, or our prayers, as even the smallest seed can grow into a great tree, as Jesus teaches in the parable of the mustard seed in Matthew 13:31-32.
What does the phrase 'found in the palaces of kings' mean?
The phrase 'found in the palaces of kings' suggests that even the most humble and insignificant things can have access to the highest and most noble places, reminding us that God can exalt the humble, as seen in the story of Joseph in Genesis 37:1-36 and 41:1-57.
How can we apply the lesson of the lizard to our walk with God?
We can apply the lesson of the lizard by being faithful in the small things, trusting that God can use them to bring about great things, and remembering that our actions and decisions have consequences, as taught in Galatians 6:7-10 and Proverbs 22:1.
Reflection Questions
- What are some small things in my life that I can use to make a big impact for God's kingdom?
- How can I be faithful in the small things, trusting that God will use them to bring about great things?
- What are some ways that I can humble myself and trust God to exalt me, like the lizard that is found in the palaces of kings?
- How can I apply the principle of not underestimating the power of small things to my relationships and interactions with others?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 30:28
The spider taketh hold with her hands,.... On the thread she spins, or on the flies and bees she catches in her web. This is a small creature, yet very wise; what a curious thread does she spin! what a fine web does she weave!
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 30:28
The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings' palaces. The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings' palaces. The term here, sªmaamiyt (H8079), different from that in Job 8:14 `akaabiysh (H5908).
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 30:28
The spider taketh hold of the thread which she spins out of her own bowels with her hands; with her legs, which he calls hands, because they serve her for the same purpose, to do her work, to weave her web, and to catch gnats or flies, &c. Is in kings’ palaces; is not only in poor cottages, but many times in palaces also, where she makes a shift to keep her abode, notwithstanding all the care and pains which is taken to sweep and cleanse it.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 30:28
Proverbs 30:28 The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings’ palaces.Ver. 28. The spider taketh hold with her hands.] Some render it the ape, and the Hebrew semamith is somewhat like the Latin simia, a creature that is very witty, active, and imitative, taking hold with his hands (such as they are) and doing strange feats; being therefore much in king’ s palaces, who delight to look upon them, as Solomon did, for recreation. If we take it for the spider, she doth her work painfully and curiously, spins a finer thread than any woman can do, builds a finer house than any man can do, in manner and form like to the tent of an emperor. This base creature may teach us this wisdom, saith one, not to be bunglers or slubberers in our works, but to be exact in our trades, and labour so to excel therein, that our doings may be commendable and admirable.
Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 30:28
(28) The spider taketh hold with her hands.—The lizard, rather than the spider, seems to be here intended. As each first line of these four verses is an expression of weakness, it has been proposed to translate thus: “The lizard thou canst catch with the hands, and yet,” etc. (Comp. for this praise of wisdom, Ecclesiastes 9:14 sqq.)
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 30:28
28. the spider] Rather, the lizard. The Heb. word occurs here only. taketh hold with her hands] If this rendering be retained, the reference may be to the animal “taking hold of,” catching its prey (“Quid, cum me domi sedentem stellio, muscas captans vel araneas retibus suis implicans, sæpe intentum fecit?” August. Confess, 10. 35). But it is better to understand it of the marvellous power of “taking hold of,” adhering to, the surfaces over which it glides. “Many members of this family of Saura are characterised by a peculiar lamellated structure on the under surface of the toes, by means of which they are enabled to run over the smoothest surfaces, and even in an inverted position, like house-flies on a cieling.” Smiths Dict. of Bible, Art. Lizard.The alternative rendering, thou canst seize with thy hands (R.V. marg.) brings out, as in the other three examples in this quatrain, the weak point as a foil to the wisdom exhibited: you can catch the lizard with your hands, and yet she makes her way into king’s palaces. But this is done sufficiently by the former rendering: the lizard has nothing better to rely on than its agility, and yet it gains an entry by it into kings’ palaces.
Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 30:28
Spider - Rather, the Gecko (or Stellio), a genus of the lizard tribe, many species of which haunt houses, make their way through crevices in the walls, and with feet that secrete a venomous exudation
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 30:28
24-28. 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.