Lexical Summary nemalah: Ant Original Word: נְמָלָה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance ant Feminine from namal; an ant (probably from its almost bisected form) -- ant. see HEBREW namal NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition an ant NASB Translation ant (1), ants (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs נְמָלָה noun feminine of individual meaning (LagBN 81) ant (Late Hebrew id.; Arabic  (noun of individual meaning of  ); Syriac  ); — absolute ׳נ Proverbs 6:8; plural הַנְּמָלִים Proverbs 30:25. נמר (√ of following, meaning dubious; possibly compare Assyrian namâru, shine, gleam (from glossy coat of panther and leopard), [see Arabic Topical Lexicon Natural history and cultural background In the warm, arid climate of the ancient Near East ants were a familiar sight around threshing floors, granaries, and field paths. Their tiny size, disciplined lines, intricate tunnels, and seasonal storage of grain made them a ready-made object lesson for Hebrew sages who wished to illustrate the virtues of diligence, foresight, and communal cooperation. Because ants do not demand pasture land or human care, they were accessible to the poorest farmer and therefore provided a universally understood example. Biblical occurrences and literary setting 1. Proverbs 6:6 introduces the ant within an admonition addressed to the “slacker.” The sage commands the idle person to study the insect’s lifestyle—“observe its ways and be wise”. Taken together, the two verses form a chiastic reinforcement: the first urges imitation, the second supplies the rationale—little strength yet great wisdom. No further canonical appearances occur, underscoring the concentrated, deliberate use within Wisdom Literature. Theological and ethical themes Diligence and industry: The ant’s unflagging labor mirrors the creational mandate to work (Genesis 2:15) and anticipates Paul’s instruction, “If anyone is not willing to work, neither shall he eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10). Foresight and stewardship: Storing “in the summer” echoes Joseph’s grain policy (Genesis 41:48) and Solomon’s counsel, “Prepare your work outside… then build your house” (Proverbs 24:27). The ant models prudent preparation without slipping into anxious hoarding (balanced by Matthew 6:31-33). Communal harmony: Operating without an appointed “commander, overseer, or ruler” (Proverbs 6:7) the colony still functions effectively. This illustrates voluntary cooperation and serves as a foil for Israel’s judges-era chaos when “everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25). Wisdom from the humble: The ant ranks among the “small things” (Proverbs 30:24) through which God shames worldly pride (1 Corinthians 1:27). Divine wisdom is often revealed through the unnoticed and lowly. Historical reception in Jewish and Christian thought Rabbinic literature echoes Proverbs, lauding the ant as a paradigm of Torah study—gathering “crumbs” of learning day by day. Early Christian writers such as Basil of Caesarea leveraged the same imagery to exhort monks to steady labor. Medieval sermons linked the ant’s divided body segments to the spiritual disciplines of work and prayer. The Protestant Reformers applied the text to vocational faithfulness, integrating labor into the doctrine of vocation. Practical ministry applications Personal discipleship: Encourage believers to schedule regular “gathering seasons” (times of study, prayer, and service) so that future spiritual “famines” find them supplied. Family stewardship: Parents may use household chores and savings plans to illustrate ant-like foresight to children (Proverbs 22:6). Church governance: Volunteer teams that self-organize for service projects embody ant-like initiative, freeing elders for prayer and the ministry of the word (Acts 6:4). Mission strategy: Ant colonies expand by sending out small, coordinated foragers; likewise, short-term mission teams can probe new fields, gather information, and prepare for larger efforts. Homiletical outline sample A. Look at the ant (Observation) – Proverbs 6:6 B. Learn from the ant (Interpretation) – Proverbs 30:25 C. Live like the ant (Application) – Colossians 3:23; Romans 12:11 Christological reflection Though Proverbs never mentions Christ explicitly, the ant’s self-emptying labor prefigures the Servant who “did not come to be served, but to serve” (Mark 10:45). Like the ant, Jesus embraced lowliness, worked while it was day (John 9:4), and laid up a harvest for the Father. Believers united to Him participate in that ongoing work, confident that “your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58). Eschatological outlook The ant’s summer gathering anticipates the final harvest (Matthew 13:39). Now is the acceptable time for gospel labor; winter is coming when no one can work (John 9:4). Proverbs therefore calls every generation to redeem the time, gathering souls and spiritual fruit for the eternal kingdom. Key cross-references for further study Genesis 41:48; Proverbs 10:4-5; Proverbs 12:24; Proverbs 13:4; Ecclesiastes 9:10; Luke 14:28-30; Ephesians 5:15-16; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-12; Hebrews 6:10-12. Forms and Transliterations הַ֭נְּמָלִים הנמלים נְמָלָ֥ה נמלה han·nə·mā·lîm Hannemalim hannəmālîm nə·mā·lāh nemaLah nəmālāhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Proverbs 6:6 HEB: נְמָלָ֥ה עָצֵ֑ל רְאֵ֖ה NAS: Go to the ant, O sluggard, Observe KJV: Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider INT: the ant sluggard Observe Proverbs 30:25 2 Occurrences |
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pardus, and limpidus, purus (of water; compare below נמרים)] so HomNS 294 f.; ag. this NöZMG xl (1886), 736 SchwIdioticon 121; נָמֵר is comm. Sem.: Assyrian nimru DlHWB 468; Arabic 
, 
Lane2853; Ethiopic 
Syriac 
, ᵑ7 נִמְרָא; Late Hebrew נָמֵר).