Lexical Summary semamith: Lizard Original Word: שְׂמָמִית Strong's Exhaustive Concordance spider Probably from shamem (in the sense of poisoning); a lizard (from the superstition of its noxiousness) -- spider. see HEBREW shamem NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition (a kind of) lizard NASB Translation lizard (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs שְׂמָמִית noun feminine a kind of lizard (so ᵐ5 ᵑ9 ᵑ7Leviticus 11:30 compare StrPr (also on שׂ > שׁ)); — absolute ׳שׂ Proverbs 30:28 (compare Shipley-CookEncy. Bib. LIZARD). שׂמר (apparently √ of following; meaning dubious). Topical Lexicon Identification of the Creature While some older English versions render שְׂמָמִית as “spider,” most modern scholarship and the Berean Standard Bible identify it as a small lizard. Lizards were common in ancient Israel, easily slipping through cracks in mud-brick walls and finding comfortable refuge even in elaborate residences. The term therefore denotes a fragile, seemingly insignificant reptile that nonetheless infiltrates places of great prestige. Biblical Context Proverbs 30:24-28 lists four small creatures that embody unusual wisdom. Verse 28 concludes the series: “A lizard can be caught in the hands, yet it is found in kings’ palaces” (Proverbs 30:28). Each creature illustrates how God equips the weak with strategic advantages—ants with diligence, rock badgers with secure habitation, locusts with unified movement, and the lizard with quiet access. Together they commend humility, foresight, cooperation, and bold persistence as facets of godly wisdom. Theological Significance 1. Divine Providence in the Small. The ease with which the lizard enters royal dwellings testifies that the Lord “exalts the humble” (compare 1 Peter 5:6). God delights in employing the lowly to confound the mighty, anticipating themes later articulated in 1 Corinthians 1:27-29. Historical and Cultural Insights Archaeological evidence from Near Eastern palatial ruins reveals abundant reptile remains, confirming the plausibility of Solomon-era observations. Mud-brick and dressed-stone architecture provided niches for geckos, skinks, and agamas. Ancient texts outside Scripture sometimes treated such creatures as omens; Proverbs, however, reframes the reptile as a moral instructor, stripping away superstition and focusing on divine wisdom. Application for Ministry • Children’s Education: The vivid image of a tiny lizard in a king’s palace captivates young minds, illustrating how God values and uses “the least of these.” Typological and Devotional Reflections The lizard foreshadows the surprising advance of the kingdom of God—quietly entering hearts and cultures far beyond expected boundaries (Luke 13:18-21). Just as the reptile claims space in royal halls, so the gospel permeates every stratum of society. The image invites worshippers to pray for unobtrusive yet effective gospel infiltration into places that seem inaccessible. Summary שְׂמָמִית exemplifies how Scripture employs the natural world to unveil spiritual truth. From a single occurrence in Proverbs 30:28, believers glean enduring lessons on humility, providence, and mission, celebrating a God who empowers the insignificant to display His incomparable wisdom. Forms and Transliterations ממית שְׂ֭מָמִית mā·mîṯ mamit māmîṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Proverbs 30:28 HEB: שְׂ֭מָמִית בְּיָדַ֣יִם תְּתַפֵּ֑שׂ NAS: The lizard you may grasp KJV: The spider taketh hold with her hands, INT: the lizard the hands may grasp |
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