Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version locusts have no king, yet they advance together in ranks; New Living Translation Locusts—they have no king, but they march in formation. English Standard Version the locusts have no king, yet all of them march in rank; Berean Standard Bible the locusts have no king, yet they all advance in formation; King James Bible The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands; New King James Version The locusts have no king, Yet they all advance in ranks; New American Standard Bible The locusts have no king, Yet all of them go out in ranks; NASB 1995 The locusts have no king, Yet all of them go out in ranks; NASB 1977 The locusts have no king, Yet all of them go out in ranks; Legacy Standard Bible The locusts have no king, Yet all of them go out in rank; Amplified Bible The locusts have no king, Yet all of them go out in groups; Christian Standard Bible locusts have no king, yet all of them march in ranks; Holman Christian Standard Bible locusts have no king, yet all of them march in ranks; American Standard Version The locusts have no king, Yet go they forth all of them by bands; Contemporary English Version locusts, who have no king, but march like an army; English Revised Version The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands; GOD'S WORD® Translation Locusts have no king, yet all of them divide into swarms by instinct. Good News Translation Locusts: they have no king, but they move in formation. International Standard Version Locusts have no king, but they all swarm in ranks. NET Bible locusts have no king, but they all go forward by ranks; New Heart English Bible The locusts have no king, yet they advance in ranks. Webster's Bible Translation The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands; Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Biblethe locusts have no king, yet they all advance in formation; World English Bible The locusts have no king, yet they advance in ranks. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionThere is no king to the locust, "" And it goes out—each one shouting, Young's Literal Translation A king there is not to the locust, And it goeth out -- each one shouting, Smith's Literal Translation To the locust no king, and it will go forth divided all of them; Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThe locust hath no king, yet they all go out by their bands. Catholic Public Domain Version The locust has no king, but they all depart by their troops. New American Bible Locusts—they have no king, yet they march forth in formation; New Revised Standard Version the locusts have no king, yet all of them march in rank; Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThe locusts who have no king, and yet they all gather together. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And locusts that have no King over them and they all assemble together, OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917The locusts have no king, Yet go they forth all of them by bands; Brenton Septuagint Translation The locusts have no king, and yet march orderly at one command. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible 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.… Cross References Judges 6:5 For the Midianites came with their livestock and their tents like a great swarm of locusts. They and their camels were innumerable, and they entered the land to ravage it. Joel 2:25 I will repay you for the years eaten by locusts—the swarming locust, the young locust, the destroying locust, and the devouring locust—My great army that I sent against you. Nahum 3:17 Your guards are like the swarming locust, and your scribes like clouds of locusts that settle on the walls on a cold day. When the sun rises, they fly away, and no one knows where. Exodus 10:4-6 But if you refuse to let My people go, I will bring locusts into your territory tomorrow. / They will cover the face of the land so that no one can see it. They will devour whatever is left after the hail and eat every tree that grows in your fields. / They will fill your houses and the houses of all your officials and every Egyptian—something neither your fathers nor your grandfathers have seen since the day they came into this land.’” Then Moses turned and left Pharaoh’s presence. Jeremiah 46:23 They will chop down her forest, declares the LORD, dense though it may be, for they are more numerous than locusts; they cannot be counted. Psalm 105:34-35 He spoke, and the locusts came—young locusts without number. / They devoured every plant in their land and consumed the produce of their soil. Isaiah 33:4 Your spoil, O nations, is gathered as by locusts; like a swarm of locusts men sweep over it. Amos 7:1 This is what the Lord GOD showed me: He was preparing swarms of locusts just after the king’s harvest, as the late spring crop was coming up. Matthew 3:4 John wore a garment of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. Mark 1:6 John was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. Revelation 9:3-7 And out of the smoke, locusts descended on the earth, and they were given power like that of the scorpions of the earth. / They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any plant or tree, but only those who did not have the seal of God on their foreheads. / The locusts were not given power to kill them, but only to torment them for five months, and their torment was like the stinging of a scorpion. ... Exodus 10:12-15 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the land of Egypt, so that the locusts may swarm over it and devour every plant in the land—everything that the hail has left behind.” / So Moses stretched out his staff over the land of Egypt, and throughout that day and night the LORD sent an east wind across the land. By morning the east wind had brought the locusts. / The locusts swarmed across the land and settled over the entire territory of Egypt. Never before had there been so many locusts, and never again will there be. ... Psalm 78:46 He gave their crops to the grasshopper, the fruit of their labor to the locust. Isaiah 40:22 He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth; its dwellers are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in. Luke 10:19 Behold, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. Nothing will harm you. Treasury of Scripture The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands; the locusts Exodus 10:4-6,13-15 Else, if thou refuse to let my people go, behold, to morrow will I bring the locusts into thy coast: … Psalm 104:34 My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD. Joel 1:4,6,7 That which the palmerworm hath left hath the locust eaten; and that which the locust hath left hath the cankerworm eaten; and that which the cankerworm hath left hath the caterpiller eaten… by bands or gathered together Jump to Previous Advance Bands Forth Locusts March Rank Ranks Shouting TogetherJump to Next Advance Bands Forth Locusts March Rank Ranks Shouting TogetherProverbs 30 1. Agur's confession of his faith7. The two points of his prayer 10. The meanest are not to be wronged 11. Four wicked generations 15. Four things insatiable 24. four things exceeding wise 29. Four things stately 32. Wrath is to be prevented the locusts have no king In the ancient Near East, a king was often seen as a symbol of order and leadership. The absence of a king among the locusts highlights their unique ability to function collectively without centralized leadership. This can be seen as a reflection of God's design in nature, where even creatures without a hierarchical structure can achieve remarkable unity and purpose. The locusts' behavior is a testament to the wisdom inherent in creation, as they operate effectively through instinct and cooperation. This phrase may also serve as a metaphor for the people of God, who are called to unity and purpose under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, rather than relying solely on human leadership. yet they all advance in formation Persons / Places / Events 1. LocustsIn the Bible, locusts are often seen as a symbol of destruction and judgment, but here they are used to illustrate wisdom and order despite the absence of a leader. 2. Agur The author of Proverbs 30, Agur, son of Jakeh, is a figure who provides wisdom through observations of the natural world. 3. Israel The context of Proverbs is rooted in the wisdom literature of ancient Israel, where understanding and living according to God's order was paramount. Teaching Points Order in the Absence of LeadershipThe locusts' ability to move in formation without a king teaches us the value of self-discipline and cooperation. In our lives, we should strive to work harmoniously with others, even when direct leadership is absent. God's Design in Nature Observing the natural world can reveal God's wisdom and order. Just as locusts advance in formation, we can trust that God has a design for our lives, even when it is not immediately apparent. Unity and Purpose The unity of the locusts serves as a model for the Church. Believers are called to work together with a common purpose, advancing the Kingdom of God without needing constant oversight. Trust in Divine Order Even when human leadership fails, we can trust in God's ultimate authority and order. This encourages us to rely on His guidance and wisdom in our personal and communal lives. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Proverbs 30:27?2. How do Proverbs 30:27's ants exemplify God's design for community and order? 3. What lessons on diligence and preparation can we learn from Proverbs 30:27? 4. How does Proverbs 30:27 connect with the theme of wisdom in Proverbs? 5. In what ways can we apply the ants' example to our daily lives? 6. How can Proverbs 30:27 inspire us to trust God's provision and guidance? 7. How do locusts exemplify wisdom in Proverbs 30:27 despite having no king? 8. What does Proverbs 30:27 teach about leadership and organization? 9. How does Proverbs 30:27 challenge human reliance on hierarchical structures? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 30? 11. What is the order of the Bible's books? 12. Proverbs 8:27: When it says wisdom was there at the making of the heavens, how does this compare with modern cosmology's timing of the universe's formation? 13. Could a single city wall realistically collapse and kill 27,000 men, as the text asserts (1 Kings 20:30)? 14. What are common questions about proverbs? What Does Proverbs 30:27 Mean The locusts• God points us to one of His tiniest creatures to teach a big lesson. Scripture often uses insects to instruct us (Proverbs 6:6–8). • Locusts show up as instruments of judgment (Exodus 10:12–15) and as symbols of overwhelming power (Joel 1:4; Revelation 9:3), so we know they are worth noticing. • By choosing locusts instead of, say, lions, the verse reminds us that wisdom isn’t tied to size or status—God’s design in the smallest things carries weight. have no king • Unlike Israel, which struggled when “there was no king” (Judges 17:6), locusts thrive without a visible ruler. • This echoes the ant, which “has no commander, no overseer or ruler” yet stores up food (Proverbs 6:7–8). • The point isn’t that authority is bad—God ordains leadership (Romans 13:1)—but that even without a throne or crown, creation can function smoothly when it follows the order God built into it. yet they all advance • Joel 2:7–8 pictures locusts climbing walls and moving ahead without breaking ranks—unstoppable because they move together. • Their unity highlights how God’s people are meant to press forward side by side (Philippians 1:27; Ephesians 4:3–4). • When believers obey God’s Word rather than personal whims, the church makes progress that no enemy can halt (Matthew 16:18). in formation • Locust swarms fly in such tight, coordinated ranks that ancient armies copied their tactics (Joel 2:5–11). • Orderly formation reflects God’s own character, for “God is not a God of disorder but of peace” (1 Corinthians 14:33). • In Colossians 2:5 Paul rejoices to see believers’ “good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ,” a human echo of the locust formation. • Practical takeaways: – Stay in your God-given lane; don’t envy another’s role (1 Corinthians 12:14–18). – Keep pace with the body; isolation weakens effectiveness (Hebrews 10:24–25). – Follow the Word as your coordinating signal; that’s how the swarm stays together (John 14:15). summary One tiny insect swarm, no throne, no commander, yet perfectly synchronized—Proverbs 30:27 shows how God’s wisdom weaves order into creation. If locusts can advance in formation without a king, how much more should Spirit-filled believers, under Christ our King, move forward together in obedience, unity, and disciplined purpose. Verse 27. - The locusts have no king (Proverbs 6:7), yet they show discipline, guidance, and order. They go forth all of them by bands; so that Joel (Joel 2:7, 8) speaks of them as a well-ordered army, as it were men of war, marching every one on his ways, not entangling their ranks, walking every one in his path. Septuagint, "The locusts are without a king, yet march at one command in good order."Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew the locustsלָאַרְבֶּ֑ה (lā·’ar·beh) Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 697: (a kind of) locust have no אֵ֣ין (’ên) Adverb Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle king, מֶ֭לֶךְ (me·leḵ) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4428: A king yet they all כֻּלּֽוֹ׃ (kul·lōw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every advance וַיֵּצֵ֖א (way·yê·ṣê) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim in formation; חֹצֵ֣ץ (ḥō·ṣêṣ) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 2686: To chop into, pierce, sever, to curtail, to distribute, to shoot an arrow Links Proverbs 30:27 NIVProverbs 30:27 NLT Proverbs 30:27 ESV Proverbs 30:27 NASB Proverbs 30:27 KJV Proverbs 30:27 BibleApps.com Proverbs 30:27 Biblia Paralela Proverbs 30:27 Chinese Bible Proverbs 30:27 French Bible Proverbs 30:27 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Proverbs 30:27 The locusts have no king yet they (Prov. 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