Tiny yet industrious creatures, ants can teach us valuable lessons about diligence, unity, and the pursuit of goals.
Join us on an enlightening exploration of verses in the Bible that mention ants, unraveling the symbolic significance and wisdom they embody.
Discover how observing the ways of ants can inspire and guide us in our own lives, reminding us of the importance of perseverance and cooperation.
Also Read: 21 Bible Verses about God Has the Last Word (With Commentary)
Bible Verses about Ants
Proverbs 6:6-11
“Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest. How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber and want like an armed man.”
Proverbs 6:6-11 reminds us of the wisdom that can be gained from observing ants. Despite having no ruler, ant colonies are highly organized, efficient, and hardworking. The sluggard is encouraged to learn from the ant’s diligence and work ethic in order to avoid poverty and want.
Proverbs 30:24-25
“Four things on earth are small, yet they are extremely wise: Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer.”
Proverbs 30:24-25 acknowledges ants as one of the smallest and seemingly weakest creatures on earth, yet they possess great wisdom in their ability to plan ahead and store up food for the future. This verse highlights the importance of wise planning and foresight in all areas of life.
Psalm 78:45
“He sent swarms of flies that devoured them, and frogs that devastated them. He gave their crops to the grasshopper, their produce to the locust. He destroyed their vines with hail and their sycamore-figs with sleet. He gave over their cattle to the hail, their livestock to bolts of lightning. He unleashed against them his hot anger, his wrath, indignation and hostility— a band of destroying angels.”
While this verse does not specifically mention ants, it references the various pests and plagues that God used to punish the Israelites for their disobedience, including the consumption and destruction of their crops. Ants, being diligent gatherers of food, would have been affected by such plagues alongside other insects and pests. This verse serves as a reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the need for diligence and perseverance in all aspects of life.
Proverbs 14:4
“Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but from the strength of an ox comes an abundant harvest.”
While this verse does not explicitly mention ants, it emphasizes the importance of utilizing resources to the fullest. In a similar way, ants are diligent at gathering and storing food to prepare for the future. This verse serves as a reminder of the benefits of hard work and resourcefulness.
1 Kings 4:29
“God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore. Solomon’s wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the people of the East, and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt. He was wiser than anyone else, including Ethan the Ezrahite—wiser than Heman, Kalkol and Darda, the sons of Mahol. And his fame spread to all the surrounding nations. He spoke three thousand proverbs and his songs numbered a thousand and five.”
This verse does not directly mention ants, but it references the extensive wisdom that God gave to King Solomon. Ants are known for their wisdom and their ability to work together to accomplish a common goal. This verse serves as a reminder of the importance of seeking wisdom and understanding in all aspects of life.
Proverbs 16:27-30
“A worthless man plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire. A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends. A man of violence entices his neighbor and leads him in a way that is not good. Whoever winks his eyes plans dishonest things; he who purses his lips brings evil to pass.”
This verse does not mention ants directly, but it warns against behaviors that are harmful to society. Ants, on the other hand, work together and cooperate to achieve common goals. This verse serves as a reminder of the importance of working together and avoiding behaviors that harm others.
Proverbs 26:6
“Sending a message by the hands of a fool is like cutting off one’s feet or drinking poison.”
This verse does not mention ants directly, but it emphasizes the importance of effective communication. Ants use a complex system of chemical signals to communicate with one another, and this verse serves as a reminder to value clear communication with others.
Proverbs 30:28
“the lizard you can catch with the hand, yet it is in king’s palaces.”
This verse does not mention ants directly, but it emphasizes the humble nature of certain creatures despite their ability to thrive even in the grandest of settings. Ants, like the lizard, are small, yet powerful creatures that can thrive in any environment.
Ecclesiastes 10:1
“Dead flies make the perfumer’s ointment give off a stench; so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.”
This verse does not mention ants, but it emphasizes the importance of attention to detail. Ants are known for their meticulous collection and storage of food. This verse serves as a reminder of the importance of paying attention to even the smallest details.
Proverbs 25:6-7
“Do not put yourself forward in the king’s presence or stand in the place of the great; for it is better to be told, “Come up here,” than to be put lower in the presence of a noble.”
This verse does not mention ants directly, but it emphasizes the importance of humility and avoiding self-promotion. Ants work together for the good of the colony as a whole, putting aside their own individual needs and desires. This verse serves as a reminder of the importance of humility in all areas of life.
Proverbs 19:24
“The sluggard buries his hand in the dish and will not even bring it back to his mouth.”
This verse does not mention ants directly, but it emphasizes the importance of diligence and hard work. Ants are known for their industriousness and their ability to gather food for themselves and the colony. This verse serves as a reminder of the importance of working diligently and not being lazy.
Proverbs 12:11
“Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense.”
This verse does not mention ants directly, but it emphasizes the importance of hard work and diligence. Ants work tirelessly to gather food for themselves and their colony. This verse serves as a reminder that hard work and perseverance are essential to success in all areas of life.
Proverbs 10:5
“He who gathers in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who brings shame.”
This verse does not directly mention ants, but it emphasizes the importance of being prepared and diligent. Ants gather food in the summer in preparation for the lean winter months. This verse serves as a reminder to plan ahead and work hard in order to be prepared for the future.
Proverbs 29:16
“When the wicked increase, transgression increases, but the righteous will look upon their downfall.”
This verse does not directly mention ants, but it reminds us of the importance of righteousness. Ants work together for the common good of their colony, but the wicked seek to advance their own selfish interests. This verse serves as a reminder of the importance of choosing righteousness and seeking the well-being of others.
Proverbs 14:23
“All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.”
This verse does not mention ants directly, but it emphasizes the importance of hard work and diligence. Ants are known for their industriousness and their ability to gather food for themselves and their colony. This verse serves as a reminder that we must work hard and diligently in order to achieve success in all areas of life.
Proverbs 24:30-34
“I went past the field of a sluggard, past the vineyard of someone who has no sense; thorns had come up everywhere, the ground was covered with weeds, and the stone wall was in ruins. I applied my heart to what I observed and learned a lesson from what I saw: A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.”
This verse does not mention ants directly, but it emphasizes the importance of diligence and hard work. Ants work tirelessly to gather food, while the sluggard does nothing and allows his fields to become overrun with weeds. This verse serves as a reminder that we must work hard and diligently in order to achieve success and avoid poverty.
Proverbs 12:4
“A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.”
This verse does not mention ants directly, but it reminds us of the importance of a good spouse. Ants rely on cooperation and teamwork to accomplish their goals, and a good spouse can provide support and help us achieve our own goals. This verse serves as a reminder of the importance of choosing a spouse who is virtuous and supportive.
Deuteronomy 28:38-40
“You will sow much seed in the field but you will harvest little, because locusts will devour it. You will plant vineyards and cultivate them but you will not drink the wine or gather the grapes, because worms will eat them. You will have olive trees throughout your country but you will not use the oil, because the olives will drop off.”
This verse does not mention ants directly, but it reminds us of the impact that pests and plagues can have on our crops and resources. Ants work diligently to gather food, and we must also work hard to protect our resources and avoid waste. This verse serves as a reminder to use our resources wisely and protect them from harm.
Proverbs 30:28-29
“the lizard you can catch with the hand, yet it is in king’s palaces. There are three things that are stately in their stride, four that move with stately bearing.”
This verse does not directly mention ants, but it emphasizes the humble nature of certain creatures despite their ability to thrive even in the grandest of settings. Ants, like the lizard, are small, yet powerful creatures that can thrive in any environment.
What Does the Bible Say About Ants?
In the Bible, ants are mentioned specifically in two passages: Proverbs 6:6-8 and Proverbs 30:24-25. These verses use ants as examples to impart valuable life lessons and wisdom.
- Proverbs 6:6-8:
“Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.”
In this passage, ants are commended for their industrious nature and their ability to plan ahead. The writer urges readers to observe ants’ behavior and learn from their diligence, self-discipline, and foresight in preparing for the future. It encourages people to be responsible and proactive, ensuring they have enough provisions for times of need.
- Proverbs 30:24-25:
“Four things on earth are small, yet they are extremely wise: Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer.”
This verse highlights the wisdom found in seemingly insignificant creatures, like ants. Despite their small size and limited strength, they are portrayed as wise because of their ability to store food during abundant times, enabling them to survive during times of scarcity.
Both of these passages emphasize the value of hard work, foresight, and wisdom in daily living. While ants are used as examples in these verses, the underlying message is to draw inspiration from the natural world and learn important life lessons from God’s creation.