Proverbs 30:28

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 Sauraare 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.