14:4

The English Standard Version has been used as the source line for 14:4a because it follows the recommended interpretation. Notice the parallel parts that contrast in meaning:

4a Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean,

4b but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.

This verse implies that a person who owns no oxen will have the small advantage of a clean manger. Also, he will not have to feed or care for any animals. However, without a strong ox to help with the farm work, he will not enjoy the big advantage of a plentiful harvest.

14:4a

(English Standard Version) Where there are no oxen: The word that the English Standard Version translates as oxen can refer to either male or female oxen or cattle. It can also represent any animal that is used for working in the fields. Such work included pulling a plow or wagon or helping to thresh the grain.

In some languages, the logical connection between oxen, a clean feeding trough, and an abundant harvest may not be clear. To help the readers understand the connection, you may want to make explicit the implied information that oxen were used for work in the fields. For example:

If you have no oxen ⌊to help do the work⌋

(English Standard Version) the manger is clean: There is a textual issue in this clause. (The interpretation issue of “clean” or “empty” will be discussed following the textual issue.). In Hebrew, the word bar can mean either “pure/clean” or “grain.”

(1) The Masoretic Text has ʾebus bar, literally “manger clean.” For example:

the feeding trough is clean (NET Bible)

(2) Some scholars think that the original text had ʾepes bar, literally “no grain.” For example:

there can be no crop (Contemporary English Version)

It is recommended that you follow option (1), along with the LXX and most versions.

(English Standard Version) manger: The Hebrew word that the English Standard Version translates as manger refers specifically to a feeding trough or feedbox. For example:

the feeding trough (God’s Word)

If people in your area do not use a feeding trough, you may use a more general word or phrase that refers to a place to store grain or fodder for feeding the animals. For example:

the barn (New Century Version)
-or-
the granary
-or-
the place where you store food for the animals

(English Standard Version) clean: There are two ways to interpret the Hebrew word that the English Standard Version translates here as clean :

(1) It means that the feedbox or storage area is clean. There is no manure or anything else to make it dirty. For example:

the feeding trough is clean (NET Bible)
-or-
a stable stays clean (New Living Translation (2004))

(2) The word “clean” implies “empty.” There is no grain or other animal food stored there. For example:

the feeding trough is empty (God’s Word)
-or-
your barn will be empty (Good News Translation)

Both interpretations are well supported by English versions. Many scholars point out that there is little practical difference between them and that each interpretation implies the other. It is recommended that you translate in a way that combines both interpretations. For example:

the place where you put food for the animals will be empty and clean

See the meaning lines in the Display for two other examples that combine the interpretations. If you prefer to follow one interpretation, choose the interpretation that

(a) makes good sense to people in your language area and

(b) forms a logical contrast with 14:4b.

14:4b

but an abundant harvest comes through the strength of the ox: There are two ways to interpret the word harvest :

(1) It refers to crops that are harvested. For example:

abundant crops (English Standard Version)

(2) It refers to money from the sale of crops that are harvested. For example:

much cash (New Jerusalem Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), along with most versions and scholars. There is no evidence that the Hebrew word for harvest refers to money from the sale of crops.

In some languages, it is not natural to say that a harvest comes from the strength of the ox. Some other ways to express the meaning are:

But with a strong ox, much grain can be grown. (New Century Version)
-or-
but an abundant harvest is produced by strong oxen (NET Bible)
-or-
but you need a strong ox for a large harvest (New Living Translation (2004))

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