15:11
In this verse, 15:11b gives a conclusion based on 15:11a. Since 15:11a is true, it is even more obvious that 15:11b is true.
11a Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD—
11b how much more the hearts of men!
See 11:31 for a list of other verses in Proverbs that have this kind of reasoning.
15:11a–b
Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD—how much more the hearts of men!: The implied reasoning here is as follows:
(a) The LORD ⌊is able to do something that is very difficult. He⌋ observes everything that happens in the ⌊hidden⌋ world of the dead.
(b) So ⌊obviously⌋ he is even more able ⌊to do something that is easier. He can look into⌋ the hearts (minds) of ⌊living⌋ people ⌊with whom he frequently communicates⌋ .
In some languages, it may be necessary to make some of the implied reasoning explicit. Some English versions make the contrast between the dead and the living explicit. For example:
11a The Lord knows what is happening in the world of the dead,
11b so he surely knows the thoughts of the living. (New Century Version)
15:11a
Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD: The words that the Berean Standard Bible translates here as Sheol and Abaddon are both names in the OT for the world/place of the dead. The name Abaddon comes from a word that means “to perish.” It has the connotation “place of destruction.”
lie open before: The word that the Berean Standard Bible translates here as lie open before means “are in front of” or “are in full view of.” So the whole line means that the LORD observes or knows everything that happens in the place of the dead.
There are several ways to translate these names. It is suggested that you add a footnote with any of these options:
• Keep the names. Use whatever spelling is appropriate for your language. For example:
Sheol and Abaddon (Revised Standard Version)
A suggested footnote is:
Sheol and Abaddon are two names in the OT for the world/place of the dead.
• Use two terms that give the meaning of the names. Capitalize these terms if it will help your readers understand that these are places rather than abstract nouns. For example:
Death and Destruction (New Living Translation (2004))
A suggested footnote is:
What is written in Hebrew is: “Sheol and Abaddon.” These were two names for the world/place of the dead. The meaning of Abaddon is Destruction.
• Combine the two names into one general expression, since they both refer to the same place. For example:
the world of the dead (Good News Translation)
A suggested footnote is:
What is written in Hebrew is “Sheol and Abaddon.” These were two names for the world of the dead.
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