17:10

Notice the parallel parts that contrast in meaning:

10a
A rebuke cuts into a man of discernment

10b deeper than a hundred lashes cut into a fool.

In the Hebrew, there is an ellipsis in 17:10b. The Berean Standard Bible supplies the word “cuts,” but it is not present in the Hebrew. In some languages, the missing verb “cut” will need to be supplied from 17:10a, as the Berean Standard Bible models.

This proverb compares the ways that a discerning person and a fool respond to correction. A rebuke deeply affects a discerning person. Even a severe beating has little effect on a fool.

17:10a–b

A rebuke cuts into a man of discernment deeper than a hundred lashes cut into a fool: Some ways to translate this comparison are:

• Make the comparison explicit. Emphasize the greater effect of a rebuke. For example:

A single rebuke does more for a person of understanding than a hundred lashes on the back of a fool. (New Living Translation (2004))

• Make the comparison explicit. Emphasize the greater response of a sensible person. For example:

An intelligent person learns more from one rebuke than a fool learns from being beaten a hundred times. (Good News Translation)

• If this kind of comparison is difficult to understand in your language, leave the comparison implied. For example:

A sensible person accepts correction, but you can’t beat sense into a fool. (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
A single rebuke causes an intelligent person to think about what he is doing. If someone beats a fool a hundred times, he still pays no attention.

17:10a

cuts into: The verb phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as cuts into is literally “goes down into” or “penetrates.” Figuratively, this indicates that a rebuke goes down into the mind or inner being of a sensible person. Some ways to translate this figure of speech are:

• Use a similar figure of speech. For example:

A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding… (New American Standard Bible)

• Translate the meaning without using figurative language. See the Good News Translation or New Living Translation (2004) (quoted above).

man of discernment: The phrase man of discernment refers to a person who is sensible or intelligent.

17:10b

a hundred lashes: The phrase a hundred lashes is a hyperbole (deliberate exaggeration). It refers to many blows with a whip or rod. The purpose of the exaggeration is to emphasize that the fool does not respond properly to correction.

In some languages, a literal translation of this hyperbole may not express the right meaning. Another way to translate it is to use a different phrase that emphasizes the severity of the punishment. For example:

a severe beating/flogging

fool: The Hebrew word for fool (kǝsil) that is used here sometimes implies a ⌊complacent⌋ fool. Here, however, the context implies that this kind of fool is either very ⌊stupid⌋ or ⌊stubborn⌋ .

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