10:27

Notice the parallel parts that contrast in meaning:

27a
The fear of the LORD prolongs life,

27b but the years of the wicked will be cut short.

10:27a–b

The fear of the LORD prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be cut short: This verse states a general principle. It indicates that a person who fears the LORD will live longer than he normally would. In contrast, a wicked person will die prematurely.

prolongs life…the years of the wicked: In Hebrew, the first phrase is literally “adds days.” Both “days” and years refer to a person’s life or life span. For example:

If you respect the Lord, you will live longer; if you keep doing wrong, your life will be cut short. (Contemporary English Version)

10:27a

The fear of the LORD prolongs life: In this line, The fear of the LORD is personified. It is described as a person who performs an action. The whole line means that a person who fears the LORD will live longer. Some other ways to translate this line are:

• Keep the personification. For example:

Fearing the Lord prolongs life (NET Bible)

• Translate the meaning without the figure of speech. For example:

If you respect the Lord, you will live longer (Contemporary English Version)

The fear of the LORD: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as fear indicates both real fear and reverential awe. It also involves submitting to the LORD and obeying him. Most English versions translate only one aspect of the meaning. For example:

If you respect the Lord (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Obey the Lord (Good News Translation)

If possible, you should choose a word or words that express at least two aspects of the meaning. For example:

If you respect and obey the LORD
-or-
Fear and respect the LORD

See the note on 1:7a.

10:27b

but the years of the wicked will be cut short: The verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as will be cut short is literally “will be short.” But it is implied by the parallelism that the life span of a wicked person will be shorter than normal. Some other ways to express this meaning are:

but the years of wicked people are shortened (God’s Word)
-or-
The wicked die before their time. (Good News Translation)

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