16:32
Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:
32a
He who is slow to anger is better than a warrior,
32b and he who controls his temper is greater than one who captures a city.
In the Hebrew, the second line is not a complete sentence but literally says, “and he who rules his spirit than the one who captures a city” (see the New International Version). In some languages, the implied word “better” may need to be supplied from the first line. For example:
32b
⌊better⌋ a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city.
This “better than” proverb has the same structure as the proverb in 16:16. See the note there for more details on this kind of proverb.
The overall meaning is that a patient man who controls his temper is better than a warrior who conquers a city. It implies that self-control is more important than the ability to conquer others. It does not imply that it is bad to be a warrior who conquers a city.
16:32a–b
He who is slow to anger…he who controls his temper: The phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as He who is slow to anger refers to someone who does not easily or quickly become angry. Such a person is able to control his anger (see the note on 14:29a). The phrase translated as controls his temper is literally “rules his spirit.” It refers to someone who is able to control his emotions, and especially his anger/temper. So both phrases have almost the same meaning.
than a warrior…than one who captures a city: The word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as a warrior refers to someone who is especially strong or can accomplish great deeds. A good English equivalent is the word “hero” (Contemporary English Version). The phrase one who captures a city refers to a soldier who defeats and captures a city in a battle.
Some other ways to translate the parallel lines of this verse are:
Patience is better than strength. Controlling your temper is better than capturing a city. (New Century Version)
-or-
Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city. (New Living Translation (2004))
General Comment on 16:32a–b
In some languages, it may be more natural to combine and/or reorder the parallel parts. For example:
Controlling your temper is better than being a hero who captures a city. (Contemporary English Version)
See also 16:32a–b (combined/reordered) in the Display.
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