19:11
11a A man’s insight gives him patience,
11b and his virtue is to overlook an offense.
These parallel lines describe the close connection between a person’s wisdom and his ability to be patient with someone who has offended him. When he overlooks an offense, people consider it to be a virtue that deserves praise or respect.
19:11a
A man’s insight gives him patience: There are two main ways to express the specific relationship between a person’s wisdom and his patience:
• A person’s wisdom gives him patience. His patience is a result of his wisdom. For example:
Good sense makes one slow to anger (English Standard Version)
-or-
A person’s insight causes him to be patient
• A person who is wise is patient. For example:
Those with good sense are slow to anger (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
A person with good sense is patient (God’s Word)
-or-
If you are sensible, you will control your temper. (Good News Translation)
You may follow either of these options. There is little practical difference between them.
insight: The Hebrew word śekel, which the Berean Standard Bible translates here as insight, refers to a person’s good sense, prudence, or wisdom.
gives him patience: In Hebrew, this phrase is literally “makes long his anger.” The phrase here indicates that a sensible person does not react quickly in anger. His good sense enables him to restrain or control his anger and to be patient. The phrase does not mean that a wise person holds a grudge or remains angry for a long time.
19:11b
and his virtue is to overlook an offense: In Hebrew, this line is literally “and his glory ⌊is⌋ to pass over a transgression.” There are three ways to interpret the meaning of his virtue and its connection with overlooking an offense:
(1) “His glory” means “the reason/basis for his receiving honor.” A wise person is honored or praised by other people because he overlooks an offense. For example:
To overlook an offence brings glory. (Revised English Bible)
-or-
they earn respect by overlooking wrongs (New Living Translation (2004))
(2) “His glory” means “his praiseworthy character.” One of the virtues of a wise person is that he overlooks an offense. For example:
When someone wrongs you, it is a great virtue to ignore it. (Good News Translation)
(3) “His glory” means “he considers it an honor ” or “he takes pride” in overlooking an offense. For example:
Good sense makes…for pride in overlooking an offence. (New Jerusalem Bible)
It is recommended that you follow interpretations (1) or (2). These interpretations are more consistent with descriptions of a sensible person elsewhere in Proverbs. The Display follows interpretation (1).
to overlook an offense: The verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as to overlook often means “to pass by” or “to pass over.” Here it is used figuratively. It means “ignore,” “overlook,” or “forgive.” The noun offense refers here to a deliberate crime or wrong deed. This offense was probably committed against the wise person.
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