22:2
In this proverb, the second line further explains the meaning of the first line.
2a Rich and poor have this in common:
2b The LORD is the Maker of them all.
22:2a
The rich and the poor have this in common: In Hebrew, this clause is literally “The rich and the poor meet together,” as in the English Standard Version. There are two ways to interpret this clause:
(1) Rich and poor people figuratively meet together. They have a common similarity or characteristic. For example:
The rich and poor are alike (New Century Version)
(2) Rich and poor people literally meet together. As they live together in a community, they have social contact with one another. For example:
Rich and poor rub shoulders (New Jerusalem Bible)
It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). Most scholars think that this is probably the intended meaning. It fits better with the explanation in 22:2b that the LORD made both rich and poor.
However, many scholars think that interpretation (2) is at least possible, because it is true in daily life. So you may want to give interpretation (2) in a footnote. A suggested footnote is:
In Hebrew, it says, “Rich and poor people meet together.” Some scholars think that this refers to times when rich and poor people see or talk with one another in their community. Most scholars think that this refers to the similarity between rich and poor people.
22:2b
The LORD is Maker of them all: This clause explains what the rich and poor have in common. They are similar in that all people, both rich and poor, were made by the LORD. Some other ways to translate this clause are:
in that the Lord made them all (New Century Version)
-or-
The Lord made them both (New Living Translation (2004))
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