22:5
This proverb contrasts a wicked person with a person who guards his life. A wicked person follows a path that is filled with various kinds of obstacles and dangers. In contrast, a person who guards his life is careful to avoid that kind of path, along with the dangers associated with it.
5a
Thorns and snares lie on the path of the perverse
5b
he who guards his soul stays far from them.
22:5a
Thorns and snares lie on the path of the perverse: There is a textual issue here:
(1) The Masoretic Text (MT) has “thorns and snares.” For example:
Thorns and snares (English Standard Version)
(2) Based on the Syriac translation, some scholars think that the original text was “traps and snares.” For example:
Snares and pitfalls (Revised English Bible)
It is recommended that you follow option (1), along with most versions. This text is supported by the Greek translation (LXX).
The main argument against option (1) is that “thorns” do not seem compatible with “snares.” In favor of option (1) is the argument that “thorns” are a natural danger, whereas “traps” are a man-made danger. So actually, they make an appropriate pair. Also, the idea of “thorns” in the path occurs in 15:19.
Verse 22:5a has more than one metaphor. The life and conduct of a wicked person are compared to a path that is blocked with thorns and snares. The thorns and snares represent the difficulties and dangers that a wicked person faces due to the wrong choices he has made. Some ways to translate these metaphors are:
• Keep the metaphors. For example:
Thorns and snares are in the path of the perverse (NET Bible)
-or-
Corrupt people walk a thorny, treacherous road (New Living Translation (2004))
• Change one or more of the metaphors to a simile. For example:
Evil people’s lives are like paths covered with thorns and traps. (New Century Version)
Thorns: This word probably refers to thorn bushes or bramble bushes that could block a person’s path.
snares: This word was last used in 7:23b. It refers to a net or trap that was used to catch birds.
the perverse: In Hebrew, this word refers to a person who is morally defective, crooked, or twisted. See the note on the phrase “The perverse” in 11:20a.
22:5b
he who guards his soul stays far from them: In Hebrew, this clause does not begin with a conjunction. Some English versions leave the relationship implied. For example:
whoever values his life will stay at a distance (New Jerusalem Bible)
he who guards his soul: The phrase guards his soul means “protects or preserves his life.” A person who guards his life values it. He is cautious and is careful to protect himself from trouble or danger. Some other ways to translate this phrase are:
whoever values life (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
People who guard themselves (New Century Version)
-or-
A person who wants to preserve/protect his life
The same phrase (“guards his soul/life”) also occurs in 13:3a, 16:17b, and 19:16a. See the notes in those verses for more translation advice.
stays far from them: The plural pronoun them refers back to “thorns and snares.” A person who values and protects his life stays far away from the dangers that face a wicked person. It is implied that he also avoids taking the same path as wicked people.
Some other ways to translate this phrase are:
will stay at a distance (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
will avoid it (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
will stay far away from that dangerous path
General Comment on 22:5a–b
In some languages, it may be more natural to reword these two lines as “if” clauses. For example:
5a If you are a wicked person, many thorn bushes and snares will block your path.
5b If you value your life, you will avoid these dangers.
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