31:23

31:23

Both lines describe her husband’s respected status as one of the elders. The underlined parallel parts are similar in meaning. The parallel parts in bold print imply that the elders represent a wider area than the city itself.

23a Her husband is known at the city gate,

23b where he sits among the elders of the land.

31:23a

Her husband is known at the city gate: The word known implies that he is respected. The city gate was the place where the leaders met to discuss problems and judge cases. Some other ways to translate this line are:

• Keep the reference to the city gate. Add a footnote if needed to explain the significance. For example:

Her husband is well-known at the city gates (New Living Translation (2004))

Suggested footnote: The gate of the city was a place where the leaders met to talk about problems and decide legal cases. The residents often attended these meetings.

• Translate the significance of the city gate. For example:

Her husband is known at the city meetings (New Century Version)

31:23b

where he sits among the elders of the land: This line means that he is actively involved in the political and judicial business of the area as one of the city elders.

land: The Hebrew word for land often refers to a country. Here it probably refers to a wider area, such as a district or region. People came into the city from the wider area to get advice or discuss their problems with the elders.

where he makes decisions as one of the leaders of the land (New Century Version)
-or-
where he takes his seat with the elders of the region (Revised English Bible)

General Comment on 31:23a–b

In some languages, it may be more natural to combine and/or reorder these parallel lines. For example:

Her husband is a well-known and respected leader in the city. (Contemporary English Version)

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