Besides brings us to the term yother from the root ytr. Its meaning is “something additional.” We can translate it as a marker, in which case we can simply say “Note:…”; or we can say “In addition.”

Being wise: see comments on 8.1. Literally this is “a wise man” or “a sage.”

Preacher: refer to the discussion on 1.1.

Suggested translations of the opening words:

• Note: Qoheleth was a wise man.

• Now, in addition, Qoheleth was a sage.

Also taught the people knowledge: here is the first qualification for any sage or truly wise person; he is someone who taught others. The object of his teaching was knowledge. In this book knowledge often parallels “wisdom”; however, consult the notes on 1.16 for a brief discussion of the difference between them. The Hebrew particle is here given as also, but it may have the sense that he constantly or regularly taught. Hence Good News Translation says “he kept on teaching the people.” New English Bible thinks “he continued to teach,” but the best translation may be “he always taught….”

Weighing and studying and arranging proverbs: the wise teacher had other responsibilities such as collecting and evaluating the sayings and experiences of others, whether they were Israelite sages or wise men from other countries. These three verbs weighing, studying, arranging, take us to the heart of the sage’s work. Weighing suggests the measuring process. In this context it may mean that he paid close attention to literary details and how things were expressed. It can also refer to the way he tested the truth of a saying. Studying comes from the root that means “search out,” possibly referring to his observation of life and the search for sayings that dealt with those situations. The third verb is arranging, and this must speak of an editorial activity, the collecting and assembling of material. Jerusalem Bible understands this latter to mean “amend,” but New English Bible may have the best suggestion, “how to best set them out.”

It may be quite a challenge in some languages to find terms similar to each of these activities. It will therefore be important for the translator to choose words that can be used with the word proverbs and that can describe the full range of activities outlined here. It may be that longer descriptive phrases will be required, or we may even have to combine several activities in the one expression. Good News Translation is one version that does this: “He studied proverbs and honestly tested their truth.” However, since the three verbs describe different aspects of the sage’s work, we recommend that the three verbs be retained if at all possible.

Proverbs aptly describes the kinds of sayings we find in the book of Proverbs. Translators can use a word that applies to “traditional teachings,” “wise sayings,” or “what the elders teach,” whether or not they are in some fixed form of saying like proverbs. In some languages there may be only one word to describe a wide range of oral forms, for example “proverb,” or “folktale.” Despite its wide reference such a term can be used in the translation at this point, especially if it also includes proverbs of the type found in the Old Testament.

With great care is the Hebrew adverb “much, many.” The question is whether Revised Standard Version with great care is an adequate translation. From the point of view of grammar it would be more correct to understand it as an adjective describing proverbs, so we ought to say “many proverbs.” This is the conclusion of Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible, and New Revised Standard Version.

Translation of the second part of the verse can be:

• He carefully wrote, researched, and arranged many proverbs.

• He tested ideas, as well as collecting and recording the teachings of the elders.

Quoted with permission from Ogden, Graham S. and Zogbo, Lynell. A Handbook on the Book of Ecclesiates. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1997. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .