“A king’s wrath is like the growling of a lion”: For a similar image of a king see 16.14. The king’s anger is here thought of as threatening and so is compared with the “growling of a lion”. The word for the noise that a lion makes is translated “growling” by Revised Standard Version and New Revised Standard Version, whereas most others render it “roar” or “roaring.” The important point in this simile is that the noise that a lion makes inspires fear in those who hear it; and translators should use a term or expression that is appropriate for that sense. One translation, for example, says “. . . a lion which is coming to eat you.” In languages where lions and their growling are unknown, it will often be necessary to shift to an equivalent wild animal or to say, for example, “The anger of a king is like the roar of a fierce animal.”

“But his favor is like dew upon the grass”: “Favor” contrasts with “wrath” in line 1 and means “goodness” or “kindness.” For a king’s “favor” see 16.15. “Dew” is moisture that forms on cool surfaces when the temperature drops in the night. In the hot season in the eastern Mediterranean region the dew kept plants from drying up and so was considered a gift from God. See Gen 27.28 for use of the term “dew” in the blessing given to Jacob by Isaac. Good News Translation “welcome rain” has altered the biblical figure, perhaps unnecessarily.

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Proverbs. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .