For a blameless man was quick to act as their champion: The blameless man is Aaron; see Num 16.47-48. Joining this verse to the previous verse would give us “But this disaster did not last long, 21because a blameless man quickly took action to defend them [or, quickly did something that would save them].”

He brought forward the shield of his ministry, prayer and propitiation by incense: The word translated shield describes a weapon, either offensive or defensive. Here it is defensive, so shield is well chosen. The meaning of this figure of speech is that prayer and the offering of incense are Aaron’s defensive weapons; they are like a shield that protects the people. His ministry refers to his function as priest. Propitiation by incense refers to the use of incense in rituals of atonement; compare Lev 16.12-13. Incense is an aromatic substance that was used in sacrifices. In cultures where incense and similar spices are unknown, translators may use a general term; for example, “sweet smelling things” or even “grasses that smell good when burned.” Possible alternative models for these two lines are “He protected them as their priest, by praying and burning the incense used in asking for forgiveness of sins,” “Acting as their priest, he protected them by praying…,” and even “Acting as their priest, he prayed and used incense like a shield to protect your people from punishment for [or, from the angel punishing them] for their sins.”

He withstood the anger and put an end to the disaster, showing that he was thy servant may be rendered “He stood up against the threat [or, epidemic] and ended the disaster. This [act] showed that he was your servant.”

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on The Wisdom of Solomon. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2004. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.