SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 2020

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 1:2

1:2–6

In Hebrew, the author does not address the readers directly in these verses. He merely tells the general purposes for the proverbs. For example, the Berean Standard Bible says:

for gaining wisdom…

Some other ways to address the readers are:

• Use a general word, such as “people.” For example:

Their purpose is to teach people wisdom… (New Living Translation (2004))

• Address the readers directly as “you.” For example, in 1:2 the Contemporary English Version has:

Proverbs will teach you wisdom… (Contemporary English Version)

• Use a different pronoun that is appropriate for giving advice, such as “we two” or “we all.” For example:

These proverbs will help us(incl.) to become wise…

Use a form of address that is natural in your language for an author who is giving advice to his readers.

1:2

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

2a
for gaining wisdom and discipline ;

2b
for comprehending words of insight ;

Proverbs 1:2a and 1:2b give the first two purposes or functions of the proverbs. In some languages, it may be more natural to begin these verse parts with separate sentences. For example:

2a These proverbs will help people to gain wisdom…

2b They will also help them to comprehend…

1:2a

for gaining wisdom: The Hebrew verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates here as “gain” literally means “to know.” This verb has more than one meaning. In this context, when it is used with the noun wisdom, it can be understood in two ways:

(1) It means “to gain wisdom,” that is, to become wise. For example:

to learn wisdom and moral instruction (NET Bible)

(2) It means “to learn about wisdom,” that is, to learn/understand what it means to be wise. For example:

will help you recognize wisdom and good advice (Good News Translation)

The Hebrew phrase probably has both meanings here. If you must choose between these meanings in your translation, it is recommended that you choose interpretation (1), because the main purpose of Proverbs is to influence behavior, not just to teach facts.

wisdom: The basic meaning of the Hebrew word ḥokmah, which the Berean Standard Bible translates as wisdom, is “skill” or “expertise.” In some verses in the OT, it refers to a person’s skill as a ruler, an artist, or a craftsman. In Proverbs, it usually indicates a person’s skill/ability to make good decisions, to act properly, and to do what is right in any situation.

Wisdom involves both knowledge and action. A wise person knows what is right and wrong. He understands what will lead to a good result, and he acts accordingly.

Before you decide how to translate wisdom in your language, it is recommended that you study the synonyms for wisdom in the Glossary. Compare them with all the words and expressions in your language that have similar meanings. Then decide which terms in your language correspond best with the Hebrew terms. Your language may have more or fewer terms that cover the same range of meaning as the Hebrew terms.

and discipline: The Hebrew word musar, which the Berean Standard Bible translates as discipline, refers to moral instruction or training. The purpose of this instruction is to develop the student’s ability to follow God’s laws and avoid wrong behavior. It usually involves some form of correction by someone in authority. This correction may range from warning or rebuke to punishment. Here the focus is probably on verbal instruction or correction. Some other ways to translate this word are:

moral instruction (NET Bible)
-or-
good advice (Good News Translation)
-or-
be trained how to behave correctly

In this context, the phrase “gaining…discipline” refers not only to the process of being taught, but also to the end result. The result is that a person’s moral character will be improved if he receives the instruction.

1:2b

for comprehending words of insight: The Hebrew verb used here, which the Berean Standard Bible translates as comprehending also means “understanding” or “discerning,” or “distinguishing.” So this phrase means that one of the uses of the proverbs is to help a person to discern or recognize insightful words and then to understand or correctly interpret them. The phrase words of insight refer to perceptive or insightful words or sayings. They are sayings that have profound/deep meaning. Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

for understanding words of deep meaning (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
to discern wise counsel (NET Bible)
-or-
to help them understand the insights of the wise (New Living Translation (2004))

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 2:1

Section 2:1–22

Second lesson: Wisdom will spare you from the dangers of crime and adultery

Here is a summary of the advice in this section: If you accept what I teach and seek to become wise (2:1–4), you will indeed become wise, and because of your wisdom, you will know how to revere the LORD and how to do what is right. You will also be protected (2:5–11). Wisdom will protect you from wicked men (2:12–15) and from adulterous women (2:16–19). Consequently, you will follow a righteous lifestyle and enjoy a long life in your own land, but the wicked will be forced to leave their land (2:20–22).

Some other headings for this section are:

The Benefits of Wisdom (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
The Rewards of Wisdom (Good News Translation)
-or-
The rewards/benefits that wisdom gives to people

Paragraph 2:1–4

The speech by Wisdom ends in 1:33. The father’s second lesson begins in 2:1. Verses 1–4 contains a series of “if” clauses. These clauses give the conditions for the desired results that begin in 2:5. The function of this paragraph is to give advice. The father wants his son to become wise.

In some languages, it may not be natural to have one long sentence with a series of “if” clauses. Another way to translate this information is to change the “if” clauses into commands. For example:

My child, listen to me and treasure my instructions (New Living Translation (1996))

The series of result clauses beginning with 2:5 can then be introduced with:

Then you will understand… (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
⌊If you do all these things,⌋ you will understand…

2:1–4

It is common in Hebrew parallelism for the meaning to intensify from one poetic line to the next. In the eight parallel statements in 2:1–4, each statement implies a greater degree of involvement or effort than the statement that precedes it. You should try to maintain this poetic intensification if it is meaningful in your language.

2:1

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

1a My son, if you accept my words

1b and hide my commandments within you,

The meaning of the term “commandments” in the second line is stronger or more intense than the meaning of the parallel term “words” in the first line. The verb “hide” (“treasure”) also implies greater effort than “accept.”

2:1a

My son: See the note on My son in 1:8a.

if you accept my words: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as accept often means “take” or “acquire.” In this context, to “take/acquire” the father’s words means to believe that they are true or valid. It also implies that the son should learn them and make them a part of his thoughts. Some other ways to translate this clause are:

learn what I teach you (Good News Translation)
-or-
if you take my words to heart (New Jerusalem Bible)

my words: The phrase my words should be understood as authoritative advice or teaching, because it is parallel with the phrase “my commandments” in 2:1b.

2:1b

and hide my commandments within you: The verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as hide usually means “to hide,” “treasure” or “store up.” In the context of “hiding” commands, it probably means “to memorize.” It is the same word that is used in Psalm 119:11. Some other ways to translate this meaning are:

never forget what I tell you to do (Good News Translation)
-or-
remember what I command you (New Century Version)

The verb hide also implies that the father’s commands are valuable. Many English versions use the verb “treasure” to make this idea explicit. To treasure something means to regard it as precious or valuable. For example:

treasure my commandments deep within you (Revised English Bible)

my commandments: This phrase refers here to the father’s authoritative instructions to his son in chapters 2–9.

General Comment on 2:1a–b

In languages that use parallelism, it may be possible to retain the intensification of meaning between 2:1a and 2:1b. In other languages, it may be more natural to combine and/or reorder the parallel terms. For example:

My child, you must follow and treasure my teachings and my instructions. (Contemporary English Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 3:11

Paragraph 3:11–12

3:11

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

11a My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD,

11b and do not loathe His rebuke;

3:11a–b

My son: This same phrase occurs in 3:1a.

do not reject…do not loathe: In Hebrew, the phrase do not reject means “do not refuse.” Another way to translate this phrase is:

do not ignore

In some languages, it may be preferable to use a positive equivalent for these negative commands. For example:

pay close attention (Good News Translation)

The parallel command do not loathe has a more intense meaning than the first command as it can also mean “abhor, feel repulsed by, be disgusted with.” Some other ways to translate this command are:

do not…recoil from his reproof (Revised English Bible)
-or-
don’t get angry when he corrects you (New Century Version)

the discipline of the LORD…His rebuke: The Hebrew word musar, which the Berean Standard Bible translates as discipline, refers primarily to moral instruction/training. As is common in Hebrew parallelism, the parallel term rebuke has a stronger, more specific meaning.

For more information on these two terms, see discipline and rebuke 1 in the Glossary.

General Comment on 3:11a–b

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

My son, do not turn away or become bitter when the LORD instructs or corrects you.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 4:8

4:8

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

8a
Prize her, and she will exalt you ;

8b if you embrace her, she will honor you.

Here wisdom is spoken of as if it were a woman that a person should esteem and embrace.

4:8a–b

Prize her…embrace her: The word Prize probably means:

value (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
esteem (New International Version)
-or-
cherish

The parallel word, embrace, often refers to putting one’s arms around someone as a gesture of affection. It is used of friends and relatives, and also of lovers. Another way to translate the meaning in this context is:

hold tightly to her (Contemporary English Version)

she will exalt…honor: To exalt a person means to raise him in status. Personified wisdom exalts/honors someone in the following way: If a person receives and values wisdom, wisdom will help him to develop a good character. Because of this good character, other people will honor him.

General Comment on 4:8a–b

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

If you value Wisdom and hold tightly to her, great honors will be yours. (Contemporary English Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 5:13

5:13

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

13a I did not listen to the voice of my teachers

13b or incline my ear to my mentors.

In Hebrew, these lines are arranged in the form of a chiasm. The parts in 5:13a occur in the opposite order from the parallel parts in 5:13b.

13a
I did not listen to the voice of my teachers,

13b and to my mentors I did not incline my ear.

You should use whatever order is natural in your language.

5:13a–b

I did not listen to the voice…or incline my ear: The first expression, I did not listen to the voice, is a Hebrew idiom. The parallel verb, incline my ear, is literally “turn my ear” (see the note on 4:20b). You may be able to use a different idiom for one or both of these parallel expressions to catch the reader’s attention or add emphasis in your language.

my teachers…my mentors: The word(s) you choose to translate teachers and mentors should be appropriate to describe anyone who gives moral advice or instruction, including the young man’s father. It should not refer only to schoolteachers.

General Comment on 5:13a–b

This verse continues the young man’s words of remorse that began in 5:12. In some languages, the most effective way to do this will be to use statements, as the Berean Standard Bible has done. In other languages, it may be more effective to use rhetorical questions. For example:

Oh, why didn’t I listen to my teachers? Why didn’t I pay attention to those who gave me instruction? (New Living Translation (1996))

In other languages, it may be preferable to combine and/or reorder the parallel parts. Make sure not to lose the emphasis. See the Display for 5:13a–b (combined/reordered) for different ways of doing this.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 6:22

6:22

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

22a
When you walk, they will guide you ;

22b
when you lie down, they will watch over you ;

22c
when you awake, they will speak to you.

In this verse, the parents’ teachings are personified as a constant guide, guardian, and adviser for the young man.

6:22a

When you walk: In this context, the clause When you walk means to go about from place to place while doing one’s daily tasks. It does not mean “walk” in contrast to some other way of moving, nor is the meaning limited to “when you travel” (Good News Translation). The meaning is better expressed by:

while you are active (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
during the day

they will guide you: The parents’ instruction is described as a guide who walks ahead of the young man to show him the right path to take.

6:22b

when you lie down: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as lie down means to lie down in order to go to sleep. The Good News Translation uses neither of these verbs. It expresses the same meaning by focusing on the time when most people sleep. It has:

at night

they will watch over you: Parental teaching is personified as a night watchman or guard who protects people from harm or danger.

6:22c

when you awake, they will speak to you: The phrase speak to you refers to advice, not to mere conversation. When the young man wakes up in the morning, the lessons he has learned from his parents will be with him like a companion to advise him.

General Comment on 6:22a–c

You are encouraged to use personification if possible, but if it is not natural in your language, here are some other options:

• Use similes. For example:

As you go about your daily activities, your parents’ teaching will be like a guide who shows you the right path to take. At night their teaching will be like a guard who protects you from danger. And when you wake up again in the morning, their words will still be in your mind, like a constant companion who offers you good advice.

• If figurative language is not possible, translate the meaning without using a figure of speech. For example:

If you do this, you will have a good basis for making decisions as you go from place to place during the day. Following their instruction will also protect you from things that might harm you as you sleep. And when you wake up again, their words will still be there in your mind as a source of good advice.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 7:19

7:19

In this verse, the second line adds more information that clarifies the meaning of the first line.

19a For my husband is not at home;

19b he has gone on a long journey.

7:19a-b

For my husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey: This verse begins with a word that the Berean Standard Bible and New Revised Standard Version translate as For. This word introduces the reason why the young man should accept the woman’s invitation in 7:18. The New International Version and Good News Translation leave this word implicit. Introduce this reason in a natural way in your language.

my husband: The phrase that the Berean Standard Bible and most English versions translate as my husband is literally “the man.” This is not the usual expression that women used for their husbands. A number of scholars feel that it may indicate an attitude of alienation or contempt. If your language has an expression that would indicate this kind of attitude, you may use it here.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 8:24

8:24

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

24a
When there were no watery depths, I was brought forth,

24b
when no springs were overflowing with water.

8:24a–b

When there were no watery depths…when no springs were overflowing with water: These clauses both specify the time when Wisdom was given birth. It was when there were still no watery depths (literally, “depths,” as in the New Revised Standard Version) or springs. In other words, it was before “oceans” and “springs” were created. The springs are described as overflowing with water. Choose an expression in your language that refers to plentiful or abundant water.

8:24a

I was brought forth: This clause is a figurative way to indicate that the LORD brought Wisdom into existence. Many English versions, such as the New Jerusalem Bible, translate this as:

I was born (New Jerusalem Bible)

The same verb is repeated in 8:25 for the sake of emphasis. You are encouraged to use the same expression in both verses if such repetition will also convey emphasis in your language.

The clause I was brought forth is passive. If stative or passive clauses are not natural in your language, you may need to use an active clause. For example:

the LORD gave birth to me

In languages where such an expression would be understood as some kind of literal birth, it may be clearer to translate this as:

the LORD created me
-or-
the LORD caused me to exist

General Comment on 8:24a–b

In some languages, it may be more natural to combine and/or reorder the parallel parts. See the Display for 8:24a–b (combined/reordered).

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 2020

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 1:2

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 2:1

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 3:11

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 4:8

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 5:13

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 6:22

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 7:19

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 8:24

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