SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 2020

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 5:21

Paragraph 5:21–23

5:21

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning. They form a chiasm. The parts in 5:21a occur in the opposite order from the parallel parts in 5:21b.

21a For a man’s ways are before the eyes of the LORD,

21b and the LORD examines all his paths.

In Hebrew, the lines are also arranged in the form of a chiasm, but the parallel parts occur in the opposite order.

21a For before the eyes of the LORD are a man’s ways,

21b and all his paths the LORD examines.

5:21a–b

For: The word For introduces another reason not to commit adultery. This verse and the following two verses also serve as a conclusion for the whole chapter. They apply to any sin, not just adultery.

a man’s ways are before the eyes of the LORD, and the LORD examines all his paths: The parallel phrases before the eyes and examines refer figuratively to the LORD’s knowledge. The parallel phrases a man’s ways and his paths are also figures of speech. They refer to a person’s deeds or conduct. Both parts of the verse mean that the LORD knows everything that a person does.

The LORD’s sight and man’s paths are both figures of speech that occur frequently in the OT. Because of this, you are encouraged to keep at least part of the figurative language, if you can do so without giving any wrong meaning. For example:

The Lord sees everything you do. Wherever you go, he is watching. (Good News Translation)

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 6:30

6:30

This verse does not have parallel lines.

Men do not despise the thief: There are two ways to interpret this clause:

(1) It means that people do not despise a thief. For example:

People attach but little blame to a thief (New Jerusalem Bible)

(2) It means that people do indeed despise a thief. This may be expressed as a rhetorical question or as a statement. For example:

Do not men despise a thief? (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
We don’t put up with thieves (Contemporary English Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), along with a majority of versions and scholars. This interpretation preserves the contrast between the lesser evil of stealing and the greater evil of adultery. Also, the second interpretation does not follow normal Hebrew grammatical patterns for questions.

The point of the verse is that people may sympathize with a starving thief who steals food, but they will still punish him, as the next verse states.

In some languages, it may be more effective to change the negative statement “people do not despise a thief” into a rhetorical question. For example:

Do people despise a thief…? Of course not!

Notice that this rhetorical question has the same meaning as interpretation (1).

do not despise: The word despise means to show contempt for someone or to think of him in a belittling way. To “not despise the thief” may be expressed in various ways. For example:

Excuses might be found for a thief… (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
people don’t hate a thief… (New Century Version)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 7:27

7:27

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

27a Her house is the road to Sheol,

27b
descending to the chambers of death.

There is an ellipsis in 7:27b. In some languages, it may be necessary to supply the missing words from 7:27a. For example:

27b
⌊the road⌋ descending to the chambers of death.

7:27a

Her house is the road to Sheol: In Hebrew, the phrase road to Sheol is literally “ways of Sheol.” The plural “ways” may indicate that many roads lead from her house to Sheol, the world of the dead. Most English versions, however, do not specify the plural. This figurative language means that if a man enters her house, he begins a pattern of behavior that will lead him in one way or another to death. The Good News Translation expresses this well:

If you go to her house, you are on the way to the world of the dead. (Good News Translation)

7:27b

descending: The Hebrew verb translated as descending reflects the OT view of Sheol as a place located down inside the earth. The Good News Translation does not make this explicit.

7:27a–b

Sheol, descending to the chambers of death: Both of these phrases refer to Sheol, the world or place of the dead. The phrase translated here as chambers of death seems to describe the world of the dead as a house with many rooms, and the woman’s house is the entrance. However, in poetry, chambers may be a figure of speech (synecdoche) that refers to the whole place. So the Good News Translation has simply “death,” and the Contemporary English Version combines both phrases as “the world of the dead.”

For more information on how to translate “the grave” or “Sheol,” see the note on 1:12a.

General Comment on 7:27a–b

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

Her house is like a road that leads down to the place of the dead.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 8:32

Paragraph 8:32–36

This paragraph concludes Wisdom’s speech with a final appeal that people follow her teaching. If they do, they will be blessed with life and with the LORD’s favor. If they refuse, the result will be harm and death.

8:32a

Now therefore, my sons, listen to me: In giving her concluding appeal, Wisdom addresses her audience as my sons. The phrase Now therefore introduces a conclusion that is based on the preceding description of Wisdom’s good qualities and high status. Another way to introduce this conclusion is:

And so, my children (New Living Translation (2004))

listen: See the note on 1:8a.

8:32b

for blessed are those who keep my ways: In this line Wisdom introduces the motivation or reason for listening to her appeal. It is because those who follow her advice are blessed. In some languages, the relationship between 8:32a and 8:32b may be clear without an explicit conjunction. In other languages, a word such as “because/for” may need to be made explicit.

The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as blessed more accurately means “happy,” as in the New Revised Standard Version, Good News Translation, and several other English versions. It is not the same Hebrew word that is used when a person is blessed by the LORD.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 10:10

10:10

Notice the parallel parts that contrast in meaning. The New Revised Standard Version has been used as the source line for 10:10b, because it follows the textual recommendation.

10a
He who winks the eye causes grief,

10b but the one who rebukes buldly makes peace. (New Revised Standard Version)

10:10a

He who winks the eye: In Hebrew, this phrase is literally “⌊one who⌋ winks an eye.” Scholars do not know exactly what this action implied to the original readers.

The context may be the same as 6:13a–c (see the note there). In that context, a person winks at his companions to indicate that he intends to deceive or harm someone else. This may be the reason that the New International Version supplies the word “maliciously.”

causes grief: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as grief usually refers to mental pain, grief, or sorrow. Another way to translate this meaning is:

causes heartache (God’s Word)

However, in this context, it may refer to trouble or strife. For example, the New Revised Standard Version and some other English versions have:

causes trouble (New Revised Standard Version)

Both of these meanings fit the context and are well supported. You may use either one.

If winking does not imply malicious or deceptive intentions in your language, some translation options are:

• Make the meaning of the action explicit. For example:

A person who winks ⌊to show that his intentions are bad⌋ causes sorrow/trouble.

• Use a general term rather than a specific action. For example:

If someone signals/gestures that he is going to do something bad, trouble/grief will be the result.

• Translate the significance of winking without mentioning the action itself. For example:

Deceit causes trouble (Contemporary English Version)

10:10b

(New Revised Standard Version) but the one who rebukes boldly makes peace: There is a textual difference in this line:

(1) The LXX has: “He who rebukes candidly makes peace.” For example:

but one who openly criticizes works for peace (Good News Translation)

(2) The Masoretic Text (MT) has: “and a fool of lips will be thrown down.” In the MT, this line is identical to 10:8b. For example:

and foolish talk will bring you to ruin (Contemporary English Version)

It is recommended that you follow option (1), because it follows the pattern of antithetical proverbs found throughout this section. If you use footnotes, you may want to add a footnote that gives the MT. For example:

This is what the Septuagint (LXX) says. The Hebrew (Masoretic Text) says: “and a person who speaks foolishly will ruin his life.”

(New Revised Standard Version) the one who rebukes boldly makes peace: This line means that if a person openly or frankly reprimands someone else for doing wrong, peaceful or harmonious relationships will be restored. Another way to translate this clause is:

a frank rebuke promotes peace (Revised English Bible)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 11:10

11:10

This verse focuses on the contrasting things (bold print) that happen to the righteous and the wicked. Righteous people prosper, but wicked people perish. When these things occur, there are similar consequences in their community (italics). In both cases, people respond with joy.

10a When the righteous thrive, the city rejoices ;

10b and when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.

11:10a

When the righteous thrive: This phrase describes the situation when righteous people thrive, do well, or succeed. Another way to translate this phrase is:

When people who do what is right succeed

the city rejoices: The word city is a figure of speech (metonymy). It represents the townmates of the righteous. Another way to translate this figure of speech is:

everyone in the city where they live is happy

11:10b

when the wicked perish: The word perish can mean “are ruined” (for example, materially). But here it probably means “die,” as in several English versions. For example:

When evil people die (New Century Version)

there are shouts of joy: In some languages, it may be more natural to express this as a verb clause. For example:

they shout for joy (New Living Translation (2004))

General Comment on 11:10a–b

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

When righteous people prosper and the wicked die, all their townmates celebrate and shout with joy.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 12:11

12:11

Notice the parallel parts that contrast in meaning:

11a
He who works his land will have plenty of food,

11b
but whoever chases fantasies lacks judgment.

The main contrast is between a hard-working farmer and a person who spends his time doing worthless things. Having abundant food and lacking judgment do not directly contrast. To “have plenty of food” is a desirable result. “Lacks judgment” is an undesirable mental condition. This verse is identical to 28:19 except for the last half of the second line.

12:11a

The one who works his land will have plenty of food: The phrase works his land refers to any kind of work that a farmer does in his field or garden. It includes planting, cultivating, and harvesting. It implies that the farmer works diligently. The result is that he will have plenty to eat. Another way to translate this line is:

A hard-working farmer has plenty to eat (Good News Translation)

12:11b

whoever chases fantasies: The phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as chases fantasies is literally “pursues worthless ⌊things⌋ .” The Hebrew text does not specify what is worthless. In this context, it is probably a worthless goal, plan, or project. Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

those who follow worthless pursuits (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
the one who chases unrealistic dreams (God’s Word)

lacks judgment: This phrase refers to a person who lacks common sense and makes foolish decisions.

In some languages, it may be more natural to change the order of the parts in this line. For example:

but it is stupid to waste time on useless projects (Good News Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 13:15

13:15

The New Revised Standard Version has been used as the source line for 13:15b, since it follows the recommended text and interpretation. Notice the parallel parts that contrast in meaning:

15a
Good understanding wins favor,

15b but the way of the faithless is their ruin.

13:15a

Good understanding: In Hebrew, this phrase refers to the good sense, practical insight, or wise conduct that results from carefully evaluating a situation. A person who has understanding (Hebrew śekel) is able to understand the different aspects of a problem and to think of a helpful solution.

Good understanding is described here as if it were a person who wins favor with other people. In some languages, it may not be natural to use personification in this way. Another way to translate this is:

A person with good sense (New Living Translation (2004))

wins favor: This phrase indicates that other people have a positive or favorable opinion about someone who shows good judgment. Other ways to translate this are:

is respected (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
will be well liked (New Century Version)

13:15b

(New Revised Standard Version) but the way of the faithless is their ruin: There are differences in text and interpretation here:

(1) The LXX, Syriac, Vulgate, and Targum have “their ruin/calamity.” For example:

a treacherous person is headed for destruction (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
but the way of the treacherous is their ruin (English Standard Version)

(2) The Masoretic Text (MT) has a word that usually means “enduring/permanent,” with a positive connotation. Here the meaning of this word is uncertain. Most English versions that follow the MT translate this word as “hard.” For example:

but the way of the treacherous is hard (New Jerusalem Bible)

It is recommended that you follow option (1), along with most scholars. As it stands, the Masoretic Text does not form a good parallel with 13:15a. Furthermore, there are no other examples in the OT where this word means “enduring” in the sense of an unchanging character trait.

the way of the faithless: For the word faithless, see the note on 11:3b. The phrase describes someone who acts treacherously or breaks an agreement. Some other ways to translate this word are:

the unfaithful (New International Version (2011))
-or-
those who can’t be trusted (Good News Translation)

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 2020