“He who despises the word brings destruction on himself”: “He” expresses the masculine singular form of the Hebrew participle meaning “the one despising.” Note that New Revised Standard Version has made this inclusive with “Those who despise.” “Despises” renders a different form of the Hebrew verb than the one in 1.7, but the sense here, like there, means to reject or consider as worthless. “The word” translates Hebrew davar, a very general word that is used for “counsel,” “advice,” “commandment,” and “teaching” in chapters 1–9. In its widest sense “word” may refer to the law. Here it is parallel to “commandment” in line 2. Some interpreters take it to mean the father’s instruction in verse 1, while others understand it to refer to “God’s teaching” (Contemporary English Version) or “God’s decree” (Moffatt). The verb that is rendered “brings destruction” may also be understood to mean to be in debt, that is, under a pledge. As Toy explains, the debtor left with his creditor some article of value (see the accusation against Job as creditor in Job 22.6), and if the debt was not paid, the creditor could take the debtor’s property, even his wife and children (2 Kgs 4.1).
Some translations that follow the thought of being under a pledge are, for example, New American Bible “He who despises the word must pay for it,” New International Version “He who scorns instruction will pay for it,” Bible en français courant “The one who scorns advice runs the risk of paying dearly,” and Contemporary English Version “If you reject God’s teaching, you will pay the price.” Some that follow the notion of ruin or destruction are New Jerusalem Bible “Contempt for the word is self-destructive,” Traduction Œcuménique de la Bible “Whoever scorns the word ruins himself,” and Moffatt “He who despises God’s decree shall perish.” Some translations like Good News Translation seem to aim somewhere between the two positions indicated: “. . . you are asking for trouble.”
“But he who respects the commandment will be rewarded”: Line 2 begins with the same structure as line 1 “the one respecting,” where “respecting” renders a verb meaning “to fear” or “to have reverence for.” This verb contrasts with “despise” or “scorn” in line 1. “Commandment” translates a word used the first time in 2.1, which may refer in this context to God’s command or law, or more generally to the instruction of the teacher of wisdom. If you have used an expression meaning divine law in line 1, it will be appropriate to do the same in this line. “Will be rewarded” is the opposite of what the scorner of the first line can expect. The verb rendered “rewarded” may also express the thought of being complete, whole, or secure. Note Good News Translation “you are safe.”
In languages in which the agent of the act of rewarding must be expressed, it may be necessary to say, for example, “but God will reward those who honor his commandments” or “but God will give good things to those who respect his commandments.”
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 .
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