faithful

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The Greek, Hebrew, and Ge’ez that is rendered as “faithful” in English is (back-) translated in various ways:

See also faith / believe.

messenger

The Hebrew and Greek that is translated as “messenger” in English is translated in Noongar as moort yana-waangki or “person walk-talk” (source: Warda-Kwabba Luke-Ang).

complete verse (Proverbs 13:17)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Proverbs 13:17:

  • Kupsabiny: “When a unreliable/disobedient person is sent, it brings problems,
    and/but when a gentle/generous/trustworthy person is sent, it brings deliverance to people.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “A wicked messenger brings trouble,
    but a good messenger
    brings good health.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “A wicked messenger causes-trouble to the people, but a trustworthy messenger makes-good their relationship.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “The messenger whose mind/thoughts are evil, he causes-there-to-be problems, but the trustworthy-one, cause-for-happiness is what he gives.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • English: “Messengers who are not reliable cause trouble,
    but those who faithfully deliver their messages cause people to act peacefully.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Proverbs 13:17

“A bad messenger plunges men into trouble”: “Bad” is to be understood here as unreliable or disloyal to the one who sends the messenger. “Plunges” translates a verb meaning “to fall down,” which has been made causative by Revised Standard Version, that is, “causes others to fall.” There are two points of view regarding this verb:

(1) that the “bad messenger” falls into trouble and presumably will be punished by his sender—and thus the faithful messenger in line 2 has nothing to fear;
(2) that the “bad messenger” causes others to fall into trouble through his unreliable or dishonest dealings.

In either case the saying is a warning to anyone seeking to use a messenger as well as being a warning to potential messengers. Hebrew Old Testament Text Project rates the text as “A” and recommends “will fall down,” apparently meaning “will fail in his mission.” But a majority of commentators and versions accept the proposed change in the vowels of the Hebrew verb and take it as causative; for example, “is the cause of trouble” (Bible en français courant). This interpretation fits in well with the second line: “A bad messenger” causes trouble, “a faithful envoy” causes healing.

“But a faithful envoy brings healing”: “Faithful” in reference to “envoy” describes someone who is reliable and loyal to the one who sends him. “Envoy” renders a term that can apply to a government ambassador as in Isa 18.2. The term emphasizes the important function that the messenger often had in political negotiations and business dealings. The difference, if any, between “messenger” and “envoy” is not the point here. Their loyalty or lack of it is. “Healing” contrasts with “trouble” or misfortune in line 1; Good News Translation expresses this contrast well by it rendering “peace” here.

In translating the whole verse, most modern versions express the thought that the “faithful envoy” heals the bad situation created by the disloyal “messenger”; for example, “An evil messenger causes trouble, but a trusty envoy makes all go well again” (New English Bible).

“A bad messenger is the cause of trouble; a faithful envoy sets things right again” (Bible en français courant).

“A wicked messenger brings on disaster, but a trustworthy envoy is a healing remedy” (New American Bible).

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 .

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 13:17

13:17

Notice the parallel parts that contrast in meaning:

17a
A wicked messenger falls into trouble,

17b but a faithful envoy brings healing.

13:17a–b

A wicked messenger…a faithful envoy: No distinction is intended between the words messenger and envoy. Both were sent to deliver important messages or to represent the people who sent them in political or business dealings. The main contrast is between a messenger who is wicked and one who is faithful, reliable, or loyal. In contrast to the word faithful in 13:17b, the word wicked implies a person who is untrustworthy. Another way to translate it is:

unreliable (Good News Translation)

13:17a

falls into trouble: There is a textual difference that involves the word falls :

(1) The Masoretic Text (MT) has the word yippol “falls.” The meaning of this text is that the messenger himself experiences trouble or disaster. For example:

An undependable messenger gets into trouble (God’s Word)

(2) Some scholars think that the original text was yappil “causes to fall.” The meaning of this text is that the messenger causes trouble for others. For example:

Unreliable messengers cause trouble (Good News Translation)

It is recommended that you follow option (1), along with most versions and scholars. The MT makes good sense in the context. Although option (2) provides a more exact contrast with 13:17b, that is not a sufficient reason for proposing a different text.

13:17b

brings healing: The word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as healing can also mean “health” or “remedy.” In this context, it should be understood figuratively. It refers to the welfare or peace of mind of the community to which the messenger is sent. Another way to translate this is:

but those who can be trusted bring peace (Good News Translation)

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