wisdom ("word wisdom")

In the Tzeltal translation for the dialectal variant of Highland Tzeltal (Biblia Tzeltal yu’un Oxchuc soc Tenejapa, 2001) the translation team used three different words to translate the Hebrew term that is translated as “wisdom” in English. For the verses referenced here, it uses p’ijil c’op or “word wisdom.”

For the complete story and more background, please see wisdom (Proverbs).

See also buy wisdom.

understanding ("head wisdom")

In the Tzeltal translation for the dialectal variant of Highland Tzeltal (Biblia Tzeltal yu’un Oxchuc soc Tenejapa, 2001) the translation team used three different words to translate the Hebrew term that is translated as “wisdom” in English. One of them is p’ijil jol or “word wisdom” which is also used for “understanding,” good sense,” “intelligent,” or “insight.”

For the complete story and more background, please see wisdom (Proverbs).

wisdom

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The Hebrew, Aramaic, Ge’ez, Latin, and Greek that is translated as “wisdom” in English is rendered in various ways:

  • Amganad Ifugao / Tabasco Chontal: “(big) mind”
  • Bulu / Yamba: “heart-thinking”
  • Tae’: “cleverness of heart” (source for this and all above: Reiling / Swellengrebel)
  • Palauan: “bright spirit (innermost)” (source: Bratcher / Hatton)
  • Ixcatlán Mazatec: “with your best/biggest thinking” (source: Robert Bascom)
  • Noongar: dwangka-boola, lit. “ear much” (source: Portions of the Holy Bible in the Nyunga language of Australia, 2018 — see also remember)
  • Kwere “to know how to live well” (source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)
  • Dobel: “their ear holes are long-lasting” (in Acts 6:3) (source: Jock Hughes)
  • Gbaya: iŋa-mgbara-mɔ or “knowing-about-things” (note that in comparison to that, “knowledge” is translated as iŋa-mɔ or “knowing things”) (source: Philip Noss in The Bible Translator 2001, p. 114ff. )
  • Chichewa: nzeru, meaning both “knowledge” and “wisdom” (source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Uma: “clearness” (source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Kako: “heart thinking” (source: Reyburn 2002, p. 190)

In Hungarian Sign Language it is translated with a hand gesture referring to God to indicate a human quality to communicate that wisdom does not originate from man but is linked to and connected with the fear of God (source: Jenjelvi Biblia and HSL Bible Translation Group):


“Wisdom” in Hungarian Sign Language (source )

See also wisdom (Proverbs) and knowledge.

Translation commentary on Proverbs 14:6

“A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain”: For “scoffer” see 1.22. The idea of the “scoffer” seeking wisdom is contrary to the thought of the book of Proverbs. To “seek wisdom” is to practice seriously the discipline required to obtain knowledge and so presupposes a concern for moral and religious instruction. The “scoffer” has no such concern because he thinks he knows everything. “In vain” is literally “but there is none,” that is, there is no wisdom for that kind of person. Bible en français courant translates “Does the arrogant person force himself to acquire good sense? It is futile.” Contemporary English Version translates “scoffer” as a verb phrase: “Make fun of wisdom, and you will never find it.” See Good News Translation.

“But knowledge is easy for a man of understanding”: See 1.4 for “knowledge”. “Is easy” renders a form of the verb meaning “to be swift” or “to do something quickly or with little effort.” “A man of understanding”, used for the first time in 1.5, refers to an intelligent, discerning person and contrasts with the “scoffer”. We may render this line, for example, “but if you are intelligent, you will learn quickly.”

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 .

complete verse (Proverbs 14:6)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Proverbs 14:6:

  • Kupsabiny: “If a person who despises things/words tries to seek for wisdom, he will not get it,
    but he who understands, gets it quickly.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “With a mocking attitude
    one will never be able to find insight.
    With sincere purpose,
    one will find it easily.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “A man who mocks can- never obtain/possess wisdom even how hard he tries, but a man who has understanding can-learn easily.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “It is difficult for a mocker to become-wise, but it is easy for the thinking-reflective-person to-become-intelligent/wise/skillful.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • English: “Those who make fun of being wise will never become wise,
    but those who understand what is right learn things easily.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 14:6

14:6

Notice the parallel parts that contrast in meaning:

6a
A mocker seeks wisdom and finds none,

6b but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.

This proverb contrasts a mocker’s inability to gain wisdom with a discerning person who easily learns.

14:6a

A mocker seeks wisdom and finds none: This line means that a person who mocks others cannot become wise, even though he tries to do so. Some other ways to translate this line are:

A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain (English Standard Version)
-or-
A mocker seeks wisdom and never finds it (New Living Translation (2004))

14:6b

but knowledge comes easily to the discerning: The word discerning refers to a person who can understand and interpret ideas and can draw conclusions. He is also a person who is sensible and competent. Another way to translate this line is:

but intelligent people learn easily (Good News Translation)

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