neighbor - relative

The Hebrew and Greek that is translated as “neighbor” or “relative” in English is translated in the Contemporary Chichewa translation (2002/2016) and the Buku Lopatulika translation (1922/2018) with just one word: nansi. This word can also be translated as neighbors whom you share a blood relation with because in Chewa context a community is mostly comprised of people of blood relations. (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)

See also neighbor.

complete verse (Proverbs 16:29)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Proverbs 16:29:

  • Kupsabiny: “A wicked man entices his neighbor,
    and there/then, (he/they) has gone astray.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “By enticing their friends,
    people with violent spirits
    take them along paths that are not good.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “A violent man entices/urges his fellowman to do evil (ways).” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “The cruel/malicious person, he tempts his companions, because he persuades (them) to do wrong.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • English: “Those who act violently entice/encourage others to also act violently
    and lead them along a road that will end in disaster.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Proverbs 16:29

“A man of violence entices his neighbor”: For “violence” see 3.31. For “entices” see 1.10, and for “neighbor” see 3.28. The thought here is not that the person of violence lures the neighbor into a place where he can rob or attack him, but rather that he lures him into a life of crime.

“And leads him in a way that is not good”: “Leads” is used figuratively of taking, directing, bringing a person to an unfortunate end. “A way that is not good” is interpreted in various ways. Some take it to mean death, while others understand it to refer to ruin. See Good News Translation. We may translate this saying, for example, “An evil person lures his neighbor into trouble and leads him to an unfortunate end.”

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 16:29

16:29

The second line of this proverb gives the result of the action in the first line.

29a A violent man entices his neighbor

29b and leads him down a path that is not good.

The overall meaning is that a criminal persuades his companion to engage in wicked behavior.

16:29a

A violent man: The word violent often refers to someone who uses physical brutality. But it may refer to anyone who breaks the law.

entices: The word entices means to tempt, entice, or persuade to do evil. It is implied that the “violent man” uses tricks or lies to tempt his neighbor.

his neighbor: In Hebrew, the word neighbor can refer to anyone with whom a person interacts, including a close friend or an acquaintance. It does not refer only to a person who lives nearby.

Some ways to translate this line are:

Cruel people trick their neighbors (New Century Version)
-or-
Violent people mislead their companions (New Living Translation (2004))

16:29b

and leads him down a path: In Hebrew, this phrase is literally “and causes him to walk on a path.” As in other verses, the metaphor of walking on a path refers to a person’s conduct or way of life. So this phrase refers to persuading someone to follow a certain course of action.

that is not good: The phrase that is not good is a deliberate understatement. It means that this conduct is definitely wrong or destructive. You may express either of these meanings in your translation. For example:

and lead them to do wrong (New Century Version)
-or-
and lead them to disaster (Good News Translation)

You may also use a word or phrase that expresses both meanings. For example:

and causes them to do things that are wicked and harmful

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