Translation commentary on Proverbs 18:18

“The lot puts an end to disputes”: “The lot” renders the same Hebrew word as used in 1.14 and 16.33. Lots were possibly small marked pebbles or pieces of clay which were thrown to decide various issues. It was recognized that God determined the way the lots fell and so the decision was divinely made. “Puts an end to” means “settles,” “resolves,” “decides.” “Disputes” or quarrels between people were settled by the casting of lots.

“And decides between powerful contenders”: Instead of a judge hearing arguments and deciding a case on its merits, the casting of lots (Contemporary English Version “drawing straws”) decided. “Powerful contenders” renders a word meaning “the mighty” or “powerful people.” In the context of this saying these are men of great influence, people in high positions. Hebrew Old Testament Text Project accepts both “litigants” and “powerful people.” Litigants are people engaged in a lawsuit. Note Good News Translation “two powerful people are opposing each other in court.” We may translate the whole verse, for example, “Throw dice to stop people from quarreling and decide who is right between powerful people.”

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 18:18)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Proverbs 18:18:

  • Kupsabiny: “The casting of lots reconciles big people
    and finishes a quarrel.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “If both of them have strong cases,
    [the judge] casts lots to decide who wins.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Casting-of-lot can-stop an argument, and can-settles the case/disputes of the two powerful men.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “A difficult (legal)-case can be judged/decided by-means-of throwing-dice/drawing-lots that is turned-over-to God.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • English: “If two influential/important people are arguing,
    someone can settle the matter by casting lots/throwing marked stones to decide who is right.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 18:18

18:18

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

18a Casting the lot ends quarrels

18b and separates strong opponents.

This verse refers to a situation in which powerful opponents agreed to cast lots to settle a dispute. It is possible that other methods of reaching an agreement had failed.

18:18a

Casting the lot ends quarrels: Casting the lot was a means of determining unknown facts or of deciding what action to take. How the lot was actually cast is not known. People may have used specially marked stones. They used this procedure because they believed that the LORD directed the outcome.

See the note on 16:33a for translation advice relating to this practice. You may also want to add a footnote such as:

See Proverbs 16:33.

ends quarrels: The verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as ends is literally “causes to cease,” or “puts an end to.” Some other ways to translate ends quarrels are:

settles disputes (New International Version)
-or-
can end arguments (New Living Translation (2004))

18:18b

and separates strong opponents: This phrase is more literally “and it separates between mighty ⌊people⌋ .” This phrase is parallel to “ends quarrels” Casting lots separates powerful opponents by deciding the argument between them. Some other ways to translate this line are:

and decides between powerful contenders (English Standard Version)
-or-
and settles the issue between strong opponents (NET Bible)

General Comment on 18:18a–b

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

If two powerful people are opposing each other in court, casting lots can settle the issue. (Good News Translation)

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