anger

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The Hebrew and Greek that is translated as “anger” in English in this verse is translated with a variety of solutions (Bratcher / Nida says: “Since anger has so many manifestations and seems to affect so many aspects of personality, it is not strange that expressions used to describe this emotional response are so varied).”

  • Chicahuaxtla Triqui: “be warm inside”
  • Mende: “have a cut heart”
  • Mískito: “have a split heart”
  • Tzotzil: “have a hot heart”
  • Mossi: “a swollen heart”
  • Western Kanjobal: “fire of the viscera”
  • San Blas Kuna: “pain in the heart”
  • Chimborazo Highland Quichua: “not with good eye”
  • Citak: two different terms, one meaning “angry” and one meaning “offended,” both are actually descriptions of facial expressions. The former can be represented by an angry stretching of the eyes or by an angry frown. The latter is similarly expressed by an offended type of frown with one’s head lowered. (Source: Graham Ogden)

See also God’s anger.

Translation commentary on Proverbs 19:11

Verses 11-12 share the theme of anger.

“Good sense makes a man slow to anger”: “Good sense” renders the same word as used in 13.15. It refers to “sound judgment” or “intelligence.” For a similar statement see 14.29. A person who is “slow to anger” is in control of his emotions. Contemporary English Version says “It’s wise to be patient.”

“And it” “is his glory to overlook an offense”: This line is similar in meaning to 14.17b. “His glory” translates the same word used in 16.31 and 17.6. In this verse “glory” refers to “honor,” “respect,” or “greatness.” “To overlook an offense” is literally “to pass over an offense,” that is, “to pay no attention,” “to ignore or forgive an offense.” For “offense” see 10.12. For a model translation expressed in the second person, see Good News Translation.

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 .