Translation commentary on Proverbs 19:25

“Strike a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence”: Interpreters are not agreed on the meaning of this saying. To “Strike” means to beat or to punish physically. For “scoffer” see the comments on 1.22. For “simple” and “prudence” see 1.4. This line appears to say that “simple” people or fools learn by seeing “scoffers” or arrogant people punished. The “simple” person is teachable and easily influenced for good or bad, but the “scoffer” does not learn. See Good News Translation.

“Reprove a man of understanding, and he will gain knowledge”: “Reprove”, as in 9.7, means to correct, that is, to help someone change his ways or thoughts. “A man of understanding”, as in 1.5, is a wise or intelligent person. “Gain knowledge” means “become wiser.” Contemporary English Version translates this line “A sensible person learns by being corrected.” Note the second person address in Good News Translation: “If you are wise. . ..”

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 19:25)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Proverbs 19:25:

  • Kupsabiny: “A foolish person is punished/caned so that he may understand,
    and/but the wise one is corrected by counsel.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “If mockers are punished,
    those without wisdom will gain insight.
    If those with insight are admonished,
    they will gain even more insight.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “The ones who mock should be-punished so-that the ones who are like them who do- not -know- (anything) can-learn to become-wise. A wise man become- more -wiser if he is-corrected/rebuked.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Someone who knows nothing becomes-thinking/reflective if he sees a mocker be-whipped, but the wise-person, he is taught by-means-of advice.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • English: “If you punish someone who makes fun of those who are wise, those who are naive/need to be instructed will learn to do what is smart;
    if you rebuke those who are wise, they will listen to what you say and become wiser.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 19:25

19:25

This proverb contrasts the results of disciplining different kinds of people. It also contrasts the ways that different kinds of people learn. No contrast is intended between the similar phrases “will learn prudence” and “will gain knowledge.”

25a
Strike a mocker, and the simple will beware ;

25b
rebuke the discerning man, and he will gain knowledge.

Notice that the parallelism is not exact. The parallel lines function together to imply several things:

(a) A “mocker” learns nothing, even when he is beaten as punishment.

(b) A “simple” person does not learn if someone simply rebukes him. But he does learn from observing the severe punishment of the mocker.

(c) A “discerning man” learns far more readily than a simple person. He is able to learn from even a verbal rebuke. He does not need to see someone else being punished.

19:25a

Strike: In Hebrew, this verb has a wide range of meaning. It probably refers here to striking or beating with a rod or whip.