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.

soul

The Hebrew, Greek, Ge’ez, and Latin that is translated as “soul” in English is translated in Chol with a term that refers to the invisible aspects of human beings (source: Robert Bascom), in Yagaria with oune or “shadow, reflection” (source: Renck, p. 81), and in Elhomwe as “heart” (source: project-specific translation notes in Paratext).

The Mandarin Chinese línghún (靈魂 / 灵魂), literally “spirit-soul,” is often used for “soul” (along with xīn [心] or “heart”). This is a term that was adopted from Buddhist sources into early Catholic writings and later also by Protestant translators. (Source: Zetzsche 1996, p. 32, see also Clara Ho-yan Chan in this article )

In Chichewa, moyo means both “soul” and “life.” (Source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)

See also heart, soul, mind.

Translation commentary on Proverbs 2:10

“For wisdom will come into your heart”: We recall from 2.2 that the “heart” in Hebrew refers to the center of the intellect and not the seat of the emotions. “For” most likely indicates a relationship of cause and effect: wisdom entering the heart results in the person understanding righteousness and justice. Other ways of expressing “wisdom will come into your heart” are “Wisdom will control your mind” (Contemporary English Version), “wisdom will sink into your mind” (New English Bible/Revised English Bible), and “wisdom will be welcome to your mind” (Moffatt).

“Knowledge will be pleasant to your soul”: “Knowledge” matches “wisdom”, and “soul” is paired with “heart”, giving these two lines essentially the same meaning. Good News Translation, which departs from poetic language more often than other well-known versions, states this verse as “You will become wise, and your knowledge will give you pleasure.” We may also say, for example, “Wisdom will fill your heart and knowledge will put joy in your soul.” If “heart” and “soul” cannot be spoken of in this way, we may suggest, for example, “You will become a wise and joyful person.”

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 2:10)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Proverbs 2:10:

  • Kupsabiny: “And there/then, that wisdom will please you/make you rejoice.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “You will be filled with wisdom,
    insight will give you joy.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “For you (sing.) will-be-wise, and this can-give you (sing.) joy.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “For you will-become wise and be-made-happy because of your (sing.) skill/intelligence.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 2:10

2:10

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

10a For wisdom will enter your heart,

10b and knowledge will delight your soul.

2:10a–b

For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will delight your soul: This verse explains why the person who searches for wisdom will know how to do what is right. It is because he will indeed become wise. This wisdom/knowledge will also give him great joy. Some English versions, such as the Berean Standard Bible, introduce this explanation with the word For. For example:

for wisdom will sink into your mind (Revised English Bible)

Other versions leave this connection implied. For example:

Wisdom will control your mind (Contemporary English Version)

Introduce this explanation in a natural way in your language.

2:10a

wisdom will enter your heart: For heart, see the note on 2:2a–b. The heart represents the center of a person’s inner life. It is a figure of speech (synecdoche) that represents the whole person. For wisdom to enter a person’s heart is equivalent to a person becoming wise. For example:

You will become wise (Good News Translation)

2:10b

knowledge will delight your soul: The word knowledge here has essentially the same meaning as “wisdom.” The word soul, like the word “heart,” is a figure of speech (synecdoche) that represents the whole person. The word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as delight means “pleasing” or “attractive.” Other ways to translate this clause are:

knowledge will be pleasing to you (New Century Version)
-or-
your knowledge will give you pleasure (Good News Translation)

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