Translation commentary on Proverbs 2:21

Verses 21 and 22 form a poetic conclusion to the chapter, contrasting the reward that good people will have with the punishment that awaits the wicked. Each of the verses consists of two parallel lines that are almost identical in meaning, with the lines of verse 22 being opposite in sense to the lines of verse 21.

“For the upright will inhabit the land”: For “upright” see verse 7. “Inhabit the land” means to live, dwell in the land of Israel. See Deut 4.1-2; Psa 37.3, 11, 29. To dwell in the land is to receive the Lord‘s favor and blessing. From the writer’s point of view “the land” may be said to be “this land” or “our land.” To translate as “the land” may appear to mean any land or more generally the earth.

“And men of integrity will remain in it”: “Men of integrity” translates the plural adjective form of the term rendered “integrity” by Revised Standard Version in verse 7, and the same word is rendered “whole” by Revised Standard Version in 1.12. In the context of our verse it refers to people who are blameless, honorable, and innocent of wrongdoing. New Revised Standard Version says “innocent.” New English Bible has “blameless men,” which Revised English Bible has changed to “the blameless.” Contemporary English Version says “innocent.” “It” refers back to the land in the first line.

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 .

Translation commentary on Proverbs 22:1

The theme of this saying is the value of a good reputation. The two lines are parallel and have essentially the same meaning.

“A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches”: The first word of the verse in Hebrew is the verb “is to be chosen”, a passive form of the verb “choose”; it serves as the verb for the second line as well as the first. Here it has the sense of what people choose because it is “more desirable” (New International Version), “preferable” (New Jerusalem Bible), or “worth much more” (Contemporary English Version). For “A good name” the Hebrew has simply “name”; a person’s name meant their reputation or standing in the community. It is clear from the matching element in the second line, and from the sense of the whole saying, that its meaning here is “a good reputation.” “Great riches” is the common way of expressing “a lot of money and possessions.”

“And favor is better than silver or gold”: “Favor” (“good favor” in Hebrew) is the term that matches “name” in the first line. In this context it means being well accepted, respected, or “esteemed” (New International Version) by other people. “Is better” is put in by Revised Standard Version and other translations to repeat the verb from the first line. “Silver” and “gold” have the same meaning as “great riches”.

Since the meaning of the two lines is very similar, some translations make them into a single sentence; Contemporary English Version, for example, says: “A good reputation and respect are worth much more than silver and gold.” In one Pacific language this is expressed as “If people recognize you as a good person and they honor you, that is better than being rich.” See also 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 .

complete verse (Proverbs 2:21)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Proverbs 2:21:

  • Kupsabiny: “because it is the righteous people who will live/stay in the world/land.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Only righteous and honest people
    will get to live here.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “For a man who lives rightly and without blame will-dwell/live continually here in our (incl.) land.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “For those who are like them, it is they who will live-and-live (connotes both long and prosperous life) and will-remain in the town/country,” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)