Translation commentary on Proverbs 22:17

There is a textual problem right at the beginning of this verse. Revised Standard Version translates the Hebrew text as we have it, but the Septuagint reflects a slightly different text: “[to] words of the wise, incline your ear and listen to my word.” Some commentators believe that “the words of the wise” is a marginal title that has been taken into the text; and this is the basis for translations such as New Revised Standard Version and New English Bible which put these words as a title on a separate line and then begin the introduction with something like “Incline your ear and listen to my words” (New Revised Standard Version). The Hebrew Old Testament Text Project committee considered this problem, but were divided, with half the members preferring the Hebrew text and half preferring the Septuagint. Translators may follow either option.

“Incline your ear, and hear”: “Incline your ear” (see comments at 4.20) is an idiom that has the sense of “pay attention” (New International Version). It is quite similar in meaning to the next verb “hear” or “listen to,” so it is possible to render the two verbs together as, for example, “Listen to the words of the wise” (New Living Translation).

“The words of the wise”: “The wise” is a plural, “wise people.” This expression refers to teaching or wisdom that has been gathered by wise people past and present. It may be expressed as “what wise people have said” (Good News Translation).

“And apply your mind to my knowledge”: This line is parallel in form to the first line as expressed in the Septuagint, and has practically the same meaning as the first line whichever form of it we accept. “Apply your mind” is parallel to “Incline your ear” in the first line. It is literally “apply your heart” and means “think about something” or “meditate on something”; Good News Translation renders the expression “study.” “My knowledge” is parallel to “words of the wise” in the first line; “my learning” (Scott), “my teaching” (New Revised Standard Version), or “what I teach” (New International Version) are good models for 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 22:17)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Proverbs 22:17:

  • Kupsabiny: “Be attentive and listen to the words of wise people. Stick the words I am saying in (the) head.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Listen to what the wise say!
    Keep what I teach in [your] heart.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “The following are still the additional saying of the wise men. Listen to it carefully while I teach it to you (sing.),” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “This is the advice of the wise. Be-thorough/careful to listen-to this that I teach you (sing.).” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 22:17

Section 22:17–24:22

Here are thirty sayings of wise people

This section follows the main collection of Solomon’s proverbs (10:1–22:16). It differs in significant ways from this preceding section:

(a) The preceding section has mostly two-line proverbs that are one verse in length. This section has proverbs of a different form. They are sayings that range from one to seven verses. Most of the sayings are two or three verses in length. Each saying will be marked as a separate paragraph in the Notes.

(b) Many of the proverbs in the preceding section express a general principle. They are not addressed specifically to the readers. Most of the sayings here contain direct commands. They advise the reader or listener either to follow wise behavior or avoid foolish behavior. Most of the sayings also give a reason or motive for following the command.

(c) As in chapters 1–9, the author addresses his reader or listener as a father who advises his son. He uses second person commands and pronouns (you(sing)). See the note on 23:15 for a list of verses where the words “my son” occur.

Some other headings for this section are:

Thirty Wise Sayings (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
Words of the Wise (English Standard Version)
-or-
Thirty Sayings of the Wise (New International Version (2011))

Verse 22:20 mentions “thirty sayings,” but the Hebrew text itself does not number the sayings. Some versions that use the word “thirty” in the section heading also give a number as a separate heading for each saying. The Good News Translation and Contemporary English Version start numbering the sayings at 22:22. They have a total of thirty-one paragraphs. In these versions, the first paragraph (22:17–21) serves as an introduction to the thirty sayings (22:22–24:22). Other versions, such as the New International Version, New Century Version, and New Living Translation (2004), divide the paragraphs in the same way but do not have separate headings for each section. You may use either option in your translation.

For the convenience of those who decide to identify the number of each saying in their translation, the Notes will put the number in the paragraph headings, using the same numbering system as the Good News Translation or Contemporary English Version. These numbers will not be used in the Display.

Paragraph 22:17–21 Introduction

This paragraph begins with an exhortation to an unnamed person. This person is identified in Hebrew with the masculine singular pronouns “you/your.” The author more specifically identifies him as “my son” in 23:15a and other verses. See point (c) in the preceding section summary. In verses where the author does not identify his “son” explicitly, the notes will refer to his “reader” or “listener,” depending on the context.

In 22:17, the author exhorts the listener to pay careful attention to what he will say. In 22:18, the author then gives the listener a reason for following this exhortation. In 22:19–21 he further describes the nature of the wise sayings as well as his purpose in writing them.

In this paragraph, the Hebrew text uses plural pronouns to refer back to “the words of the wise” in 22:17. For example, “them” is used in 22:18. In some languages, a singular noun, such as “advice” may be used instead of “words.” In such cases, singular pronouns or phrases (for example, “it” or “this advice”) will need to be used to refer back to it. The meaning lines in the Display will give both options when they are relevant.

22:17–18

In Hebrew, these verses mention four organs of the body: the ear, heart, belly, and lips. Together these organs emphasize the entire learning process. The learner listens to the advice, thinks about it, and stores it in his memory. He then tells it to others.

22:17

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

17a
Pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise ;

17b
apply your heart to what I teach.

The underlined parallel parts refer to the first two steps in the learning process. The parts in bold print both refer to what the author teaches. The author advises his listener to listen carefully and to think about the wise sayings that he teaches.

22:17a

Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise: There are two ways in this context to interpret the phrase the words of the wise :

(1) This phrase refers to the teachings of wise people. The author identifies their words as words and commands his listener to Incline your ear to their content. For example:

Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise (English Standard Version)

(2) This phrase refers to the teachings of wise people. It serves as a title for the rest of the verse. For example:

The words of the wise:

Incline your ear and hear my words (New Revised Standard Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), along with almost all versions. You may still use a section heading or title, as many of these versions have done.

Incline your ear and hear: In Hebrew, these two commands are literally “Turn your ear and hear.” The first command can describe a person who literally leans or turns toward a speaker so that he can hear more clearly. Here it is probably used figuratively to mean “listen carefully” or “listen obediently.” If there is a natural expression in your language that uses the word “ear” and has the correct meaning, you are encouraged to use it. For example:

Open your ears (God’s Word)

Many English versions translate the meaning without using a figure of speech. For example:

Listen carefully (New Century Version)

The same command also occurs in 4:20b.

the words of the wise: These words or “sayings” are arranged according to different topics. Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

the sayings of the wise (New International Version)
-or-
some sayings of people with wisdom (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
what wise people say (New Century Version)

22:17b

apply your mind to my knowledge: In Hebrew, this command indicates that the listener should direct or focus his thoughts on what his teacher advises. He should carefully think about what the teacher instructs him to do so that he will understand the meaning correctly. It is implied that the listener fully intends to obey what he hears and understands.

mind: In Hebrew, the word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as mind is literally “heart.” In Hebrew, the word “heart” refers mainly to a person’s mind and intellect, though it also includes the emotions. It refers to his ability to think and make decisions. Other languages may use a different part of the body, such as the mind, liver, or stomach, to refer to these things. In 4:4a, 6:14a, and 10:20b the Berean Standard Bible translated this same word as “heart.” See how you translated this word in those passages.

my knowledge: Here, the phrase my knowledge refers to the things that the speaker knows. He teaches these things to his listener. Some other ways to translate these words are:

what I know (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
my instruction (NET Bible)
-or-
the knowledge I give you (God’s Word)

Some other ways to translate this command are:

apply your mind to my knowledge (New American Standard Bible)
-or-
think carefully about what I am teaching you

General Comment on 22:17a–b

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

Listen, and I will teach you what the wise have said. Study their teachings (Good News Translation)

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