complete verse (Proverbs 22:20)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Proverbs 22:20:

  • Kupsabiny: “Have I not written to you thirty words of wisdom which counsels you?” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Have I not written you thirty good suggestions
    and pieces of advice full of wisdom?” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “I wrote-down 30 proverbs which can-give-advice and can-give wisdom to you (sing.).” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “I have-written these thirty advices by-which-is-gained wisdom.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Proverbs 22:20

Verses 20 and 21 form one long sentence in Hebrew about the nature and purpose of the sayings that follow.

“Have I not written for you. . .?”: The sentence has the form of a question, but it is a rhetorical question that clearly expects the answer “Yes.” In English, translations such as Good News Translation, Contemporary English Version, and Revised English Bible do not use a question form and begin “I have written. . ..” This is a good model for translators in other languages also.

“Thirty sayings”: There is a textual problem regarding the Hebrew word rendered “thirty sayings” in Revised Standard Version and most recent translations. The written form of the text is generally taken to be a word meaning “three times.” Traditionally the Hebrew letters have been read with vowels that make them into a word meaning “officers” or “important things.” Thus King James Version renders the line “Have not I written to thee excellent things”; and some other older versions are similar. However, reading the Hebrew letters with a different set of vowels gives the word that means “thirty.” Since the recognition of parallels with the “thirty precepts of Amen-em-opet” in this collection of sayings, most commentators accept that “thirty” is most likely to have been the original intention of the author or editor. The Handbook recommends that translators use “thirty” here, even if this is not brought into the title for the collection. There is no word corresponding to “sayings” in the Hebrew text, but something like this must be supplied; most versions have “sayings”, but New Jerusalem Bible has “chapters.” When “thirty” is applied to the whole collection of sayings, the sense is of thirty sayings or parts into which the whole may be divided. See also the comments at the beginning of 22.22.

“Of admonition and knowledge”: This line explains the nature of the sayings that make up the collection. There is some debate about the form of the first Hebrew word, but the sense is practically the same for the two possibilities. The term translated “admonition” means “[wise] counsel” or “advice”; so New Jerusalem Bible renders this line “of advice and knowledge,” and many versions have something similar. For “knowledge” refer to 1.4. Revised English Bible “full of knowledge and wise advice” is a good model for translators.

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 .

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 22:20

22:20

In Hebrew and in the Berean Standard Bible, verses 22:20–21 are a single sentence. This first verse describes the number and nature of the sayings that follow.

20a Have I not written for you thirty sayings

20b about counsel and knowledge,

22:20a

Have I not written for you thirty sayings: There are different ways to interpret the phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as thirty sayings. The meaning of the word thirty is uncertain, and the word sayings does not occur here in the Hebrew text.

(1) This phrase means “thirty sayings.” It refers to the “words of the wise” that were introduced in 22:17a. For example:

thirty sayings (Revised English Bible)

(2) This phrase means “thirty chapters.” For example:

thirty chapters (New Jerusalem Bible)

(3) This phrase means “excellent things.” For example:

excellent things (New American Standard Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), along with most versions and commentaries.

Verse 20:20a is the first part of a rhetorical question that continues through 20:21b. This rhetorical question implies the answer “yes.” It affirms that the author has indeed written the thirty sayings that he will teach in the rest of this section. Some ways to translate this rhetorical question are:

• Use a different rhetorical question. For example:

Is it not true that I have written thirty sayings for your benefit?

• Use a statement. For example:

Here I have written out for you thirty sayings (Revised English Bible)

thirty sayings: Many languages will not have a plural noun such as sayings that can be used with a number. Some other ways to translate this idea in other languages are:

thirty teachings/advices
-or-
thirty topics of advice
-or-
thirty things that can be taught

22:20b

about counsel and knowledge: This phrase describes the content of the sayings. Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

filled with advice and knowledge (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
They contain knowledge and good advice (Good News Translation)
-or-
which give knowledge and good advice (New Century Version)

In some languages, the word knowledge will need to be translated as a verb phrase. For example:

what people know
-or-
what wise people have learned

Moreover, it probably overlaps in meaning with the word counsel and with the phrase “true and reliable words” in 22:21. In such cases, consider leaving this word implied here in 22:20b or use a phrase such as:

wise counsel (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)
-or-
what I have advised you is good/accurate

General Comment on 22:20a–b

In some languages, it may be more natural to combine and/or reorder some of the ideas in these two lines. For example:

I am now going to tell you about thirty things/topics that ⌊wise people⌋ know. These things will advise you ⌊how to live properly/wisely⌋ .

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