Translation commentary on Proverbs 22:21

This verse expresses the purpose of the sayings that follow, that is, what they are intended to achieve for the young person who takes them to heart.

“To show you what is right and true”: “Show” is a rather weak rendering for the Hebrew, which literally says “make you know.” Revised English Bible gets the force with “impart to you a knowledge of. . .”; a number of other versions have “teach you.” “What is right” is the rendering of a very rare Hebrew word; from similar words in related languages, scholars give its likely meaning as “right” or “truth.” Some commentators regard the following expression “and true” (literally “words of truth”) as an explanation that has been put into the Hebrew text to explain the rare word. Hebrew Old Testament Text Project (“C” rating) recommends following the Hebrew as we have it; however, translators may wish to eliminate the repetition anyway, for reasons of style. Versions that try to use two different terms are Revised Standard Version, New Revised Standard Version, and New International Version “true and reliable words.” New Jerusalem Bible combines the two terms in a single expression “the certainty of true sayings.” Revised English Bible (“the truth”) and Scott (“what is true”) use only one term, while Good News Translation renders the line as “and will teach you what the truth really is.”

In dealing with the long Hebrew sentence, some translations make a break and begin a new sentence at the beginning of this line. They express the relationship of purpose by saying something like “They [the sayings mentioned in verse 20] will teach you. . ..” This is a good model for translators to follow in other languages.

“That you may give a true answer to those who sent you”: The opening “that” shows that this line follows as a consequence from the first line. Those who have learned “words of truth” will be able to tell or explain that truth to others. This may also be expressed as “. . . so that,” “and so you will,” or “then you will be able.” “Give a true answer” is literally “bring back words of truth,” using the same expression as in the previous line. The precise sense depends on the way we understand the words “to those who sent you”. One possible setting is that the parents or guardians of the young person have sent him to school, and the “words of truth” are his account of what he has learned, a report on his progress. So Revised English Bible says “take back a true report” and Scott “return a correct report.” Another possible setting is that people have sent the young person away to learn wisdom, and they then expect that he will be able to give good answers to the questions they ask. Most versions seem to follow this approach; some examples are “so that you can give sound answers” (New International Version), “so that you can return with sound answers” (New Jerusalem Bible), and “you will bring back the right answer” (Good News Translation). One example of the way the whole line may be rendered is “Then if people send you to find out the truth about something, you will be able to take a correct answer back to them.”

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 22:21)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Proverbs 22:21:

  • Kupsabiny: “These proverbs will teach you so that you may know the words of truth that can be trusted so that you can answer with good words.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “I have written you [30 sayings]
    that you may understand the truth
    and interpret it for those who are sent to you,
    haven’t I?” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “By this you (sing.) will-know what is the truth, and you (sing.) can-give a trustworthy answer to a man who will-ask you (sing.).” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “That is how-you(sing.)-will-come-to-know what is true and right that you (sing.) will use-to-answer to the one who sent you (sing.).” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 22:21

22:21

This verse continues the rhetorical question from 20:20. It further describes the purpose or intended result of the sayings. It describes what they will enable the listener to do. They will enable him to accurately and reliably report to the person who sent him.

21a to show you true and reliable words,

21b that you may soundly answer those who sent you?

22:21a

to show you true and reliable words: In Hebrew, this phrase is literally “to make known to you the truth of words of truth/reliability.” It indicates that the sayings will cause the listener to know information or advice that is both accurate and reliable. It assumes that the listener will pay attention to the sayings and will study them carefully.

true and reliable words: The words that the Berean Standard Bible translates as true and reliable are different words in Hebrew. The first word occurs only here in the Old Testament. In this context, it may refer to the accuracy or certainty of the teacher’s words. It may also imply that his advice is appropriate.

The second word overlaps in meaning with the first. It also refers to the truth or reliability of the teacher’s words.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

to make you know what is right and true (English Standard Version)
-or-
will teach you information that is appropriate and accurate

You may use more or less than two terms in your language to describe the teacher’s words. Carefully compare the preceding and following verse parts to make sure that they fit together without sounding redundant.

22:21b

that you may soundly answer those who sent you: In Hebrew, this verse part is literally “to bring back words of truth/reliability to ⌊those who⌋ sent you.” The text does not specify who sent the son or the purpose for which they sent him. Scholars have suggested several possible situations. In any of these situations, the wise sayings that the son learns will enable him to reliably accomplish what he was sent to do.

(a) An official or an employer may send the son as a messenger or representative. The son will need to accurately and reliably deliver the message and perhaps conduct negotiations. He will then need to report back to the one who sent him.

(b) A parent or an employer may have sent the son to receive specific training from the teacher of wisdom. The son will need to accurately report his progress to the one who sent him.

Translate in a way that could refer to as many of these situations as possible.

answer: In Hebrew, this word has a general meaning. It refers to anything that a person says. The Berean Standard Bible has used a more specific word, answer, because the context specifies that the son will “bring back” words to the person or persons who sent him.

those who sent you: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible literally translates as those who sent you is plural. But it may refer in general to anyone who sends the son to accomplish a task or tasks in the future. By the time the son returns with his report, the sender(s) will already have sent him. Some other ways to translate this are:

so that you may give accurate answers to those who sent you (NET Bible)
-or-
so that you can give an accurate report to those who send you (God’s Word)
-or-
to give you the right words for those in charge of you (Contemporary English Version)

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