Translation commentary on Proverbs 22:5

This is a warning to avoid the way of the wicked or perverse person. The two lines are not strictly parallel, but they do have elements that contrast with each other in meaning.

“Thorns and snares are in the way of the perverse”: On the basis of one ancient version, some translations make a slight change in the Hebrew term “Thorns” and get “traps and snares”; Revised English Bible, for instance, has “Snares and pitfalls lie in the path. . .,” and Good News Translation appears to translate both terms by the single word “traps.” Most versions, however, retain the Hebrew “thorns.” This line pictures the life of a person as a path or road, and the “Thorns and snares . . . in the way” represent dangers and troubles that may come to the person. This is a picture that is used in many languages and cultures around the world, so some translators would be able to retain it. Where this is not the case, we may be able to say, for example, “All kinds of dangers and troubles in life are waiting for the wicked person.” For the sense of “the perverse” see 2.15, where it is translated “crooked.” This term is often rendered as “wicked” or “crooked.”

“He who guards himself will keep far from them”: “He who guards himself” is literally “the one keeping his soul.” Some translations render this as “the cautious [person]” (Revised English Bible, New Revised Standard Version). Others have something like “whoever values life” or “if you love your life” (Good News Translation). “Keep far from them” is a figurative way of saying “avoid those dangers.” Many languages will be able to use expressions similar to the English “steer clear of them” (Revised English Bible), “stays far from them” (New International Version), or “keep out of their way.” One rendering of this line says, “If a person wants to keep safe, he must watch where he is going and avoid all these bad things.”

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 22:5)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Proverbs 22:5:

  • Kupsabiny: “The way/path of sinner is hard/difficult/with many obstacles),
    but a person who guards himself keeps away from there.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “In the path of the wicked
    there are only thorns and obstacles,
    People who love life will stay far away from this path.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “The wicked walk on the thorny road and has traps/snares. [You (sing.)] avoid/stay-away from that road if you (sing.) keep/guard/value your (sing.) life.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “The one who values his life, he goes-far-from the path of those whose thoughts are bad, because there-are-many pricking/poking-things and snares there.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)
  • English: “Because of the things that wicked people do, they have difficulties/troubles that will be like thorns and traps on the roads that they walk on ;
    people who are careful/cautious will be able to stay away from those difficulties.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 22:5

22:5

This proverb contrasts a wicked person with a person who guards his life. A wicked person follows a path that is filled with various kinds of obstacles and dangers. In contrast, a person who guards his life is careful to avoid that kind of path, along with the dangers associated with it.

5a
Thorns and snares lie on the path of the perverse

5b
he who guards his soul stays far from them.

22:5a

Thorns and snares lie on the path of the perverse: There is a textual issue here:

(1) The Masoretic Text (MT) has “thorns and snares.” For example:

Thorns and snares (English Standard Version)

(2) Based on the Syriac translation, some scholars think that the original text was “traps and snares.” For example:

Snares and pitfalls (Revised English Bible)

It is recommended that you follow option (1), along with most versions. This text is supported by the Greek translation (LXX).

The main argument against option (1) is that “thorns” do not seem compatible with “snares.” In favor of option (1) is the argument that “thorns” are a natural danger, whereas “traps” are a man-made danger. So actually, they make an appropriate pair. Also, the idea of “thorns” in the path occurs in 15:19.

Verse 22:5a has more than one metaphor. The life and conduct of a wicked person are compared to a path that is blocked with thorns and snares. The thorns and snares represent the difficulties and dangers that a wicked person faces due to the wrong choices he has made. Some ways to translate these metaphors are:

• Keep the metaphors. For example:

Thorns and snares are in the path of the perverse (NET Bible)
-or-
Corrupt people walk a thorny, treacherous road (New Living Translation (2004))

• Change one or more of the metaphors to a simile. For example:

Evil people’s lives are like paths covered with thorns and traps. (New Century Version)

Thorns: This word probably refers to thorn bushes or bramble bushes that could block a person’s path.

snares: This word was last used in 7:23b. It refers to a net or trap that was used to catch birds.

the perverse: In Hebrew, this word refers to a person who is morally defective, crooked, or twisted. See the note on the phrase “The perverse” in 11:20a.

22:5b

he who guards his soul stays far from them: In Hebrew, this clause does not begin with a conjunction. Some English versions leave the relationship implied. For example:

whoever values his life will stay at a distance (New Jerusalem Bible)

he who guards his soul: The phrase guards his soul means “protects or preserves his life.” A person who guards his life values it. He is cautious and is careful to protect himself from trouble or danger. Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

whoever values life (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
People who guard themselves (New Century Version)
-or-
A person who wants to preserve/protect his life

The same phrase (“guards his soul/life”) also occurs in 13:3a, 16:17b, and 19:16a. See the notes in those verses for more translation advice.

stays far from them: The plural pronoun them refers back to “thorns and snares.” A person who values and protects his life stays far away from the dangers that face a wicked person. It is implied that he also avoids taking the same path as wicked people.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

will stay at a distance (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
will avoid it (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
will stay far away from that dangerous path

General Comment on 22:5a–b

In some languages, it may be more natural to reword these two lines as “if” clauses. For example:

5a If you are a wicked person, many thorn bushes and snares will block your path.

5b If you value your life, you will avoid these dangers.

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