complete verse (Proverbs 24:6)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Proverbs 24:6:

  • Kupsabiny: “If you want to be victorious in war, seek to be counselled/advised.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “So before going to battle one must think carefully.
    You can only win the battle
    if you listen to the advice of many.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “for their advices are needed for fighting/war. And chance to win is big if the advisers are many.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Because a person wins in war because of good advice and many plans.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Proverbs 24:6

“For by wise guidance you can wage your war”: The opening “for” indicates that this is the reason or the explanation for the previous verse. For an almost identical statement of the rest of the line, and for comments on it, see 20.18 (line 2). This line clearly establishes the military context for the whole saying.

“And in abundance of counselors there is victory”: This line is identical in Hebrew with the second line of 11.14. See there for comments.

Since “your war” is only a possible future event, in some languages it is best to restructure this verse as a conditional sentence (or two conditional sentences). For example, one translation starts with “If you want to go and make war, you must have a good plan [strategy] first.”

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 24:6

24:6

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning. The English Standard Version has been used as the source line because it more clearly indicates the relationship between 24:5 and 24:6.

6a for by wise guidance you can wage your war, (English Standard Version)

6b and in abundance of counselors there is victory. (English Standard Version)

Verse 24:6 shows how wisdom increases the effectiveness of a person’s power. In the context of war, wise advisers enable soldiers to use their strength effectively and defeat their enemies.

24:6a

(English Standard Version) for: The parallel lines of 24:6 give an example that explains why 24:5 is true. The Hebrew word that the English Standard Version translates as for introduces this explanation. Some other ways to introduce this explanation are:

For example,…
-or-
This is true, because…

(English Standard Version) by wise guidance you can wage your war: This clause means that a person can fight or conduct a war if someone gives him good advice. It is implied that by means of this advice he will make good plans and fight effectively. Some other ways to translate this clause are:

you need advice when you go to war (New Century Version)
-or-
you can fight well if someone helps you to make good plans

See the Notes on 20:18b, which is similar in meaning.

For wise guidance, see advice 2 in the Glossary.

24:6b

(English Standard Version) and in abundance of counselors there is victory: This clause probably indicates that the person who fights the war (24:6a) will defeat his enemies. As a result of the wise counsel of many advisers, he will win the victory. Some other ways to translate this clause are:

If you have lots of good advice, you will win. (New Century Version)
-or-
and with numerous advisers there is victory (NET Bible

In Hebrew, this clause is identical to 11:14b. See the notes there. However, that verse part contrasts with the parallel line in 11:14a. Here the parallel lines are similar in meaning. The wording of the parallel line in 24:6a is also different from 11:14a.

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