Translation commentary on Proverbs 4:9

Verse 9 completes the quote from the teacher’s father. These lines refer to the ancient wedding custom of the bride placing a garland of flowers or a crown on the head of the groom.

“She will place on your head a fair garland”: See 1.9 for the translation of “fair garland”.

“She will bestow on you a beautiful crown”: A “crown” is sometimes described as a beautiful headpiece, “the [special] hat worn by a king or queen.”

Translators understand verse 9 in two ways: (1) wisdom will give these symbols of honor to you, or (2) wisdom will be these symbols for you. Revised Standard Version translates according to the first understanding. Following the second interpretation we may translate, for example, “Wisdom will be for you like a beautiful wreath and splendid crown for your head.”

In languages in which wreaths and crowns are unknown we may say, for example, “Wisdom will be for you like beautiful flowers and a splendid covering for your head.”

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 4:9)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Proverbs 4:9:

  • Kupsabiny: “Wisdom will make you be honored like a person crowned/anointed with a hat of honor.’” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “It will be a crown for your head."” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “This is like a crown-like flowers that can-make- you (sing.) -beautiful.’” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “If you (sing.) do that, wisdom will-become like beautiful flowers that are used-to-crown you (sing.).’” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 4:9

4:9

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

9a She will set a garland of grace on your head ;

9b she will present you with a crown of beauty.

4:9a–b

She will set a garland of grace on your head; she will present you with a crown of beauty: This verse expresses in figurative language the meaning of “she will honor you” in the previous verse. Putting a graceful wreath of flowers or a splendid gold crown on someone’s head symbolized that they were being publicly honored. For the phrase garland of grace, see the note on 1:9a. The parallel phrase, a crown of beauty, means “a splendid crown.” It may be translated as:

a beautiful crown (New Revised Standard Version)
-or-
a glorious crown (Revised English Bible)

Notice that this is the last verse that quotes the words of the speaker’s father. In some languages, this may need to be indicated explicitly. See 4:9a–b (combined/reordered) in the Display.

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