fat, oil

The different Hebrew and Greek terms that are translated as “(olive) oil” and “(animal) fat” in English are translated in Kwere with only one term: mavuta. (Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

Translation commentary on Proverbs 5:3

“For” at the beginning of this verse introduces what follows as the teacher’s wisdom and insight. Verses 3-6 describe what is called by Revised Standard Version “a loose woman”, as in 2.16. The advice to stay away from such a woman begins with verse 8.

“The lips of a loose woman . . .”: “A loose woman” is interpreted by some as a foreign woman, one who is not an Israelite. See 2.16. However, it seems clear from the context that the writer has an immoral or seductive woman in mind rather than an alien female. Because there is reference later to the husband of the woman, some translations express “loose woman” as “[if there is] a woman leaving her husband and looking-desiring you. . ..”

“Lips . . . drip honey” is a figurative expression. The image is seen in Psa 19.10 (Hebrew verse 11), where it describes honey dripping from the honeycomb, that is, the cells of wax filled by the honey bees. For “honey” see 24.13. In our verse the sweet words of the woman are compared to honey dripping from a honeycomb. By contrast in Song 4.11 the lovely bride is described as having honey and milk under her tongue. The sense of the figure in this verse is that of a seductive, tempting female. This is expressed in one translation as “. . . makes sweet talk to pull [seduce] you.” Another possible interpretation of “drip honey” is kissing (Scott). This seems very appropriate in the context of seduction, and is followed by Good News Translation.

“And her speech is smoother than oil”: The Revised Standard Version footnote shows that “speech” is literally “palate,” which is the roof or top of the inside of the mouth. In Job 12.11 Job speaks of the palate as tasting food. Psa 5.9 (Hebrew verse 10) says literally, “They make smooth their tongues” as a description of flattery. “Oil” refers to olive oil and not to oil taken from below the ground.

The figurative expression in line 2 is taken by many to refer to insincere but charming flattery, alluring words that excite the man’s lustful desires. Many languages use images such as these to speak of seduction and flattery. If, however, “oil” is not a suitable metaphor for flattery, then local expressions may be substituted. If no figurative language is available, it may be possible to say, for example, “The lips of the bad woman speak words that attract men and flatter them.” In some languages to flatter is “to make the heart swell” or “to blow air into the ear.”

Note Good News Translation “her kisses as smooth as olive oil.” The whole verse is expressed in one Pacific language as “The mouth of another man’s wife may be as sweet as sugar, and her kissing very delightful, but. . ..”

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 5:3)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Proverbs 5:3:

  • Kupsabiny: “The mouth/speech of an adulterous woman is sweet like honey and her words are smooth/soft more than oil.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “The lips of the adulteress seem sweet like honey,
    and her words are as smooth as oil.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “For the word of an evil woman is sweet same-as honey, and good/pleasant same-as the olive oil.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “For the speech of a woman who commits-adultery, it is sweet like honey and smoother than (vegetable/coconut)-oil,” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 5:3

5:3

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

3a Though the lips of the forbidden woman drip honey

3b and her speech is smoother than oil,

5:3a–b

the lips of the forbidden woman…her speech: There are two ways to interpret the word that the Berean Standard Bible translates here as lips :

(1) “Lips” is a figure of speech (metonymy) that refers to the words of an adulteress. For example:

The words of another man’s wife may seem sweet as honey (New Century Version)

(2) “Lips” refers to the literal lips of an adulteress. For example:

The lips of another man’s wife may be as sweet as honey (Good News Translation)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because it better fits the parallel expression in 5:3b. It also better fits the preceding context, which deals with the father’s words and the son’s words.

drip honey…smoother than oil: These are parallel metaphors. The first metaphor compares the words of the unfaithful wife to honey that falls drop by drop from the honeycomb. The second metaphor compares her words to olive oil, which was used both for rubbing on the skin and in cooking.

The Contemporary English Version expresses the point of comparison of both of these figures of speech:

The words of an immoral woman may be as sweet as honey and as smooth as olive oil. (Contemporary English Version)

In the Hebrew language, these metaphors both refer to flattering, seductive words. In some languages, “sweet” and “smooth” are not used to describe words, or they may have the wrong meaning. If that is true in your language, you have several options:

• Make explicit a point of comparison that fits with words or speech. For example:

Her words are ⌊persuasive and flattering⌋ like the sweetest honey or like smooth oil.

• Use a different figure of speech from your language that emphasizes the nature of flattering words.

• State the meaning directly. For example:

The words of an adulteress are delightfully tempting and flattering.

5:3a

Though: The word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Though is translated as “For” in most English versions. This word introduces the reason that the young man should make careful decisions. It is because the words of the adulteress are enticing. In some languages, it may be necessary to make this connection more explicit. For example:

⌊You need to be careful⌋ because…

forbidden woman: See the note on 2:16a. This woman was “immoral” (Contemporary English Version), and she may have been a prostitute. But it is clear from the following verses that she was “another man’s wife” (Good News Translation).

drip honey: In some languages, it may be awkward to make explicit that this phrase refers to honey that drips from a honeycomb. If that is true in your language, you may use a more general expression. For example:

as sweet as honey (Good News Translation)

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