scoundrel

The Hebrew that is translated as “scoundrel” or “worthless person” or similar in English is translated in Vidunda as “troublemaker” and Kutu as “very evil person.” (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

complete verse (Proverbs 6:12)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Proverbs 6:12:

  • Kupsabiny: “A wicked man goes around saying words that makes people get lost,” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Rogues and bad people only keep on telling lies.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “The no value/worthless and wicked people tell lies.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “The malicious/cruel person who has no usefulness, he goes-round-and-round telling-lies.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Proverbs 6:12

“A worthless person, a wicked man”: “Worthless” renders a descriptive word used in 1 Sam 25.25 by Abigail to characterize her husband Nabal who had offended David. It describes a person of no account, a good-for-nothing. “Person” translates the Hebrew ʾadam, which can refer to a person of either gender. “A wicked man” is an evil person.

“Goes about with crooked speech”: “Goes about” means such people go here and there and do these things wherever they are. “Crooked speech” is literally “crooked mouth” as used in 4.24. See there for comments. Bible en français courant says, “The one who spreads false words is a nobody and an immoral person.” Contemporary English Version links verse 12 closely to verse 13 by saying “(12) Worthless liars go around (13) winking. . ..”

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 6:12

Paragraph 6:12–15

The first two terms in 6:12a are synonymously parallel. They identify the kind of person that is described in this paragraph. The next six terms or phrases in 6:12b–14b are also parallel. They describe the behavior of this person in more detail. The paragraph concludes in 6:15 with a description of his punishment.

6:12a

A worthless person, a wicked man: These terms are parallel. They describe the same person. The term worthless person refers to a person who is both wicked and worthless. The second term (literally “man of badness” in Hebrew) refers to a person who is evil. Together these two terms describe a type of person who is worthless and wicked. People like this are described in more detail in the following verses. One way to introduce these verses is:

Here is a description of worthless and wicked people: (New Living Translation (1996))

6:12b–14b

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning.

12b
walks with a perverse mouth,

13a
winking his eyes,

13b
speaking with his feet,

13c and pointing with his fingers.

14a
With deceit in his heart he devises evil ;

14b he continually sows discord.

6:12b

walks with a perverse mouth: This expression indicates that wherever these people go, they tell lies and speak deceitfully. Other ways to translate this expression are:

go around telling lies (Good News Translation)
-or-
they are constant liars (New Living Translation (2004))

Also see 4:24a–b. The same Hebrew expression is translated there as “perverse speech.”

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