complete verse (Proverbs 6:22)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Proverbs 6:22:

  • Kupsabiny: “When you are walking, those words will guide/lead your way/path, when you sleep (they) will keep/guard you, and when you get up (they) will counsel/advise you.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “When you go on the path,
    they will show you the way,
    when you sleep, they will care for you,
    and when you are getting up,
    they will talk with you.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “This will-guide, keep, and remind in your (sing.) living, whatever you (sing.) do.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “What they have-taught are what will guide/lead you (sing.) if/when there-is a place-where-you (sing.)-will-go and what-will-guard you (sing.) if/when you (sing.) sleep. When you (sing.) wake-up, that is what-will-advise you (sing.).” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)

Translation commentary on Proverbs 6:22

“When you walk they will lead you”: The picture created in this line is that of the learner walking behind a guide or leader. Note that the Revised Standard Version footnote shows the Hebrew text has “it” in place of “they”. The reference is to the commandments and teachings, so “they” is more natural for many languages. “Walk” is to be taken in a general sense of “anywhere you may go.” It is not in contrast to some other form of movement, such as running or jumping.

“When you lie down, they will watch over you”: “Lie down” means for the purpose of sleeping, that is, “When you go to bed” or “While you sleep.” “Watch over” means to guard, protect, or take care of. The language is clearly figurative, and in some languages it must be shifted to a simile; for example, “watch over you as a night watchman [guard] while you sleep.”

“When you awake, they will talk with you”: This may need to be adjusted to say, for example, “. . . will talk to you like a friend.” “Talk” is to be taken as more than making conversation, for example, “to give advice,” “to instruct,” or “to counsel you.” Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch says “They will lead you in your work, protect you while you sleep, and counsel you when you are awake.” Note also Good News Translation “. . . protect you at night, and advise you during the day.”

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 6:22

6:22

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

22a
When you walk, they will guide you ;

22b
when you lie down, they will watch over you ;

22c
when you awake, they will speak to you.

In this verse, the parents’ teachings are personified as a constant guide, guardian, and adviser for the young man.

6:22a

When you walk: In this context, the clause When you walk means to go about from place to place while doing one’s daily tasks. It does not mean “walk” in contrast to some other way of moving, nor is the meaning limited to “when you travel” (Good News Translation). The meaning is better expressed by:

while you are active (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
during the day

they will guide you: The parents’ instruction is described as a guide who walks ahead of the young man to show him the right path to take.

6:22b

when you lie down: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates literally as lie down means to lie down in order to go to sleep. The Good News Translation uses neither of these verbs. It expresses the same meaning by focusing on the time when most people sleep. It has:

at night

they will watch over you: Parental teaching is personified as a night watchman or guard who protects people from harm or danger.

6:22c

when you awake, they will speak to you: The phrase speak to you refers to advice, not to mere conversation. When the young man wakes up in the morning, the lessons he has learned from his parents will be with him like a companion to advise him.

General Comment on 6:22a–c

You are encouraged to use personification if possible, but if it is not natural in your language, here are some other options:

• Use similes. For example:

As you go about your daily activities, your parents’ teaching will be like a guide who shows you the right path to take. At night their teaching will be like a guard who protects you from danger. And when you wake up again in the morning, their words will still be in your mind, like a constant companion who offers you good advice.

• If figurative language is not possible, translate the meaning without using a figure of speech. For example:

If you do this, you will have a good basis for making decisions as you go from place to place during the day. Following their instruction will also protect you from things that might harm you as you sleep. And when you wake up again, their words will still be there in your mind as a source of good advice.

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