Translation commentary on Proverbs 6:23

“For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light”: The words translated “commandment” and “teaching” are the same as in verse 20. Judaism has held that the “teaching” (Hebrew torah) is the written law while “commandment” (Hebrew mitswah) is the application of the written law. However, it is important to consider the meanings of these terms in their contexts. Although modern translations differ in their treatment of this line, most take “commandment” and “teaching” to refer to the same as in verse 20. See Good News Translation “their instructions.” New International Version has “these commands . . . this teaching.” Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch makes the reference to verse 20 even more direct by saying, “What father and mother have taught you is. . ..”

“A lamp” refers to an oil lamp, that is, a container holding olive oil and a wick. If it is not natural to say that a “commandment” is a “lamp”, it may be necessary to shift to something equivalent to “. . . gives light like a lamp” or “. . . shows the way like a lamp in the dark.” “The teaching” (is) “a light” may have to be adjusted in a similar way. It is also possible to reduce “lamp” and “light” to one by saying, for example, “Their instruction is like a light in the dark” or “What they teach you brings light like a lamp burning in the dark.”

“The reproofs of discipline are the way of life”: “Reproof”, which means to correct, rebuke, or scold, is the same as used in 1.23. “Reproofs of discipline” refers to the corrections that come from the application of “discipline” and training. This expression may also be taken as “correction and training.” “Way of life” is the goal of correction and so Good News Translation has “can teach you how to live” and Contemporary English Version “will lead you through life.” We may also say, for example, “Correction and discipline will show you how to live.”

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 6:23)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Proverbs 6:23:

  • Kupsabiny: “It is like that because these words that you are being advised is your lamp and these teachings are (a) light so that you are disciplined and find/get life.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “For their commands are a lamp,
    Their corrective instruction is light.
    Their rebuke will cause
    your life to prosper.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “For these that they are-commanding and teaching are like a lamp that will-light you (sing.). And their rebuking of you (sing.), the correcting/[lit. straightening] of your (sing.) behavior, can-make-good and prolong your (sing.) life.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Because their commands/instructions and advice, it-is-compared to a light that shows your (sing.) way to live.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)

law

The Greek, Hebrew, and Ge’ez that is translated in English as “Law” or “law” is translated in Mairasi as oro nasinggiei or “prohibited things” (source: Enggavoter 2004) and in Noongar with a capitalized form of the term for “words” (Warrinya) (source: Warda-Kwabba Luke-Ang).

In Yucateco the phrase that is used for “law” is “ordered-word” (for “commandment,” it is “spoken-word”) (source: Nida 1947, p. 198) and in Central Tarahumara it is “writing-command.” (Source: Waterhouse / Parrott in Notes on Translation October 1967, p. 1ff.)

In a 1922 translation into Chagatai, a precursor language of both Uzbek and Uighur, it is translated with the Arabic loan word shari’at (شريعت), originally meaning “(Islamic) law (Shari’a).” (Source: F. Erbay and F.N. Küçükballı in Acta Theologica 2025 45/2, p. 133ff. )

See also teaching / law (of God) (Japanese honorifics).

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 6:23

6:23

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning. The first two lines are almost identical in meaning. The third line uses a different metaphor. The Revised English Bible has been used as the source line for 6:23a–b, because it follows the recommended interpretation.

23a For a commandment is a lamp, (Revised English Bible)

23b and teaching a light, (Revised English Bible)

23c and the reproofs of discipline are the way to life,

There is an ellipsis in 6:23b. In some languages, the missing word may need to be supplied from 6:23a. For example:

23b and teaching ⌊is⌋ a light

6:23a–b

(Revised English Bible) For: The word For introduces three parallel clauses. They explain the reason for the statement that instruction from parents will guide, protect, and advise the young man. The reason is that all good teaching can be compared to a lamp.

(Revised English Bible) a commandment is a lamp, and teaching a light: The words commandment and teaching are the same words that were used in 6:20. They are always used in Proverbs to refer to instruction from parents. However, here in 6:23 they are compared to a lamp and a light, metaphors that are clearly used of the Law of the LORD in Psalm 119:105. There are different ways to interpret what these words refer to:

(1) The words commandment and teaching refer to law and instruction in general, including the Law of the LORD as well as the instructions from parents mentioned in 6:20. For example:

For the commandments are like a lamp, instruction is like a light. (NET Bible)

(2) They refer only to the instructions from parents. For example:

These commands are like a lamp; this teaching is like a light. (New Century Version)

(3) They refer specifically to the Law of the LORD. Instruction from parents is no longer in view here. For example:

The Law of the Lord is a lamp, and its teachings shine brightly. (Contemporary English Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because it is supported by slightly more versions and scholars. It also includes the other two more specific interpretations.

(Revised English Bible) a lamp…a light: In these synonymous metaphors, commandments and teaching are compared to a lamp or light. They are similar to a lamp or light in several ways. A lamp shows a person where he is going and allows him to see dangerous obstacles on a dark path. It also replaces the darkness with light. In the same way, good teaching shows to a learner the path he should take in life. It reveals to him the dangers that he faces, specifically the danger of getting involved with an adulteress (6:24). It also replaces his ignorance with knowledge.

General Comment on 6:23a–b

In some languages, it may be more natural to combine and/or reorder one or more of the parallel parts in these two lines. For example:

For instructions are a shining light.

It may also be necessary in some languages to express “lamp” or “light” as a verb or to change the metaphors to similes. For example:

For commands and teaching are like a lamp that illuminates the path ahead of you.

If it is necessary to make a point of similarity explicit, do it in a general way, as in the preceding example, so that the translation does not exclude other valid points of similarity.

6:23c

and the reproofs of discipline:
The two words reproofs and discipline are near synonyms. Both terms vary in meaning. They can refer to moral teaching or instruction. They can also refer to rebuke, correction, or punishment. (For “discipline” see discipline in the Glossary.) Because of this overlap in meaning, the Good News Translation combines both ideas into one:

their correction (Good News Translation)

The New Century Version understands the relationship slightly differently:

the correction that comes from them (New Century Version)

(The word “them” refers back to “commandment” and “teaching.”) This phrase may be translated either way.

are the way to life: In Hebrew, the phrase way to life is literally “way/path of life.” There are two ways to interpret this phrase:

(1) the way that leads to life. For example:

will help you have life (New Century Version)

(2) the way how to live. For example:

can teach you how to live (Good News Translation)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). The same interpretation has been followed in the synonymous expressions that occur elsewhere (see the meaning lines in the Display for 2:19b and 5:6a).

life: This word refers primarily to life here on this earth rather than eternal life. It probably connotes a long and prosperous life. See the note on 2:19a–b.

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