Translation commentary on Proverbs 6:28

“Or can one walk upon hot coals”: “Hot coals” refers to the burning coals (charcoal) made from wood.

“And his feet not be scorched?”: “Feet” refers to the soles of the feet. The same adjustments apply to this rhetorical question as in verse 27.

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 6:28)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Proverbs 6:28:

  • Kupsabiny: “Or truly is there any person who can walk on fire and his feet are not scorched?” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Can anyone walk on a fire which is burning
    without burning the soles of his feet?” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “If you (sing.) will-walk on a live-coal/ember your (sing.) feet will-be-burned.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “If a person steps-on glowing coals, will his feet not be-burned?” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 6:28

6:28

Can a man walk on hot coals without scorching his feet?: Other ways to translate the phrase without scorching his feet are:

and not blister his feet (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
without burning your feet (Good News Translation)

Use a natural expression in your language to describe what happens to a person’s feet in such a situation. Notice that some versions, such as the Berean Standard Bible, use third person reference (“a man”) in these verses. Other versions, such as the Good News Translation, use second person (“you”). Use whatever is more natural in your language.

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