Translation commentary on Proverbs 6:33

“Wounds and dishonor will he get”: As verses 34-35 show, the “wounds” (Hebrew “wound”) and “dishonor” are a result of the action taken by the vengeful husband of the woman. “Get” renders the Hebrew “find” and the whole expression must often be restructured to say something equivalent to Good News Translation “beaten up.” Biblia Dios Habla Hoy says “He will have to face blows.” “Dishonor” means to be held in contempt or scorn, to be looked down upon, or to be shamed. In some languages this idea is expressed idiomatically; for example, “to take away the swollen heart” or “to set him beneath all the rest.” In many languages this line is naturally expressed as “People will beat him and despise him.”

“And his disgrace will not be wiped away”: “Disgrace”, which matches dishonor in the first line, is the same word used in 2 Sam 13.13, where Tamar says “where could I carry my shame?” (Contemporary English Version “I’ll be disgraced forever!”). “Wiped away”, blotted out, or erased translates a verb commonly used of removing such things as tears, sins, or memory. Here the adulterer’s shame or “disgrace” cannot be taken away or canceled.

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 6:33)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Proverbs 6:33:

  • Kupsabiny: “He will be boxed/beaten ashamed and his name spoiled forever.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “He will have to be beaten
    and he will be dishonored.
    He will have to live forever being ashamed.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “He will-be-beaten, and he will-be-put-to-shame forever/[lit. until whenever].” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Sickness of the body and being-shamed that cannot be-wiped-away is what he will gain/acquire.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 6:33

6:33

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning. The second line intensifies the thought of the first by describing the man’s disgrace/shame as permanent.

33a
Wounds and dishonor will befall him,

33b and his reproach will never be wiped away ;

6:33a–b

dishonor…reproach: the terms dishonor and reproach are synonyms. Both refer to the public humiliation, contempt, or disgrace that the adulterer will suffer in the community as a result of the husband’s action.

6:33a

Wounds and dishonor will befall him: The word translated here as Wounds can also mean “blows” (New International Version) or other injuries. In this context, it probably refers to blows. The phrase will befall him is literally “he will find/get.” Other ways to translate this clause are:

All he will get is blows and contempt (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
He will face/suffer blows and shame
-or-
He will be beaten up and disgraced (New Century Version)

If your language requires you to specify who did the beating, it was probably the wronged husband. However, others may have been involved, so a more general term would be preferable. For example, in some languages, it is natural to say:

There is/are someone/people who will beat him and publicly shame him.

6:33b

his reproach will never be wiped away: In Hebrew, the verb wiped away also means “blotted out” (New Jerusalem Bible) or “erased” (New Living Translation (2004)). These figurative expressions indicate here that his shame will never be removed. Other ways to translate this clause are:

he will be permanently disgraced (Good News Translation)
-or-
his shame will never go away (New Century Version)

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