wisdom

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The Hebrew, Aramaic, Ge’ez, Latin, and Greek that is translated as “wisdom” in English is rendered in various ways:

  • Amganad Ifugao / Tabasco Chontal: “(big) mind”
  • Bulu / Yamba: “heart-thinking”
  • Tae’: “cleverness of heart” (source for this and all above: Reiling / Swellengrebel)
  • Palauan: “bright spirit (innermost)” (source: Bratcher / Hatton)
  • Ixcatlán Mazatec: “with your best/biggest thinking” (source: Robert Bascom)
  • Noongar: dwangka-boola, lit. “ear much” (source: Portions of the Holy Bible in the Nyunga language of Australia, 2018 — see also remember)
  • Kwere “to know how to live well” (source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)
  • Dobel: “their ear holes are long-lasting” (in Acts 6:3) (source: Jock Hughes)
  • Gbaya: iŋa-mgbara-mɔ or “knowing-about-things” (note that in comparison to that, “knowledge” is translated as iŋa-mɔ or “knowing things”) (source: Philip Noss in The Bible Translator 2001, p. 114ff. )
  • Chichewa: nzeru, meaning both “knowledge” and “wisdom” (source: Mawu a Mulungu mu Chichewa Chalero Back Translation)
  • Uma: “clearness” (source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Kako: “heart thinking” (source: Reyburn 2002, p. 190)

In Hungarian Sign Language it is translated with a hand gesture referring to God to indicate a human quality to communicate that wisdom does not originate from man but is linked to and connected with the fear of God (source: Jenjelvi Biblia and HSL Bible Translation Group):


“Wisdom” in Hungarian Sign Language (source )

See also wisdom (Proverbs) and knowledge.

wisdom ("heart wisdom")

In the Tzeltal translation for the dialectal variant of Highland Tzeltal (Biblia Tzeltal yu’un Oxchuc soc Tenejapa, 2001) the translation team used three different words to translate the Hebrew term that is translated as “wisdom” or “wise” in English. For the verses referenced here, it uses p’ijil-o’tanil or “heart wisdom.”

For the complete story and more background, please see wisdom (Proverbs).

Translation commentary on Proverbs 7:4

The two lines of this verse are parallel and very close in meaning. The association of “wisdom” with “sister” and “friend” is a close and intimate relationship.

“Say to wisdom, “You are my sister””: Revised Standard Version uses direct address, but it is also possible to say, for example, “Call wisdom your sister” or “Let wisdom be like a sister to you.” In languages that make a distinction between older and younger sister, “older sister” will normally be appropriate. Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch says “Consider [regard, look upon] wisdom as your sister.”

“Call insight your intimate friend”: For “insight” see 1.2. “Intimate friend” translates the term for kinsman used of Boaz in relation to Ruth’s dead husband in Ruth 2.1 and 3.2. The term carries with it a sense of obligation. “Best friend” or “closest friend” is a good rendering in this context.

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 7:4)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Proverbs 7:4:

  • Kupsabiny: “Let knowledge be your sibling and wisdom be your relative.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Adopt wisdom as your younger sister,
    and foresight as closest friend.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Consider wisdom as your (sing.) female sibling/(sister) and understanding as your (sing.) close friend.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “You (sing.) should cause- wisdom -to-become like your (sing.) female sibling/cousin and count/consider understanding as the best of your (sing.) friends.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 7:4

7:4

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

4a
Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,”

4b and call understanding your kinsman,

7:4a–b

Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call understanding your kinsman: The first clause uses a direct quote. The second clause uses an indirect quote. Other ways to translate these clauses are:

• Change the first clause to an indirect quote. For example:

Call wisdom your sister.

• Change the second clause to a direct quote:

Say to understanding, ‘You are my kinsman.’

This verse contains personification. wisdom and understanding are spoken of figuratively as if they were people. Both clauses mean that the young man should relate to wisdom and understanding in the same way that he would relate to a close friend. In languages that do not use personification in this way, other ways to translate this verse are:

4a Treat wisdom as a sister, 4b and make understanding your closest friend. (New Century Version)
-or-
4a Love wisdom like a sister; 4b make insight a beloved member of your family. (New Living Translation (2004))

For more information on the personification of wisdom, see the note at 1:20a–b.

wisdom…understanding: For more information on these words, see wisdom and understanding (insight) in the Glossary.

7:4a

sister: The word translated here as sister is a term of endearment for a girlfriend or wife. In this context, it expresses intimacy and affection. In languages that need to specify older or younger sister, “older sister” would probably be the better choice.

7:4b

kinsman: In Hebrew, the word kinsman is used elsewhere only of Boaz in Ruth 2:1 and 3:2. Here in Proverbs, it indicates a trusted friend or relative. For example:

closest friend (Good News Translation)

General Comment on 7:4a–b

In some languages, it may be more natural to combine and/or reorder the parallel lines. For example:

Treat/Consider wisdom and understanding as close and much loved friends.

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