Translation commentary on Proverbs 9:17

The lines of this verse sound like the quotation of a popular saying.

“Stolen water is sweet”: A reference to “water” is also made in 5.15, where it is used as a warning against adultery. Here “Stolen water” refers to sexual pleasures that are forbidden and so must be enjoyed in secret.

“Bread eaten in secret is pleasant”: “Bread” renders the same word as in verse 5 and may refer to food generally. This line is probably a strengthening of the first line. Some interpret it to refer to the criminal acts that tempt young men to get easy money as in 1.11; 4.14-17; and 6.12-15. For a good translation model see Good News Translation or Contemporary English Version “Stolen water tastes best, and the food you eat in secret tastes best of all.”

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 9:17)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Proverbs 9:17:

  • Kupsabiny: “‘Sweet is stolen water and sweet are the foods that are eaten while hiding oneself.’” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Stolen water is delicious,
    Bread eaten in secret tastes good."” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “‘Stolen water is good/tasty/better and bread eaten in secret is more delicious.’” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “because stolen water is delicious. Also delicious is food that one-hides to eat.’” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 9:17

9:17

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

17a “Stolen water is sweet,

17b and bread eaten in secret is tasty !”

9:17a–b

Stolen water…bread eaten in secret: Both of these phrases are figurative expressions that refer primarily to forbidden sexual relations (see 5:15–19 and 30:20). If this is not clear to your readers, it is suggested that you add a footnote that says something similar to the preceding sentence.

This verse should be understood as a continuation of Folly’s invitation in 9:16. She is inviting people to come into her house and eat, just as Wisdom did in 9:5. If this is not clear, you may need to make it explicit. For example:

⌊Join in my feast, because⌋ stolen water….”

Stolen water: In an OT context, it is probable that Stolen water was stolen from another person’s private well or cistern. In some languages, it may be necessary to make explicit the source of the stolen water. For example:

Water that is stolen ⌊from the wells of others⌋ is more tasty.

sweet…tasty: In Hebrew, both of these terms can mean “sweet,” “pleasant,” or “delightful.” Use natural terms in your language to describe water and food that tastes good/delicious. These lines imply that stolen water tastes better than regular water, and food eaten in secret is more delicious than other food. A number of versions use comparative or superlative forms to make this implied information explicit. For example:

Stolen water is sweeter, and food eaten in secret tastes better. (New Century Version)
-or-
Stolen water tastes best, and the food you eat in secret tastes best of all. (Contemporary English Version)

9:17b

bread eaten in secret: In Hebrew, this phrase is literally “bread of secrecies.” There are two ways to interpret this phrase:

(1) This phrase refers to bread/food that is eaten secretly/stealthily. It is eaten in a quiet or secret way to avoid the notice of others. For example:

bread eaten in secret (New Revised Standard Version)

(2) This phrase refers to bread/food that is obtained secretly. For example:

Stolen bread (Good News Translation)

There is little practical difference between these interpretations, since food that is eaten secretly may have been stolen. But it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), because it adds a new element of meaning to the first line. Illicit sexual intercourse is pleasurable because it is prohibited (stolen). It is also pleasurable because it has to be enjoyed in secret. This makes it more enticing.

This verse is the end of Folly’s spoken words, so this may need to be made explicit in languages that use a concluding quote formula.

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