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.

Translation commentary on Wisdom 8:5

Verses 5-8 are a parallel series, each with more or less the same form. They say that if riches (verse 5), understanding (verse 6), righteousness (verse 7), and experience (verse 8) are good to have, then nothing can be better than having Wisdom since she brings all these qualities. Translators should try to use the same form in each of these verses. Good News Translation has chosen to begin each with a question, followed by a statement, but other approaches are possible:

• Since riches are a good thing to have, nothing is richer than Wisdom.

• Since riches are a good thing to have, can anything be richer than Wisdom?

• Riches are good to have, and nothing is richer than Wisdom.

• Riches are good, aren’t they? But nothing is richer than Wisdom.

If riches are a desirable possession in life: The If clause makes the assumption that riches or wealth is good. In life adds nothing to the meaning of the line, and if it is distracting, it should not be included. The first line can also be a statement; for example, “It is good to have riches [or, great possessions],” or we may say “Since it is good to be rich….”

What is richer than wisdom who effects all things?: If wealth is a good thing, then people should wish for Wisdom since “Nothing can make you richer…” (Good News Translation). The Greek literally says that it is Wisdom who is rich, but Good News Translation makes the point the author wants to make. Who effects all things is better rendered by New English Bible: “the active cause of all things.” We could also say “who has produced everything that exists.”

Possible models for the whole verse are:

• Since it is good to have riches, there is nothing that can make you richer than Wisdom. She has produced [or, made] everything that exists.

• Riches [or, many possessions] are good to have, and nothing can make you richer [or, more wealthy] than Wisdom….

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on The Wisdom of Solomon. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2004. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.