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Proverbs 18:4
New International Version
Proverbs 18:4
New International Version
4 The words of the mouth are deep waters,(A)
but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream.
Proverbs 18:4
New English Translation
Proverbs 18:4
New English Translation
4 The words of a person’s mouth[a] are like[b] deep waters,[c]
and[d] the fountain of wisdom[e] is like[f] a flowing brook.[g]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 18:4 tc The LXX reads “in a person’s heart,” probably conforming to the near parallel in Prov 20:5.
- Proverbs 18:4 tn The comparative “like” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is implied by the metaphor; it is supplied in the translation for the sake of clarity.
- Proverbs 18:4 sn The metaphor “deep waters” indicates either that the words have an inexhaustible supply or that they are profound. Keil and Delitzsch see the second line as two more characteristics of the man’s words rather than as a second sentence, i.e., a person’s words are: deep waters, a bubbling brook, a fountain of wisdom. The “bubbling brook” would refer to the supply and “deep waters” to their insightfulness, or what is beneath the surface. See also Prov 20:5 for the metaphor “deep waters.”
- Proverbs 18:4 tn There is debate about the nature of the parallelism between lines 4a and 4b. The major options are: (1) synonymous parallelism, (2) antithetical parallelism (e.g., NAB, NIV, NCV) or (3) formal parallelism. Normally a vav (ו) would begin an antithetical clause; the structure and the ideas suggest that the second colon continues the idea of the first half, but in a parallel way rather than as additional predicates. The metaphors used in the proverb elsewhere describe the wise.
- Proverbs 18:4 sn This is an implied comparison (hypocatastasis), the fountain of wisdom being the person who speaks. The Greek version has “fountain of life” instead of “wisdom,” probably influenced from 10:11.
- Proverbs 18:4 tn The comparative “like” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is implied by the metaphor; it is supplied for the sake of clarity.
- Proverbs 18:4 sn The point of this metaphor is that the wisdom is a continuous source of refreshing and beneficial ideas.
Proverbs 19:8
New International Version
Proverbs 19:8
New International Version
8 The one who gets wisdom loves life;
the one who cherishes understanding will soon prosper.(A)
Proverbs 19:8
New English Translation
Proverbs 19:8
New English Translation
8 The one who acquires understanding[a] loves himself;[b]
the one who preserves understanding will prosper.[c]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 19:8 tn The term לֵב (lev, “mind, heart”) is used as a metonymy of association for what one does with the mind (thinking), and so refers to discernment, wisdom, good sense. Most English versions translate as “wisdom” or “sense” but cf. NAB “intelligence.”
- Proverbs 19:8 tn Heb “his own soul.” The expression “loves his soul” means that he is paying attention to his needs or taking care of his life (cf. NAB “is his own best friend”). This expression works with its parallel to provide the whole idea: “loving the soul” is the metonymy of the cause for prospering, and “prospering” is the metonymy of the effect (of loving).
- Proverbs 19:8 tn Heb “finds good” (similar KJV, NASB); NCV “will succeed.” The MT reads לִמְצֹא (limtsoʾ), a Qal infinitive construct. The LXX (as well as the other major early versions) renders it as a future, which reflects a Vorlage of יִמְצָא (yimtsaʾ). The infinitive is used here in a modal sense, meaning “is destined to” or “is certain of” finding good in life.
Proverbs 24:3
New International Version
Proverbs 24:3
New International Version
Saying 21
3 By wisdom a house is built,(A)
and through understanding it is established;
Proverbs 24:3
New English Translation
Proverbs 24:3
New English Translation
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Footnotes
- Proverbs 24:3 tn The preposition ב (bet, “by; through”) in these two lines indicates means.
- Proverbs 24:3 sn The twentieth saying, vv. 3-4, concerns the use of wisdom for domestic enterprises. In Prov 9:1 wisdom was personified as a woman who builds a house, but here the emphasis is primarily on the building—it is a sign of security and prosperity (C. H. Toy, Proverbs [ICC], 442). One could still make a secondary application from this line for a household or “family” (cf. NCV, which sees this as a reference to the family).
Proverbs 24:7
New International Version
Proverbs 24:7
New International Version
Saying 23
7 Wisdom is too high for fools;
in the assembly at the gate they must not open their mouths.
Proverbs 24:7
New English Translation
Proverbs 24:7
New English Translation
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Footnotes
- Proverbs 24:7 tc The MT reads רָאמוֹת (raʾmot, “corals”)—wisdom to the fool is corals, i.e., an unattainable treasure. With a slight change in the text, removing the א (ʾalef), the reading is רָמוֹת (ramot, “high”), i.e., wisdom is too high—unattainable—for a fool. The internal evidence favors the emendation, which is followed by most English versions including KJV.
- Proverbs 24:7 tn Heb “[city] gate,” a metonymy of subject, meaning what goes on in the gate—court cases and business transactions. So it is in these assemblies that the fool keeps quiet. The term “court” has been used in the translation for clarity. Some English versions do not emphasize the forensic connotation here: NCV “in a discussion”; NLT “When the leaders gather.”
- Proverbs 24:7 sn The verse portrays a fool out of his element: In a serious moment in the gathering of the community, he does not even open his mouth (a metonymy of cause, meaning “speak”). Wisdom is too high for the fool—it is beyond his ability.
Proverbs 24:14
New International Version
Proverbs 24:14
New International Version
14 Know also that wisdom is like honey for you:
If you find it, there is a future hope for you,
and your hope will not be cut off.(A)
Proverbs 24:14
New English Translation
Proverbs 24:14
New English Translation
14 Likewise, know[a] that wisdom is sweet[b] to your soul;
if you have found it,[c] you have a future,[d]
and your hope will not be cut off.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 24:14 tn D. W. Thomas argues for a meaning of “seek” in place of “know” (“Notes on Some Passages in the Book of Proverbs,” JTS 38 [1937]: 400-403).
- Proverbs 24:14 tn The phrase “is sweet” is supplied in the translation as a clarification.
- Proverbs 24:14 tn The term “it” is supplied in the translation.
- Proverbs 24:14 tn Heb “there will be an אַחֲרִית (ʾakharit), which means “end, result, following period.” It suggests a future, which may imply posterity. It is sometimes connected with hope (Jer 29:11: 31:17; Prov 23:18).
Proverbs 28:26
New International Version
Proverbs 28:26
New International Version
Proverbs 28:26
New English Translation
Proverbs 28:26
New English Translation
26 The one who trusts in his own heart[a] is a fool,
but the one who walks in wisdom[b] will escape.[c]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 28:26 sn The idea of “trusting in one’s own heart” is a way of describing one who is self-reliant. C. H. Toy says it means to follow the untrained suggestions of the mind or to rely on one’s own mental resources (Proverbs [ICC], 505). It is arrogant to take no counsel but to rely only on one’s own intelligence.
- Proverbs 28:26 sn The idiom of “walking in wisdom” means to live life according to the acquired skill and knowledge passed on from the sages. It is the wisdom from above that the book of Proverbs presents, not the undisciplined and uninformed wit and wisdom from below.
- Proverbs 28:26 tn The verb form יִמָּלֵט (yimmalet) is the Niphal imperfect; the form means “to escape.” In this context one would conclude that it means “to escape from trouble,” because the one who lives in this life by wisdom will escape trouble, and the one who trusts in himself will not.
Proverbs 30:24-28
New International Version
Proverbs 30:24-28
New International Version
24 “Four things on earth are small,
yet they are extremely wise:
25 Ants are creatures of little strength,
yet they store up their food in the summer;(A)
26 hyraxes(B) are creatures of little power,
yet they make their home in the crags;
27 locusts(C) have no king,
yet they advance together in ranks;
28 a lizard can be caught with the hand,
yet it is found in kings’ palaces.
Proverbs 30:24-28
New English Translation
Proverbs 30:24-28
New English Translation
24 There are four things on earth that are small,[a]
but they are exceedingly wise:[b]
25 ants are creatures with little strength,
but they prepare[c] their food in the summer;
26 rock badgers[d] are creatures with little power,
but they make their homes in the crags;
27 locusts have no king,
but they all go forward by ranks;[e]
28 a lizard[f] you can catch with the hand,
but it gets into the palaces of the king.[g]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 30:24 tn Heb “Four are the small things of the earth.” TEV has “four animals,” though in the list of four that follows, two are insects and one is a reptile.
- Proverbs 30:24 tn The construction uses the Pual participle with the plural adjective as an intensive; these four creatures are the very embodiment of wisdom (BDB 314 s.v. חָכַם Pu).
- Proverbs 30:25 sn The wisdom of the ants is found in their diligent preparation (כּוּן, kun) of food supplies in the summer for times in the winter when food is scarce. See S. P. Toperoff, “The Ant in the Bible and Midrash,” Dor le Dor 13 (1985): 179-83. According to this, being prepared ahead of time is a mark of true wisdom.
- Proverbs 30:26 tn Or “hyraxes.” This is the Syrian Hyrax, also known as the rock badger. KJV, ASV has “conies” (alternately spelled “coneys” by NIV), a term usually associated with the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) but which can also refer to the pika or the hyrax. Scholars today generally agree that the Hebrew term used here refers to a type of hyrax, a small ungulate mammal of the family Procaviidae native to Africa and the Middle East which has a thick body, short legs and ears and a rudimentary tail. The simple “badger” (so NASB, NRSV, CEV) could lead to confusion with the badger, an entirely unrelated species of burrowing mammal related to weasels.sn Modern scholars identify this creature with the rock badger (the Syrian hyrax), a small mammal that lives in the crevices of the rock. Its wisdom consists in its ingenuity to find a place of security.
- Proverbs 30:27 sn The Hebrew term means “divided”; they go forward in orderly divisions, or ranks (C. H. Toy, Proverbs [ICC], 535). Joel 1:4 describes their order and uses it as a picture of a coming invasion (e.g., Joel 2:7, 8). Therefore the wisdom of the locust is in their order and cooperation.
- Proverbs 30:28 tn The KJV appears to have followed Rashi in translating this term as “spider,” so also JPS (and the note in the NRSV). But almost all modern English versions and commentators, following the Greek and the Latin versions, have “lizard.” See HALOT 1338 s.v. שְׂמָמִית.sn The point of this saying is that a weak creature like a lizard, that is so easily caught, cannot be prevented from getting into the most significant places.
- Proverbs 30:28 tn Although the Hebrew noun translated “king” is singular here, it is traditionally translated as plural: “kings’ palaces” (so KJV, NASB, NIV, NRSV).
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