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Proverbs 1:33
Lexham English Bible
Proverbs 1:33
Lexham English Bible
33 Whoever listens to me will dwell in security
and rest securely[a] from dread and disaster.”
Footnotes
- Proverbs 1:33 Or “be at ease, peace”
Proverbs 1:33
New English Translation
Proverbs 1:33
New English Translation
33 But the one who listens[a] to me will live in security,[b]
and will be at ease[c] from the dread of harm.”
Footnotes
- Proverbs 1:33 tn The participle is used substantivally here: “whoever listens” will enjoy the benefits of the instruction.
- Proverbs 1:33 tn The noun בֶּטַח (betakh, “security”) functions as an adverbial accusative of manner: “in security.” The phrase refers to living in a permanent settled condition without fear of danger (e.g., Deut 33:12; Ps 16:9). It is the antithesis of the dread of disaster facing the fool and the simple.
- Proverbs 1:33 tn The verb שַׁאֲנַן (shaʾanan) is a Palel perfect of שָׁאַן (shaʾan) which means “to be at ease; to rest securely” (BDB 983 s.v. שָׁאַן). Elsewhere it parallels the verb “to be undisturbed” (Jer 30:10), so it means “to rest undisturbed and quiet.” The combination of ו (vav) plus perfect continues the framework of the verb preceding it, in this case the imperfect.
Proverbs 3:21-26
Lexham English Bible
Proverbs 3:21-26
Lexham English Bible
21 My child, may they[a] not escape from your sight;[b]
may you keep sound wisdom and prudence.
22 They shall be life for your soul[c]
and adornment[d] for your neck.
23 Then you will walk in the confidence of your ways,
and your foot will not stumble.
24 If you sit down, you will not panic,[e]
and if you lie down, then your sleep shall be sweet.
25 Do not be afraid of sudden panic,[f]
or the storm of wickedness that will come.
26 Yahweh will be your confidence[g]
and guard your foot from capture.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 3:21 Grammatically, “they” most likely refers to clouds (3:20). In context, “they” may refer to wisdom and understanding (3:13).
- Proverbs 3:21 Literally “eyes”
- Proverbs 3:22 Or “inner self”
- Proverbs 3:22 Or “favor”
- Proverbs 3:24 Or “fear, dread”
- Proverbs 3:25 Or “fear, dread”
- Proverbs 3:26 Literally “in your confidence”
Proverbs 3:21-26
New English Translation
Proverbs 3:21-26
New English Translation
21 My child, do not let them[a] escape from your sight;
safeguard sound wisdom and discretion.[b]
22 So they will become life for your soul,[c]
and grace around your neck.[d]
23 Then you will walk on your way with security,
and you will not stumble.[e]
24 When[f] you lie down[g] you will not be filled with fear;[h]
when you lie down your sleep will be pleasant.[i]
25 Do not be afraid[j] of sudden[k] disaster,[l]
or when destruction overtakes the wicked;[m]
26 for the Lord will be the source of your confidence,[n]
and he will guard your foot[o] from being caught in a trap.[p]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 3:21 tn The object of the verb “escape” is either (1) wisdom, knowledge, and understanding in vv. 13-20 or (2) “wisdom and discretion” in the second colon of this verse. Several English versions transpose the terms “wisdom and discretion” from the second colon into the first colon for the sake of clarity and smoothness (e.g., RSV, NRSV, NIV, TEV, CEV). NIV takes the subject from the second colon and reverses the clauses to clarify that.
- Proverbs 3:21 tn Or: “purpose,” “power of devising.”
- Proverbs 3:22 tn The noun נַפְשֶׁךָ (nafshekha, “your soul”) is a synecdoche of part (= inner soul) for the whole person (= you); see BDB 600 s.v. 4.a.2.
- Proverbs 3:22 tn Heb “for your neck.” Cf. 1:9.
- Proverbs 3:23 sn Heb “You will not strike your foot.” What the foot strikes (cf. Ps 91:12 “against a stone”) is omitted but something is implied. This is a figure (hypocatastasis) comparing stumbling on a stone in the path to making serious mistakes in life that bring harm.
- Proverbs 3:24 tn The particle אִם (ʾim, “if”) here functions in its rare temporal sense (“when”) followed by an imperfect tense (e.g., Num 36:4; BDB 50 s.v. 1.b.4.b).
- Proverbs 3:24 tc The LXX reads “sit down,” presumably from תֵּשֵׁב (teshev) while the MT reads תִּשְׁכַּב (tishkav, “lie down”). Either the LXX translator worked from a text which had lost the כ (kaf) or the MT copyist had a damaged text and restored a verb from the root שָׁכַב (shakav, “to lie down”) based on the following verb. The text restored from the LXX would present a progression from walking (v. 23), to sitting, to lying down: “When you sit down, you will not fear, then you will lie down and your sleep will be pleasant.”
- Proverbs 3:24 tn Heb “will not have dread.” The verb פָּחַד (pakhad, “tremble, shake with fear”) describes emotion that is stronger than mere fear—it is dread.
- Proverbs 3:24 tn The verb עָרְבָה (ʿarevah) is from III עָרַב (ʿarav, “to be sweet; to be pleasing; to be pleasant”; BDB 787 s.v. III עָרַב). It should not be confused with the other five homonymic roots that are also spelled עָרַב (see BDB 786-88).
- Proverbs 3:25 sn The negative exhortation with the jussive verb אַל־תִּירָא (ʾal tiraʾ, “do not be afraid”) is based in part on the assurances given in vv. 23-24 but is directly tied to v. 26.
- Proverbs 3:25 tn Heb “terror of suddenness.” The noun פִּתְאֹם (pitʾom, “sudden”) functions as an attributive genitive: “sudden terror” (e.g., Job 22:10; BDB 837 s.v.).
- Proverbs 3:25 tn Heb “terror.” The noun פַּחַד (pakhad, “terror”) is a metonymy of effect for cause (= disaster); see BDB 808 s.v. 2. This is suggested by the parallelism with the noun מִשֹּׁאַת (mishoʾat, “destruction”) in the following colon. The term פַּחַד (“terror”) often refers to the object (or cause) of terror (e.g., Job 3:25; 15:21; 22:10; 31:23; Pss 31:12; 36:2; Isa 24:18; Jer 48:44).
- Proverbs 3:25 tn Heb “or the destruction of the wicked when it comes.” The noun רְשָׁעִים (reshaʿim, “wicked ones”) probably functions as an objective genitive (the destruction that comes on the wicked) or a genitive of source (the destruction that the wicked bring on others).
- Proverbs 3:26 tn Heb “your confidence” (so NAB, NIV, NRSV) or “at your side.” BDB (492) lists both meanings under one entry for כֶּסֶל (kesel). HALOT (489) sees two homonyms, I כֶּסֶל (“loin, side”) and II כֶּסֶל (“confidence”). The preposition ב (bet) either functions locatively meaning “at your side,” or as a bet essentiae (GKC 379 §119.i, BDB 88 s.v. 7 בְּ; HALOT 104 s.v. 3 בְּ), emphasizing the quality or nature of the noun (but which typically cannot be rendered in English) meaning here “your confidence.” It may then be viewed as a metonymy standing either for the object or the source of your confidence. The Vulgate reads “at your side (latus).” The LXX appears to have read כֹּל מְסִלֹּתֶיךָ (kol mesillotekha, “[over] all your ways.”
- Proverbs 3:26 tn The term “foot” functions as a synecdoche, where the part stands for the whole (“your foot” stands for “you”). This device helps build a comparison between a hunter’s snare and calamity that afflicts the wicked.
- Proverbs 3:26 tn Heb “from capture,” a figure for the calamity of v. 25.
Proverbs 10:25
Lexham English Bible
Proverbs 10:25
Lexham English Bible
25 With the passing of the tempest, there is no wickedness,
but the righteous have a foundation forever.
Proverbs 10:25
New English Translation
Proverbs 10:25
New English Translation
25 When the storm[a] passes through, the wicked are swept away,[b]
but the righteous are an everlasting foundation.[c]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 10:25 sn The word for “storm wind” comes from the root סוּף (suf, “to come to an end; to cease”). The noun may then describe the kind of storm that makes an end of things, a “whirlwind” (so KJV, NASB; NLT “cyclone”). It is used in prophetic passages that describe swift judgment and destruction.
- Proverbs 10:25 tn Heb “the wicked are not”; ASV, NAB, NASB “is no more.”
- Proverbs 10:25 tn Heb “a foundation forever”; NLT “have a lasting foundation.” sn The metaphor compares the righteous to an everlasting foundation to stress that they are secure when the catastrophes of life come along. He is fixed in a covenantal relationship and needs not to fear passing misfortunes. The wicked has no such security.
Proverbs 10:29-30
Lexham English Bible
Proverbs 10:29-30
Lexham English Bible
29 A stronghold for the upright is the way of Yahweh,
but ruin belongs to evildoers.[a]
30 The righteous one is forever; he will not be removed.
But the wicked will not remain in the land.[b]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 10:29 Literally “them who do evil”
- Proverbs 10:30 Or “earth”
Proverbs 10:29-30
New English Translation
Proverbs 10:29-30
New English Translation
29 The way of the Lord[a] is like[b] a stronghold for the upright,[c]
but it is destruction[d] to evildoers.[e]
30 The righteous will never be moved,
but the wicked will not inhabit the land.[f]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 10:29 tc The LXX reads “the fear of the Lord.”sn The “way of the Lord” is an idiom for God’s providential administration of life; it is what the Lord does (“way” being a hypocatastasis).
- Proverbs 10:29 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 10:29 tc Heb “for the one with integrity” (לַתֹּם, lattom). The versions appear to read לְתַם (letam) “for the blameless.”
- Proverbs 10:29 tn Or “ruin” (so NIV).
- Proverbs 10:29 tn Heb “those who practice iniquity.”
- Proverbs 10:30 sn This proverb concerns the enjoyment of covenant blessings—dwelling in the land of Israel. It is promised to the righteous for an eternal inheritance, and so the wicked cannot expect to settle there—they will be exiled.
Proverbs 12:3
Lexham English Bible
Proverbs 12:3
Lexham English Bible
3 A person will not be established by wickedness,
but the root of the righteous will not be moved.
Proverbs 12:3
New English Translation
Proverbs 12:3
New English Translation
Read full chapter
Footnotes
- Proverbs 12:3 tn Heb “a man cannot be.”
- Proverbs 12:3 tn The Niphal imperfect of כּוּן (cun, “to be established”) refers to finding permanent “security” (so NRSV, TEV, CEV) before God. Only righteousness can do that.
- Proverbs 12:3 tn Heb “a root of righteousness.” The genitive צַדִּיקִים (tsaddiqim, “righteousness”) functions as an attributive adjective. The figure “root” (שֹׁרֶשׁ, shoresh) stresses the security of the righteous; they are firmly planted and cannot be uprooted (cf. NLT “the godly have deep roots”). The righteous are often compared to a tree (e.g., 11:30; Pss 1:3; 92:13).
Proverbs 19:23
Lexham English Bible
Proverbs 19:23
Lexham English Bible
23 Fear of Yahweh leads to life;
he who is filled with it will rest—he will not suffer harm.
Proverbs 19:23
New English Translation
Proverbs 19:23
New English Translation
23 Fearing the Lord[a] leads[b] to life,[c]
and one who does so will live[d] satisfied; he will not be afflicted[e] by calamity.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 19:23 tn Heb “the fear of the Lord.” This expression features an objective genitive: “fearing the Lord.”
- Proverbs 19:23 tn The term “leads” does not appear in the Hebrew but is supplied in the translation for the sake of clarity and style.
- Proverbs 19:23 tn Here “life” is probably a metonymy of subject for “blessings and prosperity in life.” The plural form often covers a person’s “lifetime.”
- Proverbs 19:23 tn The subject of this verb is probably the one who fears the Lord and enjoys life. So the proverb uses synthetic parallelism; the second half tells what this life is like—it is an abiding contentment that is not threatened by calamity (cf. NCV “unbothered by trouble”).
- Proverbs 19:23 tn Heb “he will not be visited” (so KJV, ASV). The verb פָּקַד (paqad) is often translated “visit.” It describes intervention that will change the destiny. If God “visits” it means he intervenes to bless or to curse. To be “visited by trouble” means that calamity will interfere with the course of life and change the direction or the destiny. Therefore this is not referring to a minor trouble that one might briefly experience. A life in the Lord cannot be disrupted by such major catastrophes that would alter one’s destiny.
Proverbs 28:26
Lexham English Bible
Proverbs 28:26
Lexham English Bible
26 He who trusts in his own heart[a] is a fool,
but he who walks in wisdom will be saved.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 28:26 Or “mind,” or “sense”
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 29:25
Lexham English Bible
Proverbs 29:25
Lexham English Bible
25 The fear of a person will lay a snare,
but he who trusts in Yahweh will be secure.
Proverbs 29:25
New English Translation
Proverbs 29:25
New English Translation
25 The fear of people[a] becomes[b] a snare,[c]
but whoever trusts in the Lord will be set on high.[d]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 29:25 tn Heb “the fear of man.” This uses an objective genitive to describe a situation where fearing what people might do or think controls one’s life. There is no indication in the immediate context that this should be limited only to males, so the translation uses the more generic “people” here.
- Proverbs 29:25 tn Heb “gives [or yields, or produces]”; NIV “will prove to be.”
- Proverbs 29:25 sn “Snare” is an implied comparison; fearing people is like being in a trap—there is no freedom of movement or sense of security.
- Proverbs 29:25 sn The image of being set on high comes from the military experience of finding a defensible position, a place of safety and security, such as a high wall or a mountain. Trusting in the Lord sets people free and gives them a sense of safety and security (e.g., Prov 10:27; 12:2).
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