SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 2020 – Page 92

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 31:23

31:23

Both lines describe her husband’s respected status as one of the elders. The underlined parallel parts are similar in meaning. The parallel parts in bold print imply that the elders represent a wider area than the city itself.

23a Her husband is known at the city gate,

23b where he sits among the elders of the land.

31:23a

Her husband is known at the city gate: The word known implies that he is respected. The city gate was the place where the leaders met to discuss problems and judge cases. Some other ways to translate this line are:

• Keep the reference to the city gate. Add a footnote if needed to explain the significance. For example:

Her husband is well-known at the city gates (New Living Translation (2004))

Suggested footnote: The gate of the city was a place where the leaders met to talk about problems and decide legal cases. The residents often attended these meetings.

• Translate the significance of the city gate. For example:

Her husband is known at the city meetings (New Century Version)

31:23b

where he sits among the elders of the land: This line means that he is actively involved in the political and judicial business of the area as one of the city elders.

land: The Hebrew word for land often refers to a country. Here it probably refers to a wider area, such as a district or region. People came into the city from the wider area to get advice or discuss their problems with the elders.

where he makes decisions as one of the leaders of the land (New Century Version)
-or-
where he takes his seat with the elders of the region (Revised English Bible)

General Comment on 31:23a–b

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

Her husband is a well-known and respected leader in the city. (Contemporary English Version)

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SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 31:24

31:24

This verse continues the topic of making clothes (31:13) and working hard to make a profit (31:18).

31:24

The underlined parts describe the wife’s work in making and selling clothes to traders or other business people. The parts in bold print describe two of her products.

24a She makes linen garments and sells them;

24b she delivers sashes to the merchants.

31:24a

She makes linen garments and sells them: There are two ways to interpret the clause She makes linen garments :

(1) It means that she makes clothing. For example:

She makes linen clothes (New Century Version)

(2) It means that she makes or weaves cloth. For example:

She weaves linen (Revised English Bible)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), along with most versions. The verse does not specify whether the linen garments are undergarments or outer robes. It is recommended that you translate in a way that allows either kind of garment. Another way to translate this line is:

She uses good quality cloth to make clothes and sells them

31:24b

she delivers: The word delivers is literally “gives.” It means that she supplies the merchants with her products in exchange for payment.

sashes to: The word sashes refers to cloth belts that were used to fasten the linen tunics or robes around the waist.

Some other ways to translate this line are:

and she supplies belts for tradesmen ⌊to carry across the sea⌋ (The Voice)
-or-
and stocks the merchants with belts (New American Bible)
-or-
and delivers belts to the merchants (God’s Word)

the merchants: The word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as merchants is literally “Canaanites.” It can refer specifically to Phoenician traders or more generally to any traders or shopkeepers.

General Comment on 31:24a–b

In some languages, it may be more natural to combine and/or reorder the parallel parts in these lines. See 31:24a–b (combined/reordered) in the Display.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 31:25

31:25–27

This paragraph further describes the wife in terms of her character, reputation, and attitude (v. 25). It then describes the way she talks (v. 26) and the way she cares for her household (v. 27).

31:25

25a Strength and honor are her clothing,

25b and she can laugh at the days to come.

31:25a

Strength and honor are her clothing: This line describes her character and reputation in the community. It is a figure of speech. A person can easily see the quality of clothing that someone wears. Similarly, they can see the kind of person the wife is by the energetic way in which she works, her character, and her reputation. Some other ways to translate this figure of speech are:

• Change it to a simile. For example:

Her strength and dignity ⌊can be seen like⌋ the clothes she wears.

• Translate the meaning without a figure of speech. For example:

She is strong and respected (Good News Translation)

Strength: In Hebrew, this word for Strength can refer to physical or military strength or power. It can also refer to “strong” character. A person with a strong character consistently does what is good and right. If possible, translate this word in a way that indicates both kinds of strength. In some languages, it may be necessary to use more than one word or phrase. For example:

her body is strong and her behavior is consistently good
-or-
she is energetic and she persists in doing what is right no matter what happens

honor: The word honor refers here to the woman’s reputation. It means that people respect her. Another way to translate this word is:

and is respected by the people (New Century Version)

31:25b

she can laugh at the days to come: This line describes her cheerful and confident attitude about the future. Some other ways to translate this line are:

she smiles ⌊when she thinks⌋ about the future (The Voice)
-or-
She looks forward to the future with joy. (New Century Version)
-or-
and not afraid of the future (Good News Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 31:26

31:26

The English Standard Version has been used as the source line for 26b, because it follows a recommended interpretation for the second line. It also shows the parallelism more clearly.

26a She opens her mouth with wisdom, (Berean Standard Bible)

26b and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. (English Standard Version)

31:26a–b

opens her mouth…on her tongue: In Hebrew, the parallel phrases opens her mouth and on her tongue are frequently used figuratively to refer to speech. Here they both represent the words that the wife speaks.

31:26a

She opens her mouth with wisdom: Some other ways to translate this figure of speech are:

• Keep the figurative reference to mouth. For example:

When she opens her mouth, it is to speak wisely (Revised English Bible)
-or-
Her mouth is full of wisdom (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)
-or-
Wise words come from her mouth

• Translate without using a figure of speech. For example:

She speaks with wisdom (New International Version)
-or-
When she speaks, her words are wise (New Living Translation (2004))

31:26b

(English Standard Version) and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue: In Hebrew, the word that the English Standard Version translates as kindness has three aspects of meaning: loyalty, love, and kindness (see the notes on 3:3a and 14:22b for more information). In this verse, versions focus on either love/kindness or loyalty/reliability. The two interpretations are as follows:

(1) The word kindness refers here to love or kindness. For example:

kindly instruction (New Jerusalem Bible)

(2) The word kindness refers here to loyalty or reliability. For example:

faithful instruction (New International Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), along with most versions and commentaries.

In addition, there are two ways to interpret the phrase teaching of kindness :

(1) It refers to teaching/instruction that is done in a kind manner. For example:

kindly instruction (New Jerusalem Bible)

(2) It refers to teaching/instruction about kindness. For example:

teaches other to be kind (New Century Version)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), along with most versions and commentaries. Note: Versions that translate literally (“teaching/instruction of kindness”) have not been listed under either interpretation, because they could be interpreted either way. These versions include the English Standard Version, New American Standard Bible, and New Revised Standard Version.

Some other ways to translate this line are:

• Keep the figurative reference to tongue or a similar figure of speech, such as “lips.” For example:

Her tongue ⌊is full⌋ with kindly teaching (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)
-or-
Kind advice comes from her lips/tongue.

• Translate without using a figure of speech. For example:

and she gives instructions with kindness (New Living Translation (2004))

The verse does not specify who the wife instructs. If possible, translate this line in a general way. If you need to specify who she instructs, it is probably her children and servants.

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 31:27

31:27

27a She watches over the affairs of her household

27b and does not eat the bread of idleness.

31:27a

She watches over the affairs of her household: This line means that she carefully supervises everything that happens in her home. She makes sure that everyone’s needs are met and that all the work is done in an orderly and satisfactory way. Some other ways to translate this line are:

She oversees the activities of her household (Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures)
-or-
She keeps good watch on the conduct of her household (New Jerusalem Bible)

31:27b

and does not eat the bread of idleness: This phrase is an idiom. It means that she is not idle or lazy. Some other ways to translate this line are:

and is never lazy (Contemporary English Version)
-or-
and never wastes her time (New Century Version)
-or-
She never just sits and does nothing.

General Comment on 31:27a–b

In some languages, it may be more natural to reorder these two lines. For example:

She is always busy and looks after her family’s needs. (Good News Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 31:28

31:28–29

In this paragraph, the ideal wife is praised by her children (31:28a) and her husband (31:28b–29).

31:28

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

28a
Her children rise up and call her blessed ;

28b
her husband praises her as well :

31:28a

Her children rise up: In this context, the word translated rise up means “stand up.” It does not mean to get out of bed in the morning. Here it is a symbolic gesture. This gesture was a sign of respect. It also indicated that a person intended to say something important.

Some other ways to translate this gesture are:

• Keep the gesture. For example:

Her children stand (New Living Translation (2004))

• Keep the gesture and supply the meaning. For example:

Her children stand up ⌊to show that they respect her⌋

• Translate one or both of the meanings without the gesture. For example:

Her children speak to her with respect

and call her blessed: In Hebrew, this phrase is a verb that means “declare her to be happy/fortunate. In this context, it has almost the same meaning as the parallel phrase “praises her.”

Some other ways to translate this line are:

Her children rise up and praise her (New American Bible)
-or-
Her children show her respect and tell her that they admire/appreciate her very much.

31:28b

her husband praises her as well: Her husband also joins in with the children and praises her. The following verse is a quote of what he says, so you may want to introduce his words with a quote formula at the end of this verse or the beginning of 31:29. For example:

her husband also praises her, saying, “…
-or-
and with great pride her husband says, “… (Contemporary English Version)

In some languages, it may be necessary to supply the missing verb that shows that the husband will also stand and honor her. For example:

her husband also ⌊arises⌋ to honor her, saying “…

General Comment on 31:28a–b

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

Her children and her husband stand up and praise/admire her. Her husband says, “…

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 31:29

31:29

29a “Many daughters have done noble things,

29b but you surpass them all!”

31:29a

Many daughters have done noble things: This line means that many women do things that are both good and competent. See how you translated noble in 31:10. Some other ways to translate this line are:

“Many women have done excellently (English Standard Version)
-or-
“There are many virtuous and capable women in the world (New Living Translation (2004))

31:29b

but you surpass them all: This line means that the wife’s character and abilities are better than all other women. Some other ways to translate this line are:

but you are better than all of them.” (New Century Version)
-or-
but you are the best of them all.” (Good News Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 31:30

31:30–31

The words in this paragraph are the writer’s summary of the poem in 31:10–31. They are not a continuation of what the husband said in 31:29.

The overall meaning of this paragraph is that the ideal wife deserves to be praised by everyone. This paragraph also reminds the reader of the overall theme of Proverbs (1:7 and 9:10) that the basis of wisdom is a person’s fear of the LORD.

31:30

This verse contrasts a woman’s charm and beauty (31:30a) with the character quality that is truly worthy of praise (31:30b).

30a
Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting,

30b but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

31:30a–b

Charm…beauty: In Hebrew, the words Charm and beauty both refer here to a woman’s pleasing or attractive appearance. The word Charm has a wider range of meaning. Here it may include the idea of elegant clothing or jewelry (see 31:22) that adds to the woman’s natural beauty. In other verses it can refer to an attractive personality (see 11:16) or pleasing words (see 22:11).

31:30a

Charm is deceptive: This phrase indicates that a woman’s attractive appearance may deceive or mislead an observer. A person who sees an attractive woman may mistakenly think that she also has a good/pleasing personality and character. In this sense, he is deceived or misled. The phrase does not mean that the abstract quality “charm” intentionally deceives anyone.

Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

A pleasing/lovely appearance is ⌊sometimes⌋ deceptive/misleading
-or-
⌊A woman’s⌋ attractive appearance can deceive ⌊a person⌋ ⌊about her⌋

and beauty is fleeting: In Hebrew, the word that the Berean Standard Bible translates here as fleeting is literally “vapor/breath.” In the book of Ecclesiastes, the Berean Standard Bible usually translates it as “futile” or “futility.” But here it means that a woman’s beauty is temporary. It does not last long. Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

and beauty does not last (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
and beauty disappears (Good News Translation)

General Comment on 31:30a

In some languages, it may be more natural to combine and/or reorder the parallel parts in this line. See the last meaning line in the Display.

31:30b

but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised: This line is more literally “A woman who fears the LORD, it is she who will be praised.” It emphasizes that this kind of woman should be praised instead of a woman with misleading beauty.

fears the LORD: This phrase indicates both real fear and reverential awe. It also implies that the woman submits to the LORD and obeys him. For translation advice, see the notes on 1:7a or 10:27a.

Some other ways to translate this line are:

the woman who fears Yahweh is the one to praise (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
but as for a woman who respects and obeys the LORD, she is the woman who should be praised

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Source: SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 2020

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 31:23

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 31:24

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 31:25

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 31:26

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 31:27

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 31:28

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 31:29

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 31:30

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