wisdom

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The Hebrew, Aramaic, 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)

See also wisdom (Proverbs) and knowledge.

complete verse (Job 33:33)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Job 33:33:

  • Kupsabiny: “But if you do not want to say anything, listen
    for me to give you understanding.’” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “But if [you] have nothing that needs to be said, listen to my words.
    Keep quiet and I will teach you wisdom."” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “But if you (sing.) have nothing to say, you (sing.) keep-silent and listen to my wisdom.’” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “Job, you object to what God has done to you,
    but do you think that he will do what you want him to do?
    It is you who must choose what you say to God, not I;
    so tell me what you are thinking about this.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Job 33:33

If not, listen to me; be silent, and I will teach you wisdom: in 32.10, 17 Elihu said he would tell his “opinion” or “knowledge,” and now he calls it wisdom. Wisdom is far more than knowledge or information. Wisdom is an attitude and a discipline that comes from God. For discussions see 4.21; 11.6. Here Elihu refers more exactly to the wisdom he will teach Job in 34.16-30. In those verses he will speak about the way in which God rules the world and deals with wickedness. Also in 36.22–37.13 he will remind Job of God’s mysterious ways and his powers in creating and sustaining nature. Verse 33 may be rendered, for example, “If you have nothing to say, be quiet and listen to me, and I will teach you to be wise.” This remark is particularly ironic, since it has been made clear that fear of the LORD is wisdom (28.28).

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, Wiliam. A Handbook on Job. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1992. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .