inclusive vs. exclusive pronoun (Prov. 1:14)

Many languages distinguish between inclusive and exclusive first-person plural pronouns (“we”). (Click or tap here to see more details)

The inclusive “we” specifically includes the addressee (“you and I and possibly others”), while the exclusive “we” specifically excludes the addressee (“he/she/they and I, but not you”). This grammatical distinction is called “clusivity.” While Semitic languages such as Hebrew or most Indo-European languages such as Greek or English do not make that distinction, translators of languages with that distinction have to make a choice every time they encounter “we” or a form thereof (in English: “we,” “our,” or “us”).

For the first part of this verse (“throw in your lot with us” in English translations), translators typically select the exclusive form and for the second part (“we will all have one purse” in English translations), translators typically select the inclusive form.

The Jarai translation, however, uses the inclusive pronoun for both occurences.

Translation commentary on Proverbs 1:14

“Throw in your lot among us” translates what is literally “Let your lot fall with us.” The casting of lots was a common method in the Old Testament to determine God’s will or to affirm a divine decision. Lots were cast to divide land, or to assign service, duty, or punishment. According to Scott the expression as used here can mean either “be one of us when we cast lots to divide the proceeds,” or figuratively “join us, associate your fate with ours.” The latter interpretation seems preferred. Good News Translation and Contemporary English Version understand it in the second sense as do Biblia Dios Habla Hoy “Come and share your luck with us” and Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch “We will share the loot among us. Come do it with us.” Another translation has “You come and be a partner with us [exclusive].”

“We will all have one purse”: The robbers propose to share the loot they will take. “We” is inclusive again here. “Purse” or bag could refer to the bag that held the stones used in casting lots, or more probably it is used as an image representing the money, wealth, or possessions taken by the gang. In this case the sense is “We will share the money” or “Everyone will get a share of the loot.” Contemporary English Version says “If you join our gang, you’ll get your share.”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Proverbs. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .

complete verse (Proverbs 1:14)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Proverbs 1:14:

  • Kupsabiny: “Do not also/even accept when they say that, ‘We shall join together to be one thing and combine our things in one place.’” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “If you come with us
    you will get your share.’” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “Come-on now, join us (excl.), for let- us (incl.) then -divide our (incl.) plunder/take-by-force.’” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “You (sing.) will share-with-(us) if you (sing.) join us (excl.).’” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 1:14

1:14

In this verse, the first line gives an invitation. The second line gives the result of the invitation.

14a Throw in your lot with us;

14b let us all share one purse”—

1:14a

Throw in your lot with us: There are two ways to interpret this clause here:

(1) The clause is figurative. This is an invitation for the young man to join the gang and share their fate. For example:

Come join us. (New Century Version)

(2) The clause is literal. The proceeds of the robberies were distributed from a common purse by casting lots. This is an invitation for the young man to cast his lot along with the other members of the gang.

English versions such as the Berean Standard Bible and New International Version are ambiguous. They have used wording that refers to the literal practice of casting lots. But the clause “throw in your lot with us” is generally used figuratively in English. If you can translate this clause ambiguously in your language, you may do so. Otherwise, it is recommended that you follow interpretation (1). This invitation better fits the following context in which the father urges his son not to go along with the gang.

1:14b

let us all share one purse: This line ends the quotation of what the “sinners” might say to this young man. The word purse probably represents the money and other possessions that the gang stole from their victims. They promised the young man that he would get an equal share of the wealth:

we’ll all share what we steal (Good News Translation)
-or-
We’ll split the loot equally. (God’s Word)

General Comment on 1:14a–b

The first line of this verse functions as an implied “if” clause. The last line expresses the result of the first line. For example:

If you join our gang, you’ll get your share. (Contemporary English Version)

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