Translation commentary on Proverbs 1:9

“For they are a fair garland for your head”: “They” refers to the parental instruction and teaching in verse 8, which are described by Revised Standard Version as a “garland”. According to Scott the word rendered “garland” is from a rare Hebrew root meaning to “wind” or “twist,” and refers to winding cloth about the head to make a turban or head covering. A “garland” is a wreath made of small branches, flowers, and leaves, and is worn on the head on festive occasions.

“A fair garland” is literally “a garland of grace” or more likely “a graceful garland.” Translators render this expression as “graceful diadem,” “graceful crown,” or “graceful wreath.” Good News Translation has “a handsome turban,” and Contemporary English Version “a lovely hat.” Some other examples are “like a hat to make your head look beautiful” and “nice decoration on your head.” Biblia Dios Habla Hoy uses a more general phrase, “a beautiful adornment.” In languages in which no head covering is used it may be best to follow the model of Biblia Dios Habla Hoy.

“Pendants for your neck”: “Pendants” here are necklaces, chains of silver, or beads hung about the neck as adornments.

A literal translation of verse 9 may give readers the idea that the teaching of the parents is written in the turban and on the necklace. The intention, however, of the poetic imagery is to say that the teaching given by the parents to their child strengthens the character of the young person, just as an adornment adds to his or her physical beauty. Accordingly, Good News Translation makes this clear with “Their teaching will improve your character as. . ..” Translators may also say, for example, “Their teaching is like a lovely turban for your head and a necklace for your neck.” Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch says “They adorn you like a necklace or a splendid crown on your head.”

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 1:9)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Proverbs 1:9:

  • Kupsabiny: “Be doing like that, so that you may be honored like a person who has been clothed with a crown or a necklace.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “For it is a crown for your head
    and a necklace for your neck.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “for that can-make- your (sing.) behavior -good like crown-like flowers or necklace that can-make- your (sing.) face -looks-good and can-give you (sing.) honor.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “for it-will-cause- your (sing.) character/behavior -to-become-good like the way a lovely headband and necklace makes-lovely your (sing.) appearance.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 1:9

1:9

This verse contains two parallel metaphors. The metaphors compare the advice of a person’s father and mother to a garland and a chain/necklace.

9a For they are a garland of grace on your head

9b and a pendant around your neck.

1:9a–b

Both a garland/wreath and a necklace/pendant gave the person wearing them an attractive appearance and may have indicated honorable status. The meaning of both metaphors is that wearing a wreath or necklace gives a person honor and makes him physically attractive. In the same way, the advice of a person’s parents (if heeded) will make his character attractive and honored in the eyes of others. If the meaning of these metaphors is not clear in your language, you may need to use one of the following translation options:

• Change the metaphors to similes. For example:

For they will be like an elegant garland on your head, and like pendants around your neck. (NET Bible)

• Change the metaphors to similes. Instead of “garland,” use a figure of speech that has a similar meaning in your culture. For example:

Their teaching will be like flowers in your hair or a necklace around your neck. (New Century Version)
-or-
as…a lovely hat or a pretty necklace (Contemporary English Version)

• Use one or more figures of speech that have a similar meaning in your culture and make the point of similarity explicit. For example:

Their teaching will improve your character as a handsome turban or a necklace improves your appearance. (Good News Translation)

1:9a

For: The Hebrew text for this sentence begins with a word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as For, which introduces the reason why a person should obey his parents’ advice.

they: The word they refers to the advice of a person’s father and mother. In some languages, it may be necessary to make this more explicit. For example:

Their teaching (Good News Translation)
-or-
What you learn from them (New Living Translation (2004))

a garland of grace on your head: The word garland refers to a wreath made from flowers or small leafy branches. It was worn on the head.

1:9b

pendant: The word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as pendant refers to a “necklace” (Good News Translation).

General Comment on 1:9a–b

In some languages, it may be clearer to combine and/or reorder the ideas in these verse parts. For example:

Your parents’ teaching will improve your character like ornaments improve your appearance.

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