capture you with her eyelashes

The Hebrew in Proverbs 6:25 that is translated as “capture you with her eyelashes” or similar in English is translated in Vidunda as “trap you with her eyes” (source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext).

The Hebrew that is translated as “be at peace” in English is translated in Newari as “don’t go out of your mind when they look at you” (source: Newari Back Translation).

Translation commentary on Proverbs 6:25

“Do not desire her beauty in your heart”: “Desire” is used here in the bad sense of seeking to satisfy a selfish desire or to lust after something. The warning is that the learner should not want this woman because of her beauty or charms or, as Contemporary English Version says, “Don’t let yourself be attracted by the charm” See Good News Translation “. . . tempted by their beauty” “In your heart” means in your mind and thought.

“Do not let her capture you with her eyelashes”: “Capture you”, which is literally “take you,” may be understood as “provoke you” by a change of vowels. This change is followed by some modern versions, but Hebrew Old Testament Text Project rates the Hebrew text as “A.” “Capture” in this context means to seduce or lead astray. Some languages say “Don’t let her eyes trap you.” “Eyelashes” is literally “eyelids,” which appears to be used in terms of the way the woman attacks the man with her eyes. Some translations say “her glance.” Good News Translation has “don’t be trapped by their flirting eyes.” Bible en français courant has “don’t let yourself be seduced by her bewitching look.”

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 6:25)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Proverbs 6:25:

  • Kupsabiny: “Do not desire the beauty of that woman and do not let her trap you with her blinking/winking eyes.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Don’t lose yourself in their charm,
    Don’t be seduced by their eyes.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “[You (sing.)] do- not -be-tempted by her beauty. [You (sing.)] do- not -be-carried-away by her winking.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Do not crave her beauty or be-persuaded by her eyes/face.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 6:25

6:25

Notice the parallel lines that are similar in meaning. Both lines are a warning to avoid being seduced by the woman’s charms. In the second line, “eyes” is a specific example of the woman’s beauty.

25a
Do not lust in your heart for her beauty

25b
or let her captivate you with her eyes,

6:25a

Do not lust in your heart for her beauty: The word lust means “to desire” sexually. In some languages, in your heart may need to be expressed by “in your mind/thoughts.” It may also be more natural to leave this phrase implicit. For example:

Don’t lust for her beauty (New Living Translation (2004))

The New Century Version expresses the meaning of this clause in a different way:

Don’t desire her because she is beautiful. (New Century Version)

6:25b

or let her captivate you: In this context, the word captivate means to seduce or lead astray.

with her eyes: In Hebrew, the word eyes is literally “eyelids.” The New Revised Standard Version translates it as “eye lashes.” It is probably a figure of speech (metonymy) that represents the flirting glances, bold stares, or winking used by the woman to seduce someone. For example:

don’t be trapped by their flirting eyes (Good News Translation)

The New Century Version expresses the thought in more general terms:

Don’t let her capture you by the way she looks at you. (New Century Version)

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