Translation commentary on Proverbs 7:19

In verses 19-20 the woman gives the youth assurances that her husband will not catch them.

“For my husband is not at home” is literally “because the man is not in his house.” The use of “the man” in place of “my man” may suggest that the woman is distancing herself from her husband so as to encourage the young man. Most modern translations, however, do not make a point of this, although Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch says “The man is not at home.”

“He has gone on a long journey”: “A long journey” is literally “on the road far off,” which may also be aimed to relieve the young man of possible fear of being caught by an angry husband. We may translate, for example, “He is off on a long trip” or “He is traveling far away.” Some translators feel that it is necessary to make clear the point of saying this; so they say, for example, “You don’t need to be afraid of my husband—he’s gone a long way away.”

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 7:19)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Proverbs 7:19:

  • Kupsabiny: “I am telling you like that since my husband is not at home today. He has gone for a visit to a far country.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “My husband is not at home.
    He has gone far away.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “for my husband is not here. He went to a far-(place).” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “Because far is the place-where- my-spouse -has-gone.” (Source: Kankanaey Back Translation)

SIL Translator’s Notes on Proverbs 7:19

7:19

In this verse, the second line adds more information that clarifies the meaning of the first line.

19a For my husband is not at home;

19b he has gone on a long journey.

7:19a-b

For my husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey: This verse begins with a word that the Berean Standard Bible and New Revised Standard Version translate as For. This word introduces the reason why the young man should accept the woman’s invitation in 7:18. The New International Version and Good News Translation leave this word implicit. Introduce this reason in a natural way in your language.

my husband: The phrase that the Berean Standard Bible and most English versions translate as my husband is literally “the man.” This is not the usual expression that women used for their husbands. A number of scholars feel that it may indicate an attitude of alienation or contempt. If your language has an expression that would indicate this kind of attitude, you may use it here.

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