PROV 13:17 Interlinear View

SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 10:1–22:16: This is the main collection of Solomon’s proverbs

This section is the main collection of Solomon’s proverbs. It has a very different structure from the longer poetic lectures of chapters 1–9. It consists mostly of individual couplets (two-line poems) that are each one verse in length. With the exception of the title (10:1a), paragraph breaks will not be indicated in the Notes or Display. You may of course choose to start each proverb as a separate paragraph in your translation.

In chapters 10–15, most of these one-verse couplets express a contrast between the two lines. One of the more common contrasts is between the righteous/wise and the wicked/foolish and the different consequences of their conduct.

In chapters 16:1–22:16, more topics are discussed. There is more emphasis on the role of the king and other leaders. In these chapters, there are few proverbs with contrasting lines. Some of the parallel lines are similar in meaning. More frequently, the second line adds to what the first line says or gives an example. Most of the verses have no obvious connection with the previous or following proverbs.UBS (page 214), Fox (page 509), McKane (page 413). Many scholars, including McKane, point out that there are some topical groupings as well as poetic connections. These include the repetition of certain words or sounds. This observation does not deny the individual nature of most of the proverbs in this Section.

Two of the types of proverbs in this section are not found in chapters 1–9. One type contains logical reasoning from the lesser to the greater. See 11:31 for a list of these proverbs. There are also several varieties of complex “better than” proverbs. The most common have a contrasting situation in each line (see 12:9). For other varieties, see 16:16, 19:1, and 21:9.

Many of the proverbs in this section refer to categories of people who share a common trait. For example, they refer to the righteous, the wise, the poor, and the lazy. In Hebrew, some verses use singular forms to refer to these groups of people. Other verses use plural forms. Still others use a combination of singular and plural. See the note on 10:30a–b for one example. For most of these verses, the Notes will not comment on the difference between singular and plural forms. Use a natural way in your language to refer to one or more people who are in the same category.

Many of the proverbs in this section express a general principle in abstract terms. They are not addressed specifically to the readers. For example, 10:2a–b says:

Ill-gotten treasures are of no value,

but righteousness delivers from death.

However, the author intended his readers to understand these proverbs as advice that they should follow. In some languages, authors or speakers give advice more directly, using pronouns such as you^(sing), you^(plur), we^(dual), or we^(incl). See the note on 10:2 for translation suggestions.

Some other headings for this section are:

Proverbs of Solomon (NIV)

The Wise Words of Solomon (NCV)

Here are many wise things that Solomon said

13:17

Notice the parallel parts that contrast in meaning:

^17a A wicked messenger falls into trouble,

^17bbut a faithful envoy brings healing.

13:17a–b

A wicked messenger…a faithful envoy: No distinction is intended between the words messenger and envoy. Both were sent to deliver important messages or to represent the people who sent them in political or business dealings. The main contrast is between a messenger who is wicked and one who is faithful, reliable, or loyal. In contrast to the word faithful in 13:17b, the word wicked implies a person who is untrustworthy. Another way to translate it is:

unreliable (GNT)

13:17a

A wicked messenger falls into trouble,

An unreliable messenger will experience trouble/disaster.
A messenger who cannot be trusted will bring misfortune on himself.

falls into trouble: There is a textual difference that involves the word falls:

The Masoretic Text (MT) has the word yippol “falls.” The meaning of this text is that the messenger himself experiences trouble or disaster. For example:
An undependable messenger gets into trouble (GW) (BSB, ESV, GW, KJV, NASB, NET, NIV, NJB, NJPS, NLT)
Some scholars think that the original text was yappil “causes to fall.” The meaning of this text is that the messenger causes trouble for others. For example:
Unreliable messengers cause trouble (GNT) (CEV, NCV, REB, RSV, GNT)

It is recommended that you follow option (1), along with most versions and scholars. The MT makes good sense in the context. Although option (2) provides a more exact contrast with 13:17b, that is not a sufficient reason for proposing a different text.

13:17b

but a faithful envoy brings healing.

But a reliable messenger causes peace/benefit to others.
But a messenger who can be trusted restores good relationships.

brings healing: The word that the BSB translates as healing can also mean “health” or “remedy.” In this context, it should be understood figuratively. It refers to the welfare or peace of mind of the community to which the messenger is sent. Another way to translate this is:

but those who can be trusted bring peace (GNT)

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

מַלְאָ֣ךְ רָ֭שָׁע

messenger wicked

Here, wicked messenger specifically refers to a messenger who is unreliable. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state this explicitly. Alternate translation: “An unreliable messenger”

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

יִפֹּ֣ל בְּ⁠רָ֑ע

falls in,trouble

Here Solomon refers to someone experiencing evil as if it were a place into which that person falls. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “experiences evil”

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

בְּ⁠רָ֑ע

in,trouble

Here, evil refers to trouble that someone might experience as a result of evil. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “into trouble”

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

וְ⁠צִ֖יר אֱמוּנִ֣ים

and,an_envoy_of faithful

Here Solomon is using the possessive form to describe an envoy that is characterized by faithfulness. If your language would not use the possessive form for this, you could use a different expression. Alternate translation: “but a faithful envoy”

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

מַרְפֵּֽא

healing

Here, Solomon is speaking as if the mental well-being that an envoy of faithfulness causes were physical healing. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [causes peace] or [gives his senders confidence]

OET-LV English word order (‘Reverse’ interlinear)

Note: The OET-RV is still only a first draft, and so far only a few words have been (mostly automatically) matched to the Hebrew or Greek words that they’re translated from.

Acknowledgements: The Hebrew text, lemmas, and morphology are all thanks to the OSHB and some of the glosses are from Macula Hebrew.