PROV 16:21 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

16:21

There are no parallel pairs. The connection between the two lines is not explicit.

^21aThe wise in heart are called discerning,

^21band pleasant speech promotes instruction.

It may be implied that the second line causes the result in the first line. A wise person effectively uses words to instruct others. As a result, he will gain a reputation for being discerning.

16:21a

The wise in heart are called discerning,

A wise person will gain a reputation for being sensible/intelligent.
If you^(sing) are wise, people will know that you have the ability to understand things.
If a person is wise, people will recognize/acknowledge his understanding/shrewdness.

The wise in heart are called discerning: This line means that people who are wise will gain a reputation for being intelligent. Another way to express the same meaning is that their fellowmen will recognize or acknowledge them as sensible individuals. For example:

The wise are known for their understanding (NCV)

wise in heart: The term wise in heart means the same as “wise.”

discerning: The discerning are people who are intelligent, perceptive and sensible. See the note on 10:13a. Also see discerning in the Glossary.

16:21b

and pleasant speech promotes instruction.

Moreover, if he speaks pleasantly/kindly, his ability to teach others will increase.
And if you^(sing) advise them with words that are good/pleasant to hear, their ability to learn will increase.
If what he says is also kind/pleasing, people will more easily be persuaded to follow/accept his advice.

and pleasant speech: The BSB translation pleasant speech accurately expresses the meaning of the literal expression “sweetness of lips.” Be careful not to translate this expression in a way that might imply insincerity or flattery.

promotes instruction: The phrase that the BSB translates as promotes instruction is literally “increase learning/teaching” or “increase persuasiveness.”

The whole line indicates that a wise person who speaks in a pleasing way increases his effectiveness and persuasiveness as a teacher. At the same time he increases the learning ability of his listeners. When you translate this line, you may focus on any of these aspects of meaning. For example:

Their pleasant words make them better teachers. (NCV)

and speaking sweetly helps others learn (GW)

The more pleasant his words, the more persuasive he is. (GNT)

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

לֵ֭ב

heart

See how you translated the same use of heart in [2:2](../02/02.md).

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

לַ⁠חֲכַם־לֵ֭ב יִקָּרֵ֣א נָב֑וֹן

to_[the],wise_of heart he/it_will_be_called discerning

If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you could state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “people will call the wise of heart an understanding one”

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / genericnoun

נָב֑וֹן

discerning

See how you translated this phrase in [1:5](../01/05.md).

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

וּ⁠מֶ֥תֶק שְׂ֝פָתַ֗יִם

and,sweetness_of speech

Here Solomon speaks of kind or pleasant speech as if it were sweetness that comes from what people say by speaking with their lips. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “pleasant speech”

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

שְׂ֝פָתַ֗יִם

speech

See how you translated the same use of lips in [10:18](../10/18.md).

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.

OET interlinear PROV 16:21

Hebrew word order

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

16:21

16:21a

16:21b

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