PROV 1:4 Interlinear View

SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 1:1–7: This is the purpose of Proverbs

This section is the writer’s introduction to the book of Proverbs. It contains an overall title for the book (1:1), a statement of purpose (1:2–6), and a motto or key verse (1:7). In Hebrew, the first six verses form a single sentence that gives related goals or functions for the proverbs. Proverbs 1:2a, 1:2b, 1:3a, 1:4a, and 1:6a all begin with a verb phrase that relates back to the title and gives one of the functions. The BSB translates these phrases as: “for gaining…, for comprehending…, for receiving…. To impart…, by understanding….” Proverbs 1:5 begins with a different grammatical construction. Several scholars therefore consider this verse to be a parenthesis, clarifying that the proverbs are also useful to people who are wise.

Some other headings for this section are:

The Purpose of Proverbs (NLT)

How Proverbs Can Be Used (CEV)

The Importance of Proverbs (NCV)

1:4

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

^4ato impart prudence to the simple

^4band knowledge and discretion to the young,

1:4a

To impart prudence to the simple

These proverbs will also cause people who are easily deceived to become clever/resourceful.
Still another function of this advice/teaching is to add to the shrewdness of naive/inexperienced people,

To impart prudence: In Proverbs the Hebrew word ʿormah, which the BSB translates as prudence, indicates shrewdness or resourcefulness. It refers to a person’s ability to make clever plans to achieve his goals. Some other ways to translate this word are:

shrewdness (NRSV)

cleverness

resourcefulness (NAB)

See prudence in the Glossary.

to the simple: The Hebrew word that the BSB translates as simple refers to inexperienced, naive people. These people allow themselves to be easily persuaded or led astray into foolish behavior. People who are simple are immature and tend to believe whatever they are told. The Hebrew word used here is plural. Some other ways to translate this word are:

naive/gullible people

people with little experience

people who are easily deceived

people who quickly believe what they hear

people who do not know anything

See simple in the Glossary.

1:4a–b

(combined/reordered)

Still another function of these proverbs is to cause inexperienced young people/men to gain knowledge and to become clever/resourceful so that they will be able to make good plans.

1:4b

and knowledge and discretion to the young,

They will help young men like this to gain knowledge and to make good/successful plans.
to help the young add to what they know and to think carefully about what they should do.

and knowledge and discretion: There are two ways to interpret the connection between these two nouns:

They are two equal nouns and should be translated with an “and” between them. For example:
knowledge and discernment (NLT) (BSB, NIV, RSV, GW, NLT, NJB, NCV, NJPS, REB, CEV)
One noun is subordinate to the other. They are not two equal nouns. For example, the phrase could be translated as:
knowledge of how to be discreet
how to be resourceful (GNT) (NET, GNT)

Although no scholars argued against the second option, the few who supported it had differing ideas as to how it should be translated. It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1).

discretion: The Hebrew word mǝzimmah, which the BSB translates as discretion, refers to the ability to make a plan that will accomplish a specific goal. Other ways to translate this word are:

shrewdness (NRSV)

discernment (NLT)

ability to think of an effective plan

See discretion in the Glossary.

to the young: The Hebrew word that the BSB translates as young can refer to any male from infancy up to early adulthood. However, the setting in Proverbs describes an unmarried teenage son nearing adulthood.Fox (page 62). Waltke (page 178) also understands this to refer to a young person “on the threshold of maturity.” If your language has a specific term for unmarried young men, you may be able to use it here. Another way to translate this term is to use a more general expression. For example:

young people (GNT)

General Comment on 1:4a–b

The parallel parts of these two lines should be understood as a unit. So the terms “the simple” and “the young” describe people who are both “simple” and “young.” These terms should not be understood as separate categories of people, with “the simple” gaining “prudence” and “the young” gaining “knowledge and discretion.” If a parallel structure in your language wrongly implies that “the simple” and “the young” gain different benefits from the proverbs, you may need to combine and/or reorder the parallel parts in these lines. For example:

Still another function of these proverbs is to cause inexperienced young people to gain knowledge and to become resourceful. Then they will be able to make successful plans.

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-logic-goal

לָ⁠תֵ֣ת לִ⁠פְתָאיִ֣ם עָרְמָ֑ה

to,give to,naive_people prudence

Here, to give indicates a fourth purpose for these proverbs. Use a natural way in your language to introduce a purpose clause. You may want to begin a new sentence. Alternate translation: “These proverbs are for the purpose of giving naive ones prudence”

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

עָרְמָ֑ה & דַּ֣עַת וּ⁠מְזִמָּֽה

prudence & knowledge and,discretion

If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas of prudence, knowledge, and discretion, you could express the same ideas in other ways. Alternate translation: “what is prudent … what he should know and how he can be discreet”

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / gendernotations

לְ֝⁠נַ֗עַר

to,a_youth

Although the term young man is masculine, these proverbs are beneficial for both men and women. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a phrase that makes this clear. Alternate translation: “to young men and women”

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 1:4