PROV 22:18 Interlinear View

SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 22:17–24:22: Here are thirty sayings of wise people

This section follows the main collection of Solomon’s proverbs (10:1–22:16). It differs in significant ways from this preceding section:These differences were summarized from a number of commentaries, including UBS (page 472), Waltke (2004, page 22), and Hubbard (page 351).

The preceding section has mostly two-line proverbs that are one verse in length. This section has proverbs of a different form. They are sayings that range from one to seven verses. Most of the sayings are two or three verses in length. Each saying will be marked as a separate paragraph in the Notes.
Many of the proverbs in the preceding section express a general principle. They are not addressed specifically to the readers. Most of the sayings here contain direct commands. They advise the reader or listener either to follow wise behavior or avoid foolish behavior. Most of the sayings also give a reason or motive for following the command.
As in chapters 1–9, the author addresses his reader or listener as a father who advises his son. He uses second person commands and pronouns (you^(sing)). See the note on 23:15 for a list of verses where the words “my son” occur.

Some other headings for this section are:

Thirty Wise Sayings (CEV)

Words of the Wise (ESV)

Thirty Sayings of the Wise (NIV11)

Verse 22:20 mentions “thirty sayings,” but the Hebrew text itself does not number the sayings. Some versions that use the word “thirty” in the section heading also give a number as a separate heading for each saying. The GNT and CEV start numbering the sayings at 22:22. They have a total of thirty-one paragraphs. In these versions, the first paragraph (22:17–21) serves as an introduction to the thirty sayings (22:22–24:22).Scholars who identify 22:17–21 as the first saying include Hubbard (page 352), Fox (page 707), and Waltke (2004, page 22). Scholars who identify these verses as an introduction to the sayings that follow include Whybray (page 325) and Murphy (page 170). See also the NET footnote (b) on 22:16. Whether these introductory verses form the first saying or simply introduce the following sayings, all scholars agree that they function as an introduction to the whole section. Other versions, such as the NIV, NCV, and NLT, divide the paragraphs in the same way but do not have separate headings for each section. You may use either option in your translation.The NIV11 gives a number as a separate heading for each saying. But it counts the first paragraph as the first saying, and has a total of thirty paragraphs. Other versions have more or fewer paragraphs. For example, the ESV and NRSV have fifteen paragraphs. The NJB has thirty-four. Still other versions, such as the RSV, NET, and NJPS, do not group the verses into sayings or paragraphs.

For the convenience of those who decide to identify the number of each saying in their translation, the Notes will put the number in the paragraph headings, using the same numbering system as the GNT or CEV. These numbers will not be used in the Display.

Paragraph 22:17–21 Introduction

This paragraph begins with an exhortation to an unnamed person. This person is identified in Hebrew with the masculine singular pronouns “you/your.” The author more specifically identifies him as “my son” in 23:15a and other verses. See point (c) in the preceding section summary. In verses where the author does not identify his “son” explicitly, the notes will refer to his “reader” or “listener,” depending on the context.

In 22:17, the author exhorts the listener to pay careful attention to what he will say. In 22:18, the author then gives the listener a reason for following this exhortation. In 22:19–21 he further describes the nature of the wise sayings as well as his purpose in writing them.Waltke (page 221).

In this paragraph, the Hebrew text uses plural pronouns to refer back to “the words of the wise” in 22:17. For example, “them” is used in 22:18. In some languages, a singular noun, such as “advice” may be used instead of “words.” In such cases, singular pronouns or phrases (for example, “it” or “this advice”) will need to be used to refer back to it. The meaning lines in the Display will give both options when they are relevant.

22:18

This verse gives a reason for following the commands in 22:17. If the listener obeys those commands, it will naturally lead to his following the last two steps in the learning process (underlined). When he does this, the overall result will be pleasant.

^18afor it is pleasing when you keep them in you

^18band they are constantly on your lips.

See the General Comment on 22:18a–b after the notes on 22:18b for a way to reorder these two lines.

22:18a

for it is pleasing when you keep them within you

For you^(sing) will be happy if you keep them/it in your mind/thoughts
It will give you pleasure when you remember this wise advice

for it is pleasing: The word that the BSB translates as for introduces the reason for listening to the speaker’s wise words and thinking about them. Some versions do not introduce the reason with an explicit word such as for. For example:

It is pleasant (GW)

Introduce this reason in a way that is natural in your language.

The word that the BSB translates as pleasing refers here to an action or situation that is pleasant or agreeable. It gives a person pleasure or happiness. For example:

it will be a delight (NJB)

In this context, the person who experiences this good result is probably the obedient listener. Some versions make this explicit. For example:

You will be glad (CEV)

when you keep them within you: The word that the BSB translates here as within you is literally “stomach” or “belly.” In this context, it refers figuratively to a person’s inner being, where he stores his thoughts.NIDOTTE (H1061). Some other ways to translate this clause are:

if you keep them in mind (GW)

to keep them deep within you (NJB)

In some languages, it may be more natural to leave the location implied. For example:

that you know these sayings (CEV)

if you remember them (GNT)

22:18a–b

(combined/reordered)

Here is the reason: when this good advice is always in your^(sing) mind and you are able to share it with other people, happiness will be the result.

22:18b

and they are constantly on your lips.

and if you^(sing) are prepared to use your mouth to repeat them/it.
and are able to tell it to someone else.

and they are constantly on your lips: This clause indicates that the listener is prepared to tell someone else what he has learned. The word lips is a figure of speech (metonymy) that refers to the action of speaking. In some languages, there may be a natural expression that uses a part of the body, such as the lips or tongue. For example:

they will be on the tip of your tongue (GW)

In other languages, it may be more natural to translate this clause without using a figure of speech. For example:

and can quote them (GNT)

you are ready to repeat them (NCV)

General Comment on 22:18a–b

In some languages, it may be more natural to put the result at the end of these two lines. For example:

When you remember them and are able to tell them to others, it will give you much happiness.

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-logic-result

כִּֽי

that/for/because/then/when

For here indicates that what follows is a reason for the commands in the previous verse. Use a connector in your language that makes it clear that what follows is a reason for what came before. Alternate translation: “Do these things because”

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

תִשְׁמְרֵ֣⁠ם בְּ⁠בִטְנֶ֑⁠ךָ

you,will_keep_them in,belly_of,your

Here Solomon speaks of remembering something as if it were an object that someone should keep inside that person’s inner parts. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “you remember them”

Note 3 topic: writing-pronouns

תִשְׁמְרֵ֣⁠ם & יִכֹּ֥נוּ

you,will_keep_them & ready

Here, them and they refer to “the words of the wise” and “my knowledge” in the previous verse. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state this explicitly. Alternate translation: “you keep those words … those words are ready”

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

יִכֹּ֥נוּ יַ֝חְדָּ֗ו עַל־שְׂפָתֶֽי⁠ךָ

ready all on/upon/above/on_account_of//he/it_went_in lips_of,your

This clause refers to an additional condition for it being pleasant. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state this explicitly, as in the UST.

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

יִכֹּ֥נוּ יַ֝חְדָּ֗ו עַל־שְׂפָתֶֽי⁠ךָ

ready all on/upon/above/on_account_of//he/it_went_in lips_of,your

Here Solomon speaks of someone always being able to repeat “the words of the wise” as if they were objects on someone’s lips that are ready to come out. if it would be helpful in your language, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and if you are prepared to say them all”

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 22:18

Hebrew word order