PROV 22:20 Interlinear View

22:20 OSHB variant note: שלשום: (x-qere) ’שָׁלִישִׁ֑ים’: lemma_7991 c n_1 morph_HAompa id_20aYb שָׁלִישִׁ֑ים

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.

22:20

In Hebrew and in the BSB, verses 22:20–21 are a single sentence. This first verse describes the number and nature of the sayings that follow.

^20aHave I not written for you thirty sayings

^20babout counsel and knowledge,

22:20a

Have I not written for you thirty sayings

Is it not true that I have written these thirty sayings/things for you?^(sing)
Here are thirty things that I have written for your benefit.

Have I not written for you thirty sayings: There are different ways to interpret the phrase that the BSB translates as thirty sayings. The meaning of the word thirty is uncertain, and the word sayings does not occur here in the Hebrew text.

This phrase means “thirty sayings.” It refers to the “words of the wise” that were introduced in 22:17a. For example:
thirty sayings (REB) (BSB, CEV, ESV, NCV, NET, NIV, NLT, NRSV, REB, GNT)
This phrase means “thirty chapters.” For example:
thirty chapters (NJB) (NJB)
This phrase means “excellent things.” For example:
excellent things (NASB) (KJV, NASB)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), along with most versions and commentaries.The Notes have listed only three of at least five interpretations, most of which result from the uncertain meaning of the Hebrew word that is used here. The form that is written in the MT (šilšom) usually occurs as part of an idiom that means “the day before yesterday” (Fox, 2009, page 710; Toy, page 423) Some have understood this to mean “formerly.” For example, the GW has: “previously.” The Qere form (šališim) in the margin of the MT has been understood to mean “three.” The LXX, Syriac, Targum, and Vulgate all have a word that means “three times.” The NJPS follows this form. It has: “a threefold lore.” It has also been understood to mean “officers” or “important things.” The KJV and NASB (“excellent things”) follow this meaning, supported by Cohen (page 149) and Delitzsch (pages 331–332). Waltke (pages 219–220), UBS (page 476), and Fox (page 710) favor a change in the vowels, resulting in šǝlošim “thirty.” Most scholars accept this reading of the text. This section of Proverbs is similar in some ways to the first chapter of “The Instruction of Amenemope,” an Egyptian literary work that was thirty chapters long.

Verse 20:20a is the first part of a rhetorical question that continues through 20:21b. This rhetorical question implies the answer “yes.” It affirms that the author has indeed written the thirty sayings that he will teach in the rest of this section. Some ways to translate this rhetorical question are:

Use a different rhetorical question. For example:
Is it not true that I have written thirty sayings for your benefit?
Use a statement. For example:
Here I have written out for you thirty sayings (REB)

thirty sayings: Many languages will not have a plural noun such as sayings that can be used with a number. Some other ways to translate this idea in other languages are:

thirty teachings/advices

thirty topics of advice

thirty things that can be taught

22:20a–b

(combined/reordered)

Here are thirty things/topics that wise people know. I have written them here so that they will give you^(sing) good advice that will help you.

22:20b

about counsel and knowledge,

They contain good/useful advice and the knowledge of wise people.
They will tell you^(sing) what wise people know. They will advise you^(sing) how to do what is right.

about counsel and knowledge: This phrase describes the content of the sayings. Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

filled with advice and knowledge (NLT)

They contain knowledge and good advice (GNT)

which give knowledge and good advice (NCV)

In some languages, the word knowledge will need to be translated as a verb phrase. For example:

what people know

what wise people have learned

Moreover, it probably overlaps in meaning with the word counsel and with the phrase “true and reliable words” in 22:21.In this context, there is clearly a close connection between “counsel” and “knowledge.” Waltke (page 224) and McKane (page 376) say that the two words may function as a hendiadys. Waltke suggests the combination “knowledgeable advice” (page 224). McKane (citing Gemser) suggests “well-informed counsel” (page 376). Most versions translate the phrase as two coordinate nouns. In such cases, consider leaving this word implied here in 22:20b or use a phrase such as:

wise counsel (NJPS)

what I have advised you is good/accurate

General Comment on 22:20a–b

In some languages, it may be more natural to combine and/or reorder some of the ideas in these two lines. For example:

I am now going to tell you about thirty things/topics that wise people know. These things will advise you how to live properly/wisely.

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / rquestion

הֲ⁠לֹ֤א כָתַ֣בְתִּי

?,not written

This phrase indicates that Solomon is using the question form in this verse and the next verse in order to emphasize the truth of what he is saying. If you would not use the question form for this purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or an exclamation. Alternate translation: “I have surely written”

Note 2 topic: translate-tense

הֲ⁠לֹ֤א כָתַ֣בְתִּי

?,not written

Solomon uses the past tense here in order to refer to something that is happening while he is writing these verses, which is the time he calls today in the previous verse. If it would not be natural to do that in your language, you could use the present tense. Alternate translation: “Am I not writing”

Note 3 topic: translate-textvariants

שָׁלִישִׁ֑ים

(Some words not found in UHB: ?,not written to/for=yourself(m) thirty (in),counsels and,knowledge )

Some ancient manuscripts read, “excellent sayings.” If a translation of the Bible exists in your region, you may wish to use the reading that it uses. If a translation of the Bible does not exist in your region, you may wish to use the reading of the ULT.

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

בְּ⁠מ֖וֹעֵצֹ֣ת וָ⁠דָֽעַת

(in),counsels and,knowledge

Here, counsels and knowledge refer to what the 30 things are. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state this explicitly. Alternate translation: “that are counsels and knowledge”

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

בְּ⁠מ֖וֹעֵצֹ֣ת וָ⁠דָֽעַת

(in),counsels and,knowledge

If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas of counsels and knowledge, you could express the same ideas in other ways. See how you translated knowledge in [1:4](../01/04.md). Alternate translation: “that can counsel you and make you knowledgeable”

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

22:20 OSHB variant note: שלשום: (x-qere) ’שָׁלִישִׁ֑ים’: lemma_7991 c n_1 morph_HAompa id_20aYb שָׁלִישִׁ֑ים

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 22:20

Hebrew word order