PROV 23:11 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 23:10–11 Saying 10

This saying deals with the topic of boundary markers, as does 22:28. Two major differences are that this saying adds a specific warning not to steal land from orphans. Verse 23:11 also gives a reason or motivation to obey the warning.

23:11

The reason why a person should not take the land of orphans who cannot defend themselves is that they do in fact have someone who will defend them. The first line of this verse describes what this defender is like. The second line describes what he will do to defend orphans whose land has been wrongfully taken.

^11afor their Redeemer is strong;

^11bHe will take up their case against you.

23:11a

for their Redeemer is strong;

Because Yahweh himself will defend/protect them, and he has great authority/power.
Because Yahweh is like a close relative who is responsible to protect/help them, and he is very strong/powerful.

for their Redeemer is strong: This line contains a metaphor that leaves a lot of information implied. It compares the LORD to a close relative of a needy person. This relative was responsible to defend and protect the rights of the needy person. He was also responsible to take legal action against anyone who wronged them.

Redeemer: In Hebrew, the noun used here is a technical legal term. It refers specifically to a particular relative who had these responsibilities.See NIDOTTE (H1457) and TWOT (#300c) for more details about the usage of the Hebrew word goʾel. The form used here is technically a participial noun. The same term is used in the story of Ruth and Boaz (see Ruth 2:20; 3:9; and 4:1, 3). In that context, the BSB translated it as “kinsman-redeemer.” Another expression is:

the one who is responsible for them (GW)

If your language has an expression for such a person, you may be able to use it here.

strong: In this context, the word strong refers to the authority and power that a person needs to successfully defend the rights of orphans.

In Hebrew, this metaphor does not indicate explicitly who the defender is. Some English versions indicate that the Redeemer is the LORD, but they do not clarify that he functions here as a “kinsman-redeemer.” In most translations, it will be helpful to supply at least some of the implied information. For example:

Make explicit that the one who redeems orphans is the LORD. For example:
The Lord is their powerful defender (GNT)
God, their defender, is strong (NCV)
Imply that the one who defends/redeems orphans is the LORD by using a capital letter, as the BSB has done. For example:
for their Redeemer is strong (ESV)
for their Protector is strong (NET)
they have a powerful Guardian (REB) If you use this option, remember that it will be helpful only to readers, not to listeners.
Make explicit that the LORD fulfills the responsibilities of a close relative. For example:
The Lord is like a relative who has the responsibility of helping them, and he is very strong.This suggestion, based on a Pacific language, is taken from UBS (page 492).
Add a footnote that explains the meaning of the word used here and lists some of verses where it is used. For example:
In Hebrew, this word refers to a close relative who was responsible to defend the rights of a person who was in trouble or danger. This relative often helped the person not to lose his ancestral land. See Leviticus 25:25, 48–49; and Ruth 2:20; 3:9; 4:1, 3.

Consider which option or combination of options will effectively express the meaning in your language.

23:11b

He will take up their case against you.

He will speak on their behalf and will give a verdict that is against you^(sing).
He is the one who will defend them in court and will punish you.

He will take up their case against you: In this clause the pronoun He is emphatic.Cohen (page 154). This emphasis is also implied by the context. It emphasizes that the LORD himself will defend them as their lawyer. He will also serve as a judge who will punish the person who takes their land. Some other ways to translate this clause are:

he himself will bring their charges against you (NLT)

he will defend their rights and will condemn you

This clause and the context are very similar to 22:23a. See the notes there for other translation advice.

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

גֹאֲלָ֥⁠ם

redeemer_of,their

Here, their redeemer refers to Yahweh. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state this explicitly. Alternate translation: “their redeemer, Yahweh,”

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

הֽוּא־יָרִ֖יב אֶת־רִיבָ֣⁠ם אִתָּֽ⁠ךְ

he/it plead DOM case_of,their with,you

Here, the writer refers to Yahweh protecting “the fatherless ones” as if he were a lawyer who defends them in a legal dispute. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “he himself will defend the orphans against you”

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / rpronouns

הֽוּא־יָרִ֖יב

he/it plead

The writer uses the word himself to emphasize how significant it was that Yahweh defends the defenseless. Use a way that is natural in your language to indicate this significance. Alternate translation: “he indeed will plead”

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

אֶת־רִיבָ֣⁠ם

DOM case_of,their

See how you translated the abstract noun dispute in [15:18](../15/18.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.