PROV 24:1 Interlinear View

24:1 OSHB variant note: תתאו: (x-qere) ’תִּ֝תְאָ֗יו’: lemma_183 n_0.0 morph_HVtj2ms id_206mr תִּ֝תְאָ֗יו

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 24:1–2 Saying 19

In this saying, the author continues to address his readers as a father who advises his son. The first verse has two similar commands. The second verse tells the reason for following these commands.

24:1

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

^1a Do not envy wicked men

^1b or desire their company;

There is a natural progression from desiring the things that wicked people have to desiring their friendship. The teacher warns against both of these desires.

24:1a

Do not envy wicked men

¶ You^(sing) should not be envious/jealous of people who are wicked,
¶ Do not strongly desire to have the things that bad/wicked people enjoy.

Do not envy wicked men: This command implies that the young man should not strongly desire the possessions and pleasures that evil people often enjoy. Some other ways to translate this command are:

Don’t be envious of evil people (GNT)

You should not be jealous of the prosperity of people who are wicked.

This command is almost identical in meaning to the first line of 23:17. That command has “Do not let your heart envy” instead of Do not envy. It also has “sinners” instead of wicked men.

24:1b

or desire their company;

and you^(sing) should not associate with them.
Do not try to become their friends.

or desire their company: This line warns the young man to not become friends with wicked people. He should not want to associate with them. Some other ways to translate this line are:

and don’t try to make friends with them (GNT)

or wish you were with them (GW)

or desire their friendship (REB)

uW Translation Notes:

[24:1](../24/01.md)–2 is Saying 19 of the 30 “words of the wise ones.”

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

בְּ⁠אַנְשֵׁ֣י רָעָ֑ה

of,people_of evil

Here the writer is using the possessive form to describe men who are characterized by evil. If your language would not use the possessive form for this, you could use a different expression. Alternate translation: “of evil men”

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / gendernotations

בְּ⁠אַנְשֵׁ֣י

of,people_of

Although the term men is masculine, the writer is using the word in a generic sense that includes both men and women. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a phrase that makes this clear. Alternate translation: “of people of”

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

24:1 OSHB variant note: תתאו: (x-qere) ’תִּ֝תְאָ֗יו’: lemma_183 n_0.0 morph_HVtj2ms id_206mr תִּ֝תְאָ֗יו

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.