PROV 24:2 Interlinear View

24:2 OSHB note: We read one or more accents in L differently from BHQ.

24:2 OSHB note: We read one or more accents in L differently than BHS. Often this notation indicates a typographical error in BHS.

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.

24:2

This verse tells the parallel reasons to obey the commands in 24:1. Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

^2afor their hearts devise violence,

^2band their lips declare trouble.

The reasons progress from the inward plans of wicked people to their discussion of those plans.

24:2a–b

(combined/reordered)

For all they think and talk about is harming others and causing trouble/misery.

their hearts…their lips: These parallel phrases are figures of speech (synecdoche). They represent the wicked people themselves.

violence…declare trouble: In this context, both these terms refer to evil deeds that harm other people.The Hebrew word that is used in 24:2a is šod. Both TWOT (#2331a) and NIDOTTE (H8719) gloss it as “violence, destruction.” The word used in other verses, such as 3:31a, 10:6b, 13:2b, and 16:29a is ḥamas (TWOT #678a, NIDOTTE H2805), which almost always describes violence that is associated with sin or wickedness. The Hebrew word that is used in 24:2b is ʿamal. This word is often associated with the misery that comes from hard labor. Here, it refers to the trouble or misery caused by the malicious deeds of wicked people. See TWOT (#1639a) and NIDOTTE (H6662) for more details. Some versions translate the second term as “mischief.” In English, this word often refers to the minor, naughty things that children do. But the Hebrew terms here refer to more serious acts of evil.

24:2a

for their hearts devise violence,

For with their minds they plan how to do things that are cruel/violent,
They are always thinking of ways to harm other people

for their hearts devise violence: This line means “they plan to treat others in a way that is harmful, cruel, or oppressive.” Some other ways to translate this line are:

for violence is all they think of (REB)

Their minds are always planning violence (NCV)

The word violence also occurs in 21:7.

24:2b

and their lips declare trouble.

and with their mouths, they talk about causing trouble.
and what they talk about is their plans to cause them distress/misery.

and their lips declare trouble: This line means that they discuss ways that they can cause trouble, harm, or misery to other people. Some other ways to translate this line are:

and they always talk about causing trouble

General Comment on 24:2a–b

In some languages, it may be more natural to combine and/or reorder one or more of the parallel parts. For example:

All they think about and talk about is violence and cruelty. (CEV)

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-collectivenouns

יֶהְגֶּ֣ה לִבָּ֑⁠ם

devise heart_of,their

Although heart is singular, it refers to all the hearts of the people who plot violence. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use the plural form. Alternate translation: “their hearts plot”

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / synecdoche

לִבָּ֑⁠ם & שִׂפְתֵי⁠הֶ֥ם

heart_of,their & lips_of,their

Here, hearts and lips refer to the whole person. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the meaning plainly, as in the UST.

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

שֹׁ֭ד

violence

See how you translated the abstract noun violence in [3:31](../03/31.md).

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

וְ֝⁠עָמָ֗ל

and,trouble

If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of trouble, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “and … what troubles people”

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