PROV 24:21 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 24:21–22 Saying 30

In this saying, the teacher advises his son to respect and obey both the LORD and the king (24:21). If he opposes them, disaster will be the result (24:22).

24:21

The first line is a positive command: it tells the son what he should do in regard to the highest rulers in heaven and on earth. The second line is a negative command: it tells the son what he should not do in regard to people who rebel against either of these rulers.

^21aMy son, fear the LORD and the king,

^21band do not associate with the rebellious.

24:21a

My son, fear the LORD and the king,

¶ My son, respect and obey both Yahweh and the king.
¶ My child, you^(sing) should fear Yahweh and the ruler of your country. Show them proper respect.

My son: See how you translated this phrase in 24:13. In that verse, the BSB put the phrase in the middle of the sentence. You should put it wherever it is natural in your language.

fear the LORD and the king: In Proverbs, the command fear the LORD occurs only here. The noun phrase “the fear of the LORD” occurs frequently. It last occurred in 23:17. See the note on 10:27a for translation advice.

This command indicates that the son should fear and respect both of these rulers. He should also submit to their authority and obey them. When the phrase applies only to the LORD, the meaning includes reverential awe. Here the command applies also to the king, so it does not include this aspect of meaning.

If possible, choose a word or words that express at least two aspects of meaning. For example:

Respect and obey the LORD and also the king/chief

24:21b

and do not associate with the rebellious.

You^(sing) must not associate/join with people who rebel against either of them.
Do not make friends with people who refuse to submit to their authority.

and do not associate with the rebellious: There are textual and interpretation issues here. The notes will discuss both kinds of issues together:

The Masoretic Text has “do not associate with those who change.” The phrase “those who change” means “people who rebel.” For example:
and do not associate with rebels (NET) (BSB, CEV, ESV, NCV, NET, NIV, NJPS, NLT, GNT)
The Masoretic Text has “do not associate with those who change.” The phrase “those who change” means “people who like to try new ways of doing things.” For example:
Do not associate with those who are given to change (NASB) (GW, KJV, NASB, NJB)
The LXX has “do not disobey either of them.” For example:
and do not disobey either of them (NRSV) (NRSV)

It is recommended that you follow option (1). Most versions and commentaries follow this option.The HOTTP recommends the Masoretic Text over the LXX. One reason to follow option (1) rather than option (2) is that “innovators” (NJB) often have helpful ideas. It seems unlikely that they would be punished with “disaster,” whereas such a punishment would be appropriate for people who rebel against established rulers. Some scholars recommend a fourth option. This option is to associate the word for “those who change” with an Arabic root that means “persons of high rank” (REB). Fox (page 752) argues against this option on the grounds that the teacher is training the son to assume a position of authority, so a command to not associate with those of high rank does not fit the overall context. The NIV11 (“rebellious officials”) seems to combine options (1) and (4), perhaps on the grounds that a person who rebels or revolts is likely to be an official. See UBS (page 528) for a general discussion of the textual issues. For a more technical discussion, see Waltke (pages 279–280) or McKane (page 406). Some other ways to translate this option are:

Have nothing to do with people who rebel against them (GNT)

and you must not make friends with anyone who rebels against either of them (CEV)

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.