PROV 24:5 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 24:5–6 Saying 21

This saying teaches the importance of wise advisors in a time of warfare. Verse 24:5 states the main idea: wisdom enables a person to use his power more effectively. Verse 24:6 provides a specific context (warfare) that illustrates the truth of this statement.

24:5

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

^5a A wise man is strong,

^5band a man of knowledge enhances his strength.

24:5a–b

(combined/reordered)

¶ A wise man who uses what he knows increases his power.
¶ When a person is wise, he knows how to make his power greater.

There is a similar textual issue in both lines. The Notes will summarize the options for both lines together.

According to the Masoretic Text, a wise and knowledgeable man is able to use his strength with great effectiveness. For example:
^5aA wise man is full of strength,
^5band a man of knowledge enhances his might, (ESV) (BSB, CEV, ESV, KJV, NASB, NCV, NET, NIV, NJB, NJPS)
According to the LXX, a wise and knowledgeable man is better than a strong man. For example:
^5aA wise man is mightier than a strong man,
^5band a man of knowledge is more powerful than a strong man. (NLT96) (NAB, NLT96,The NLT follows option (2) for 24:5a and option (1) for 24:5b. It has: “The wise are mightier than the strong, and those with knowledge grow stronger and stronger.” Other versions follow the same option for both lines. NRSV, REB, GNT)

It is recommended that you follow option (1) along with most versions.The HOTTP supports the MT (option 1) with a “C” rating, indicating a considerable degree of doubt. The MT is followed by the Vulgate. It is supported by Waltke, Cohen, McKane, and Murphy. The LXX, Syriac, and Targum follow option (2). This option is supported by Fox and Longman. The MT is the more difficult text, especially in 24:5a, so it is more likely to be original. According to Waltke (page 269), the preposition bǝ that precedes the word ʿoz “strength” implies a verb such as “prevail” or “endure.” The absence of such a verb “confused the LXX translator.” However, both options have good support. If you use textual footnotes, you may want to give option (2) in a footnote. For example:

This is what the Hebrew (MT) says. What is written in the Greek translation (LXX) is: “A wise man is better than a strong man, and a man who has knowledge is more important than a strong man.”

24:5a

A wise man is strong,

¶ Wisdom gives a man great power/strength.
¶ A wise man is very strong/powerful,

A wise man: In the context of war (24:6), the word that the BSB translates as man could refer to a “warrior” (NET). But it could also refer to an adviser. Most versions use the general word man.

is strong: In Hebrew, this phrase is literally “[is] in strength.” The word “strength” can refer to physical strength. It can also refer to might or power. In this context, it probably refers to the kind of strength or power that a wise leader possesses to influence or rule over other people.

Some other ways to translate this line are:

A wise man has great power (NIV)

Wisdom brings strength (CEV)

24:5b

and a man of knowledge enhances his strength.

Knowledge also increases his power.
and a man who has knowledge can use his strength/power effectively/well.

and a man of knowledge enhances his strength: The BSB translates the Hebrew quite literally. It indicates that a man with knowledge is able to use power or strength more effectively. Some other ways to translate this line are:

and knowledge gives power (CEV)

When a man has knowledge, his strength/power increases.

General Comment on 24:5a–b

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

A wise person who knows what he is doing can use his power very effectively.

uW Translation Notes:

[24:5](../24/05.md)–6 is Saying 21 of the 30 “words of the wise ones.”

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / gendernotations

גֶּֽבֶר־חָכָ֥ם & וְ⁠אִֽישׁ־דַּ֝֗עַת

man wise & and,a_person_of knowledge

Although the term man 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: “Any person of wisdom … and any person of knowledge”

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

גֶּֽבֶר־חָכָ֥ם

man wise

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

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

חָכָ֥ם בַּ⁠ע֑וֹז & דַּ֝֗עַת & כֹּֽחַ

wise [is],strength & knowledge & ability

If your language does not use abstract nouns for the ideas of wisdom, strength, knowledge, and power, you could express the same ideas in other ways. See how you translated wisdom in [1:2](../01/02.md) and knowledge in [1:4](../01/04.md). Alternate translation: “what is wise is with what is strong … what is knowledgeable … what is powerful”

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

וְ⁠אִֽישׁ־דַּ֝֗עַת

and,a_person_of knowledge

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

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.

OET interlinear PROV 24:5

Hebrew word order