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OET interlinear PROV 25:15

◄ ← PROV 25:15 ↓ → ► ║ ©

Hebrew word order

    1. Hebrew word
    2. Hebrew lemma
    3. OET-LV words
    4. OET-RV words
    5. Strongs
    6. Role/Morphology
    7. Gloss
    8. CAPS codes
    9. OET tags
    10. OET word #
    1. בְּ,אֹרֶךְ
    2. 396284,396285
    3. By length of
    4. -
    5. 753
    6. S-R,Ncmsc
    7. by,length_of
    8. S
    9. Y-700
    10. 276448
    1. אַפַּיִם
    2. 396286
    3. anger(s)
    4. -
    5. 639
    6. S-Ncmda
    7. anger(s)
    8. -
    9. Y-700
    10. 276449
    1. יְפֻתֶּה
    2. 396287
    3. he will be persuaded
    4. persuaded
    6. V-VPi3ms
    7. he_will_be_persuaded
    8. -
    9. Y-700
    10. 276450
    1. קָצִין
    2. 396288
    3. a ruler
    4. ruler
    5. 7101
    6. S-Ncmsa
    7. a_ruler
    8. -
    9. Y-700
    10. 276451
    1. וְ,לָשׁוֹן
    2. 396289,396290
    3. and a tongue
    4. ≈and tongue
    5. 3956
    6. S-C,Ncbsa
    7. and,a_tongue
    8. -
    9. Y-700
    10. 276452
    1. רַכָּה
    2. 396291
    3. soft
    4. -
    5. 7390
    6. S-Aafsa
    7. soft
    8. -
    9. Y-700
    10. 276453
    1. תִּשְׁבָּר
    2. 396292
    3. it will break
    4. break
    5. 7665
    6. V-Vqi3fs
    7. it_will_break
    8. -
    9. Y-700
    10. 276454
    2. 396293
    3. -
    4. -
    6. -x-maqqef
    8. -
    9. -
    10. 276455
    1. גָּרֶם
    2. 396294
    3. a bone
    4. -
    5. 1634
    6. O-Ncmsa
    7. a_bone
    8. -
    9. Y-700
    10. 276456
    2. 396295
    3. -
    4. -
    6. -x-sof-pasuq
    8. -
    9. -
    10. 276457

OET (OET-LV) By_length_of anger(s) a_ruler he_will_be_persuaded and_a_tongue soft it_will_break a_bone.

OET (OET-RV) A ruler can be persuaded by being patient,
 ⇔ ≈ and a soft tongue can break a bone.

SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 25:1–29:27: This is Hezekiah’s collection of Solomon’s proverbs

This section is the second collection of Solomon’s proverbs. These proverbs were organized and copied by men who served King Hezekiah. Most scholars divide this section into two groups. These groups differ in several ways.

The first group (chapters 25–27) has many more comparisons and admonitions. In Hebrew, most of these comparisons are metaphors in which one or more illustrations precede the topic. Some English versions change the order so that the topic precedes the illustration(s). You should follow the order that expresses the meaning naturally and effectively in your language.

In the first group, many proverbs are one verse long. As with the individual proverbs in the main collection of Solomon’s proverbs (Section 10:1–22:16), they are not related to the proverbs around them. Other proverbs in this group are two or more verses long. Still others are one-verse proverbs that are closely related in theme. Proverbs in all three categories will be marked as separate paragraphs.

The second group (chapters 28–29) has more contrastive proverbs. The proverbs in this group are each one verse long. They will not be marked as separate paragraphs.

Some other headings for this section are:

More Proverbs of Solomon (NIV)

Proverbs of Solomon Collected by Hezekiah (NET)

These are also wise things that Solomon said

25:15

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

15a Through patience a ruler can be persuaded,

15band a gentle tongue can break a bone.

The underlined parts refer to the means by which a person can accomplish something difficult (the parts in bold print). The overall meaning is that a patient attitude and gentle words can convince a stubborn person and overcome strong opposition.

25:15a

Through patience a ruler can be persuaded,

Through patience: The Hebrew phrase that the BSB translates as patience is literally “length of anger.” It describes the attitude and behavior of a person who interacts with others in a calm and patient way. Such a person takes a long time to become angry.

a ruler: The word that the BSB translates here as ruler may refer specifically to a military leader or administrator. (In 6:7, the BSB translated the same word as “commander.”) It may also refer generally to any leader in a position of authority. The context implies that this leader is stubborn and has strong opinions. Some other ways to translate this word are:

chief

leader

can be persuaded: In the context, this phrase implies that the leader can be convinced to change his mind and do something that he originally opposed. It is also implied that he agrees to do what the patient person recommends.

Some other ways to translate this line are:

With patience you can convince a ruler (NCV)

When a person is patient, he can convince even a stubborn leader

25:15a–b

(combined/reordered)

25:15b

and a gentle tongue can break a bone.

and a gentle tongue: This phrase is a figure of speech (metonymy). It represents gentle, soothing, or quiet words. Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

a soft tongue

gentle talk (CEV)

a person who speaks quietly and soothingly

can break a bone: In contrast to the “tongue,” a bone is the hardest part of the body. The phrase break a bone is used here as a figure of speech. It indicates that gentle speech is able to overcome strong opposition. In the context of 15:12a, it probably means a person who speaks gently can persuade even a stubborn ruler to change his mind. Some other ways to translate this figure of speech are:

General Comment on 25:15a–b

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

Patient persuasion can break down the strongest resistance and can even convince rulers. (GNT)

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

בְּ⁠אֹ֣רֶךְ אַ֭פַּיִם

by,length_of tempers

The phrase length of nostrils refers to being patient and not getting angry quickly. The word nostrils means “anger” by association with the way that a person who is angry breathes heavily through his nose, causing his nostrils to open wide. Your language and culture may also associate anger with a particular part of the body. If so, you could use an expression involving that part of the body in your translation. You could also use plain language. See how you translated the similar phrase “long of nostrils” in [14:29](../14/29.md). Alternate translation: “By not venting one’s spleen” or “By not getting angry quickly”

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

יְפֻתֶּ֣ה קָצִ֑ין

persuaded ruler

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “someone may persuade a commander”

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / genericnoun

קָצִ֑ין וְ⁠לָשׁ֥וֹן רַ֝כָּ֗ה תִּשְׁבָּר־גָּֽרֶם

ruler and,a_tongue soft break bone

Here, a commander, a soft tongue, and a bone refer to these people and things in general. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use more natural expressions. Alternate translation: “any commander … and any soft tongue can break any bone”

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

וְ⁠לָשׁ֥וֹן רַ֝כָּ֗ה

and,a_tongue soft

Here Solomon is speaking of something spoken in a gentle manner as if someone were speaking with a soft tongue. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and speaking gently”

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

תִּשְׁבָּר־גָּֽרֶם

break bone

Here Solomon speaks of overcoming strong opposition as if someone were breaking a bone. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “can overcome opposition”

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

    1. OET-LV words
    2. OET-RV words
    3. Strongs
    4. Hebrew word
    5. Hebrew lemma
    6. Role/Morphology
    7. Gloss
    8. CAPS codes
    9. OET tags
    10. OET word #
    1. By length of
    2. -
    3. 846,773
    5. 396284,396285
    6. S-R,Ncmsc
    8. S
    9. Y-700
    10. 276448
    1. anger(s)
    2. -
    3. 545
    5. 396286
    6. S-Ncmda
    8. -
    9. Y-700
    10. 276449
    1. a ruler
    2. ruler
    3. 6969
    5. 396288
    6. S-Ncmsa
    8. -
    9. Y-700
    10. 276451
    1. he will be persuaded
    2. persuaded
    3. 6432
    5. 396287
    6. V-VPi3ms
    8. -
    9. Y-700
    10. 276450
    1. and a tongue
    2. ≈and tongue
    3. 1987,3834
    5. 396289,396290
    6. S-C,Ncbsa
    8. -
    9. Y-700
    10. 276452
    1. soft
    2. -
    3. 7212
    5. 396291
    6. S-Aafsa
    8. -
    9. Y-700
    10. 276453
    1. it will break
    2. break
    3. 7769
    5. 396292
    6. V-Vqi3fs
    8. -
    9. Y-700
    10. 276454
    1. a bone
    2. -
    3. 1442
    5. 396294
    6. O-Ncmsa
    8. -
    9. Y-700
    10. 276456

OET (OET-LV) By_length_of anger(s) a_ruler he_will_be_persuaded and_a_tongue soft it_will_break a_bone.

OET (OET-RV) A ruler can be persuaded by being patient,
 ⇔ ≈ and a soft tongue can break a bone.

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 logo mark

◄ ← PROV 25:15 ↑ → ► ║ ©