PROV 25:22 Interlinear View

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

Paragraph 25:21–22

The first verse of this proverb advises the reader to treat an enemy in need with kindness. The second verse gives two reasons or motivations for heeding this advice.

25:22a

For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head,

If you^(sing) do that, his shame will be intense. It will be as if you have piled hot coals on his head.
For if you show them kindness like this, you will cause them to be ashamed of being your enemy.

The first reason or motivation for following the advice in 25:21 is that it has an effect on the enemy. The second reason is that it results in God’s reward for the person who shows kindness.

^22aFor in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head,

^22band the LORD will reward you.

For in so doing: In Hebrew, this verse begins with a word the BSB translates as “for” because it introduces the reasons or motivations for obeying the advice in 25:21. Other versions, such as the NIV, omit the word “for.” They express the effect of the kind deed in other ways. For example:

In this way… (GW)

Still other versions leave the reason implied. For example:

You will heap… (NLT)

Translate this reason/motivation in a natural way in your language.

you will heap burning coals on his head: This clause is a metaphor. It compares the pain of a guilty conscience to the burning effect of red-hot coals. It means that the person who shows kindness to an enemy causes the enemy to feel bitter regret and shame.

In many languages, a literal translation of this metaphor will not be understood correctly. Some other ways to translate it are:

Change the metaphor to a simile. For example:
This will be the same as piling burning coals on their heads (CEV)
Keep the idea of burning, but make it clear that it is used figuratively. For example:
You will heap burning coals of shame on their heads (NLT)
You will make them burn with shame (GNT) You should use this option only if the words “burn/burning” and “shame” fit together understandably in your language.
Translate the meaning directly. Then add the figure of speech. For example:
You will cause him remorse and shame. It is like you have piled live/hot coals on his head.
Translate the meaning directly. Do not translate the figure of speech. For example:
you will make him feel guilty and ashamed (GW)

25:22b

and the LORD will reward you.

As for you,^(sing) Yahweh will reward you.
and Yahweh will reward you for your kindness.

and the LORD will reward you: It is implied that the LORD will give this reward because the person showed kindness to his enemy instead of hatred.

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

גֶֽחָלִ֗ים אַ֭תָּה חֹתֶ֣ה עַל־רֹאשׁ֑⁠וֹ

burning_coals you(ms) heap on/upon/above/on_account_of//he/it_went_in his/its=head

Here, heaping coals on his head is an idiom that most likely refers to causing that person to feel ashamed. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the meaning plainly or use a simile. Alternate translation: “cause him to feel ashamed for what he has done” or “you make him feel ashamed, as if you were heaping coals on his head”

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

יְשַׁלֶּם־לָֽ⁠ךְ

reward to/for=you(fs)

See how you translated the same use of repay in [19:17](../19/17.md).

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 25:22

Hebrew word order

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

Paragraph 25:21–22

25:22a

25:22b

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