PROV 25:4 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 25:4–5

Both verses of this proverb state that something undesirable must be removed in order to achieve the desired result. The first verse illustrates this principle by describing the process of refining silver. The second verse applies the principle to a king’s ability to rule righteously. The second verse is the main topic of the proverb.

25:4–5

The two verses of this proverb are parallel to each other. The second line of each verse states the result of obeying the command in the first line. Notice the parallel parts that have a similar function:

^4a Remove the dross from the silver,

^4b and a vessel for a silversmith will come forth.

^5a Remove the wicked from the king’s presence,

^5b and his throne will be established in righteousness.

25:4a

Remove the dross from the silver,

¶ It is necessary to remove the impurities from silver
¶ If you^(sing) melt/clean silver to remove what is dirty/bad,

Remove the dross from the silver: This command describes the need to remove impurities from the silver ore. The ore was heated in a container until it melted. The dross (lead oxide scum and other impurities) floated to the top. It was skimmed off to separate it from the pure silver.Longman (page 451), UBS (page 542).

The command is not directed to a specific individual. It describes a condition that must be fulfilled in order for pure silver to be produced.According to Waltke (page 314) “remove is…equivalent to a conditional clause.” It means “if you remove.” Some other ways to translate this command are:

Remove the scum from the silver (NCV)

Take the impurities out of silver (GNT)

In areas where the process of refining silver is not known, a general statement may be a good option. For example:

Silver must be purified (CEV)

25:4b

and a vessel for a silversmith will come forth.

before a silversmith/craftsman can make it into a beautiful object.
then a skilled worker can use it to make valuable things.

and a vessel for a silversmith will come forth: This line summarizes what happens after the dross has been removed (25:4a). The silversmith takes the remaining material (the pure melted silver that remains in the container). He then uses it to make a vessel (any utensil or other object).Waltke (page 314), UBS (page 542). Some ways to translate this line are:

Emphasize the material that the silversmith can use. For example:
so the silver can be used by the silversmith (NCV)
Emphasize the valuable object that the silversmith makes. For example:
before it can be used to make something of value (CEV)
Then the craftsman can make something beautiful.

silversmith: In Hebrew, this word can refer to anyone who melts metal ore (such as gold, silver, or iron) in order to obtain the pure metal. Here it refers to someone who is involved in the whole process of making things from silver. In languages that do not have a term such as silversmith, some other ways to translate it are:

Use a general term. For example:
craftsman
worker
Describe what is made. Leave the person who makes it implied, as in the CEV, quoted above.

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: translate-unknown

סִיגִ֣ים

dross

The word dross refers to material in metal that people do not want, so the refiner removes the impurities by melting the metal and taking the dross out of the melted metal. If your readers would not be familiar with this type of process, you could use the name of something similar in your area or you could use a more general term. Alternate translation: “the unwanted material”

Note 2 topic: grammar-connect-time-sequential

וַ⁠יֵּצֵ֖א & כֶּֽלִי

and=he/it_went_out & vessel

The word translated and at the beginning of this clause indicates that the event in the previous clause happens before the event in the second clause can happen. Use a natural form in your language to introduce the next event in a story. Alternate translation: “before a vessel comes out” or “so then a vessel can come out”

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

וַ⁠יֵּצֵ֖א לַ⁠צֹּרֵ֣ף כֶּֽלִי

and=he/it_went_out for,metalsmith vessel

Here Solomon refers to the refiner making a vessel from the silver mentioned in the previous clause as if that vessel comes out from the silver. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and a vessel is made by the refiner”

Note 4 topic: translate-unknown

לַ⁠צֹּרֵ֣ף

for,metalsmith

Here, the refiner refers to someone who removes unwanted material from metal by melting the metal and taking the dross out of the melted metal. If your readers would not be familiar with this type of person, you could use the name of something similar in your area or you could use a more general term. Alternate translation: “the person who removes unwanted material from metal”

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.