PROV 29:8 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

29:8

This proverb is about the effect of two different kinds of people on a city. Notice the parallel parts that contrast in meaning:

^8a Mockers inflame a city,

^8bbut the wise turn away anger.

29:8a

Mockers inflame a city,

Mockers cause trouble/disorder in their city,
Arrogant people who mock the opinions of their townmates are like a person who blows on burning coals. They cause the angry people in the city to riot.

Mockers: Mockers are arrogant people who treat others with scorn. This verse does not specify what mockers mock. If it is necessary to make explicit what they mock, the implied information in this context is probably the opinions of rival groups of people in the city. For example:

People who make fun of the opinions of their townmates

See mocker in the Glossary.

inflame a city: In Hebrew, this phrase is literally “blow a city.” The topic of this metaphor is a person who causes increasing disorder in a city. The illustration is a person who blows or fans hot coals into flame.UBS (p. 607), Cohen (p. 194). Some other ways to translate this metaphor are:

Use a similar metaphor in your language. For example:
Sneering at others is a spark that sets a city on fire (CEV)
Scoffers set a city aflame (ESV)
Change the metaphor to a simile. For example:
A mocker causes disorder throughout a city. He is like someone who fans hot coals into a blazing fire.
Translate the meaning without using a figure of speech. For example:
Mockers create an uproar in a city (GW)

29:8b

but the wise turn away anger.

but people who are wise restore order/peace.
Wise people are able to calm/cool the hot tempers of their angry townmates.

but the wise turn away anger: This line means that wise people are able to calm down angry people and restore order in a city. Some other ways to translate this line are:

but the wise will calm anger (NET)

but people who are wise will cause their townmates to stop being angry

In some languages, it may be possible to use a figure of speech that contrasts with the metaphor in the first line. For example:

using good sense can put out the flames of anger (CEV)

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

אַנְשֵׁ֣י לָ֭צוֹן

men_of scoffing

Here Solomon is using the possessive form to describe Men who are characterized by mockery. If your language would not use the possessive form for this, you could use a different expression. Alternate translation: “Men who are mockers”

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

יָפִ֣יחוּ

set_~_aflame

Here Solomon refers to people causing the people in a city to become angry and violent as if they were setting the city on fire. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the meaning plainly or use a simile. Alternate translation: “enrage” or “cause turmoil in”

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

קִרְיָ֑ה

city

Here, city refers to the people who live in a city. See how you translated the same use of city in [11:10](../11/10.md).

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

יָשִׁ֥יבוּ אָֽף

turn_away anger

Here Solomon refers to people ceasing to feel angry as if they were turning their noses away from the person with whom they are angry. See how you translated the similar phrase “turns away his nose” in [24:18](../24/18.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 29:8

Hebrew word order

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

29:8

29:8a

29:8b

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