OET interlinear PRO 30:21

uW Translation Notes:

[30:21](../30/21.md)–[23](../30/23.md) is the fourth of six numerical sayings in this chapter. See the discussion of numerical sayings in the Chapter Introduction for this chapter.

Note 1 topic: writing-poetry

תַּ֣חַת שָׁ֭לוֹשׁ רָ֣גְזָה אֶ֑רֶץ וְ⁠תַ֥חַת אַ֝רְבַּ֗ע לֹא־תוּכַ֥ל שְׂאֵֽת

below/instead_of three trembles earth/land and,under four not able to_elevate/lift_up

This is poetic language. If your language has a way to indicate poetry, you could use it here.bTo make a comprehensive statement, Agur is using a rhetorical device in which the speaker names a number that should be sufficient to illustrate his point and then increases that number by one for emphasis. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Since the meaning of both clauses is similar, you could also combine them into one clause. See how you translated the similar use of three things and four in [30:15](../30/15.md). Alternate translation: “Under these four things the earth truly shakes”

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / hyperbole

תַּ֣חַת שָׁ֭לוֹשׁ רָ֣גְזָה & וְ⁠תַ֥חַת אַ֝רְבַּ֗ע & שְׂאֵֽת

below/instead_of three trembles & and,under four & to_elevate/lift_up

Agur says quakes and hold up here as extreme statements to emphasize how intolerable the things in the following verses are for the earth. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a different way to express the emphasis. Alternate translation: “Because of three things … shudder, and because of four … to endure”

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

אֶ֑רֶץ & לֹא־תוּכַ֥ל

earth/land & not able

Here, the earth and it refer to the people who live on the earth. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the people on the earth … they are not able”