PROV 31:23 Interlinear View

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. נוֹדָע
2. 398706
3. +is known
4. -
5. 3045
6. V-VNrmsa
7. [is]_known
8. S
9. Y-700
10. 278311
1. בַּ,שְּׁעָרִים
2. 398707,398708
3. in gates
4. ≈in with
5. 8179
6. S-Rd,Ncmpa
7. in,gates
8. -
9. Y-700
10. 278312
1. בַּעְלָ,הּ
2. 398709,398710
3. husband of her
4. Her husband
5. 1167
6. S-Ncmsc,Sp3fs
7. husband_of,her
8. -
9. Y-700
10. 278313
1. בְּ,שִׁבְתּ,וֹ
2. 398711,398712,398713
3. when sits he
4. sits
5. 3427
6. VS-R,Vqc,Sp3ms
7. when,sits,he
8. -
9. Y-700
10. 278314
1. עִם
2. 398714
3. with
4. -
6. S-R
7. with
8. -
9. Y-700
10. 278315
2. 398715
3. -
4. -
6. -x-maqqef
8. -
9. -
10. 278316
1. זִקְנֵי
2. 398716
3. +the elders of
4. elders
5. 2205
6. S-Aampc
7. [the]_elders_of
8. -
9. Y-700
10. 278317
2. 398717
3. -
4. -
6. -x-maqqef
8. -
9. -
10. 278318
1. אָרֶץ
2. 398718
3. +the land
4. -
5. 776
6. S-Ncbsa
7. [the]_land
8. -
9. Y-700
10. 278319
2. 398719
3. -
4. -
6. -x-sof-pasuq
8. -
9. -
10. 278320

SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 31:10–31: This poem describes a capable wife who has good character

In Hebrew, this section is arranged in the form of an acrostic poem. Each of its twenty-two verses begins with a different letter, following the normal order of the Hebrew alphabet. The poem praises the character and abilities of an ideal wife. After an introduction that describes her value (vv. 10–12), the poem describes her activities and achievements in various areas (vv. 13–27). It concludes with praise by her family (vv. 28–29) and all the people (vv. 30–31). The last two verses also serve as the poet’s final conclusion. They summarize what is truly important in an ideal wife.Waltke (page 515) says that the final two verses are praise “by all.” Murphy (page 245) agrees that the “praise” in the final two verses is the “goal or purpose of the poem.”

Some other headings for this section are:

A good wife with many abilities

Description of a Worthy Woman (NASB)

A truly good wife (CEV)

31:23

Both lines describe her husband’s respected status as one of the elders. The underlined parallel parts are similar in meaning. The parallel parts in bold print imply that the elders represent a wider area than the city itself.Whybray (page 429), Waltke (page 531), UBS (page 660).

^23aHer husband is known at the city gate,

^23bwhere he sits among the elders of the land.

31:23a

Her husband is known at the city gate,

¶ Her husband is well-known at the meeting place by the gate of the city.
¶ People know her husband and respect him, because he meets with the other leaders of the city

Her husband is known at the city gate: The word known implies that he is respected. The city gate was the place where the leaders met to discuss problems and judge cases. Some other ways to translate this line are:

Keep the reference to the city gate. Add a footnote if needed to explain the significance. For example:
Her husband is well-known at the city gates (NLT)
Suggested footnote: The gate of the city was a place where the leaders met to talk about problems and decide legal cases. The residents often attended these meetings.
Translate the significance of the city gate. For example:
Her husband is known at the city meetings (NCV)

31:23a–b

(combined/reordered)

Her husband is one of the respected leaders/elders of their city and the surrounding area.

31:23b

where he sits among the elders of the land.

He joins the other elders of the region/land at their council meetings.
and discusses/decides important business for his fellow residents/citizens.

where he sits among the elders of the land: This line means that he is actively involved in the political and judicial business of the area as one of the city elders.

land: The Hebrew word for land often refers to a country. Here it probably refers to a wider area, such as a district or region. People came into the city from the wider area to get advice or discuss their problems with the elders.

where he makes decisions as one of the leaders of the land (NCV)

where he takes his seat with the elders of the region (REB)

General Comment on 31:23a–b

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

Her husband is a well-known and respected leader in the city. (CEV)

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

נוֹדָ֣ע & בַּעְלָ֑⁠הּ

known & (Some words not found in UHB: known in,gates husband_of,her when,sits,he with elders_of land )

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: [People know her husband]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

נוֹדָ֣ע

known

Here, the phrase is known implies that this woman’s husband is respected by many people. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state this explicitly. Alternate translation: [is respected]

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

בַּ⁠שְּׁעָרִ֣ים

(Some words not found in UHB: known in,gates husband_of,her when,sits,he with elders_of land )

Here, the gates refers to the place in a town or city where many people would gather and where the elders would sit to discuss matters and make legal decisions. See how you translated the same use of the gates in [1:21](../01/21.md).

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

בְּ֝⁠שִׁבְתּ֗⁠וֹ עִם

(Some words not found in UHB: known in,gates husband_of,her when,sits,he with elders_of land )

Here, sits with refers to sitting down with the elders of the land in order to make laws and resolve legal disputes. Someone who sits with the elders is actually one of them. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [when he sits down to make legal decisions with]

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

זִקְנֵי־אָֽרֶץ

elders_of land

The phrase the elders of the land refers to the leaders of the town or city in which this woman lives with her husband. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state this explicitly. Alternate translation: [the leaders of the town]

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 31:23