PROV 31:26 Interlinear View

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)

Paragraph 31:25–27

This paragraph further describes the wife in terms of her character, reputation, and attitude (v. 25). It then describes the way she talks (v. 26) and the way she cares for her household (v. 27).

31:26

The ESV has been used as the source line for 26b, because it follows a recommended interpretation for the second line. It also shows the parallelism more clearly.

^26aShe opens her mouth with wisdom, (BSB)

^26band the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. (ESV)

31:26a–b

opens her mouth…on her tongue: In Hebrew, the parallel phrases opens her mouth and on her tongue are frequently used figuratively to refer to speech. Here they both represent the words that the wife speaks.

31:26a

She opens her mouth with wisdom,

When she opens her mouth to speak, wise words come out.
When she speaks, the things that she says are wise/sensible.

She opens her mouth with wisdom: Some other ways to translate this figure of speech are:

Keep the figurative reference to mouth. For example:
When she opens her mouth, it is to speak wisely (REB)
Her mouth is full of wisdom (NJPS)
Wise words come from her mouth
Translate without using a figure of speech. For example:
She speaks with wisdom (NIV)
When she speaks, her words are wise (NLT)

31:26b

and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

The words that come from her lips/tongue when she teaches are kind/gentle.
She is patient/kind whenever she teaches someone in her household.

(ESV) and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue: In Hebrew, the word that the ESV translates as kindness has three aspects of meaning: loyalty, love, and kindness (see the notes on 3:3a and 14:22b for more information). In this verse, versions focus on either love/kindness or loyalty/reliability. The two interpretations are as follows:

The word kindness refers here to love or kindness. For example:
kindly instruction (NJB)
(CEV, ESV, GW, NAB, NASB, NET, NJB, NJPS, NLT, NRSV, GNT)
The word kindness refers here to loyalty or reliability. For example:
faithful instruction (NIV) (BSB, NIV, REB)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), along with most versions and commentaries.Two commentaries that support the reliability of the teaching are McKane (page 670) and Ross (page 1133).

In addition, there are two ways to interpret the phrase teaching of kindness:

It refers to teaching/instruction that is done in a kind manner. For example:
kindly instruction (NJB) (CEV, GW, NAB, NET, NJB, NJPS, NLT, GNT)
It refers to teaching/instruction about kindness. For example:
teaches other to be kind (NCV) (NCV)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), along with most versions and commentaries. Note: Versions that translate literally (“teaching/instruction of kindness”) have not been listed under either interpretation, because they could be interpreted either way. These versions include the ESV, NASB, and NRSV.

Some other ways to translate this line are:

Keep the figurative reference to tongue or a similar figure of speech, such as “lips.” For example:
Her tongue is full with kindly teaching (NJPS)The phrase [is full] has been supplied to fill in the ellipsis.
Kind advice comes from her lips/tongue.
Translate without using a figure of speech. For example:
and she gives instructions with kindness (NLT)

The verse does not specify who the wife instructs. If possible, translate this line in a general way. If you need to specify who she instructs, it is probably her children and servants.Cohen (page 214) and Murphy (page 248) both suggest her children and servants. Toy (page 547) and Hubbard (page 484) add the category of friends.

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

פִּ֭י⁠הָ פָּתְחָ֣ה

her/its=mouth opens

Here, mouth opens refers to speaking. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “She talks”

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

בְ⁠חָכְמָ֑ה

with,wisdom

See how you translated the abstract noun wisdom in [1:2](../01/02.md).

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

וְ⁠תֽוֹרַת־חֶ֝֗סֶד

and,instruction_of kindness

Here, Lemuel’s mother is using the possessive form to describe the law that is characterized by covenant faithfulness. If your language would not use the possessive form for this, you could use a different expression. Alternate translation: “and the law that is characterized by covenant faithfulness”

Note 4 topic: grammar-collectivenouns

וְ⁠תֽוֹרַת

and,instruction_of

Although the law here is singular, it refers to what this woman teaches or instructs others. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and the instructions of” or “and the teachings of”

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

חֶ֝֗סֶד

kindness

See how you translated the same use of covenant faithfulness in [11:17](../11/17.md).

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

עַל־לְשׁוֹנָֽ⁠הּ

on/upon/above/on_account_of//he/it_went_in tongue_of,her

Here, on her tongue refers to her speaking, which involved using her tongue. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “is spoken by her”

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 31:26