PROV 31:6 Interlinear View

SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 31:1–9: Here are the sayings of King Lemuel

The verses in this section were written or collected by King Lemuel. They contain advice that his mother gave him regarding the way that a good king should rule his people. Her advice focuses on a king’s relationships with women (v. 3), the use of intoxicating drink (vv. 4–7) and justice for the poor (vv. 8–9). English versions divide the paragraphs in this section in several ways. The paragraphs in the Notes will be divided according to these three topics. The title (v. 1) and introduction (v. 2) will each form a separate paragraph.

Some other headings for this section are:

What King Lemuel’s Mother Taught Him (CEV)

Advice to a King (GNT)

Wise Words of King Lemuel (NCV)

Paragraph 31:4–7

In this paragraph, Lemuel’s mother advises him about the harm that results when a king or ruler craves alcoholic beverages (31:4–5). She also advises him about the appropriate use of such beverages (31:6–7).

31:6

This verse contrasts with the warning that kings should avoid drinking. Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

^6aGive strong drink to one who is perishing,

^6band wine to the bitter in soul.

There is an ellipsis in 31:6b. In some languages, it may be necessary to supply the missing verb from 31:6a. For example:

^6band give wine to the bitter in soul.

Notice that the underlined parts occur in the opposite order from the parts in 31:4a and 31:4b.

31:6a–b

(combined/reordered)

The ones you^(plur) should give intoxicating drinks to are people who are dying or very sad/discouraged.

Give: In Hebrew, the command Give is plural. In this context, there are two main ways to interpret this plural verb:

The verb Give is meant literally. It advises kings to provide beer and wine to suffering people in their kingdoms. For example:
Give^(plur) intoxicating drinks to people who are perishing
Kings should give beer to people who are dying (BSB, ESV, GW, KJV, NAB, NASB, NCV, NET, NIV, NJB, NJPS, NRSV, REB)The versions listed here do not indicate that the command “Give” is plural, neither do they explicitly indicate that the command is to be understood literally. However, a literal understanding is compatible with normal English usage.
The verb Give is not meant literally as advice to kings. It introduces a statement that beer and wine are appropriate drinks for suffering people. For example:
Alcohol is for people who are dying (GNT)
Let beer be for those who are perishing (NIV11) (CEV, NIV11, NLT, GNT)

The Display will follow interpretation (1), along with most versions and scholars.Scholars who support interpretation (1), that kings should give liquor to people in distress, include Fox, McKane, Murphy, Delitzsch, Whybray, and Cohen. Waltke, UBS and Garrett do not support the idea of a literal program to supply liquor. Waltke’s own translation (page 505) has “Let intoxicants be given…,” but he understands this as a sarcastic statement (page 508). UBS (page 649) says that in this context, the imperative “Give” should be understood as a general statement about the appropriate use of alcohol. UBS suggests: “alcohol is [useful] for those who are…” However, it is also acceptable to follow interpretation (2) in your translation, especially if that is the interpretation followed in a language of wider communication.

strong drink…wine: In these two lines, the king is advised to supply intoxicating drink to people who are suffering. See the notes on 31:4a–b for the words strong drink and wine.

one who is perishing…the bitter in soul: The first phrase refers to people who are dying. The second phrase refers to people who are suffering physical pain or emotional distress. Some other ways to translate these phrases are:

someone about to die…him whose heart is heavy (NJB)

one who is dying…those struggling with life’s harsh realities (VOICE)

the dying…those who have lost all hope (CEV)

people who are dying…those who are sad (NCV)

General Comment on 31:6a–b

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

Kings should give beer and wine to the dying or to those who have lost all hope.Adapted from the CEV.

31:6a

Give strong drink to one who is perishing,

In contrast, kings should give beer to people who are dying.
Rather, you kings ought to give intoxicating drinks to people who expect to die soon.

31:6b

and wine to the bitter in soul.

They should give wine to people who suffer severe pain and sadness.
Provide^(plur) wine to people who have no hope.

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / genericnoun

לְ⁠אוֹבֵ֑ד

to,[one_who_is]_perishing

Here, the perishing one refers to dying people in general, not a specific person. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a more natural expression. Alternate translation: “to any perishing person”

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / ellipsis

וְ֝⁠יַיִן

and,wine

Lemuel’s mother is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You could supply these words from the previous clause if it would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “and give wine”

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

לְ⁠מָ֣רֵי נָֽפֶשׁ

to_[people],bitter_of soul

Here, Lemuel’s mother refers to people who feel miserable as if their souls are bitter. Here, soul refers to a person’s inner being or mind, as in [23:7](../23/07.md). If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “to those who are miserable”

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 31:6

Hebrew word order