PROV 6:14 Interlinear View

6:14 OSHB variant note: מדנים: (x-qere) ’מִדְיָנִ֥ים’: lemma_4066 morph_HNcmpa id_20EG9 מִדְיָנִ֥ים

SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 6:1–19: Here are several practical admonitions and warnings

This section contains practical warnings about four specific and unrelated areas of behavior. The first warning is about the danger of cosigning a loan for another person (6:1–5). The second paragraph speaks highly of the diligence of the ant and warns against laziness (6:6–11). The third paragraph briefly describes the behavior of a worthless scoundrel (6:12–15). The last paragraph is in the form of a numerical proverb and lists seven sins that the LORD hates (6:16–19).

Some other headings for this section are:

More Warnings (GNT)

Dangers of Being Foolish (NCV)

Warnings Against Folly (NIV)

Paragraph 6:12–15

The first two terms in 6:12a are synonymously parallel. They identify the kind of person that is described in this paragraph. The next six terms or phrases in 6:12b–14b are also parallel. They describe the behavior of this person in more detail.The NIV and NJB distinguish 6:14b as the main clause of 6:12b–14b, telling what this kind of person does. Although the verbal descriptive phrases in 6:12b–14a are all participles as opposed to 6:14b, which is a finite verb, and although Toy (page 125) mentions a translation such as NIV as a possibility, other versions and scholars all seem to understand the six phrases as equally describing the person identified in 6:12a. The paragraph concludes in 6:15 with a description of his punishment.

6:14a–b

^14a With deceit in his heart he devises evil; ^14bhe continually sows discord: There are two ways to interpret the structure of this verse:

Verse 6:14b is one of six expressions (6:12b–14b) that describe the scoundrel. For example:
^14band are always starting arguments (NCV) (RSV, REB, NASB, ESV, NET, GNT, CEV, GW, NCV)
Verse 6:14b describes the main activity or purpose of the scoundrel, who is described in 6:12b–14a. For example:
^14aTrickery in his heart, always scheming evil,
^14bhe sows dissension. (NJB) (BSB, NIV, NJB)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), along with most versions and scholars.

6:14a

With deceit in his heart he devises evil;

Their minds are crooked/deceitful, so they make plans to commit evil deeds.
They plan to harm others, because their minds/hearts are treacherous and evil.

With deceit in his heart he devises evil: In Hebrew, the phrase With deceit in his heart is literally “overturnings in his heart.” It refers to the evil, trickery, or deceitfulness that is in a person’s mind or heart. Remember that in Hebrew, the heart refers primarily to a person’s ability to think and make decisions. See the notes on heart in 2:2a–b and 4:4a.

A person who devises evil makes evil plans that will cause harm to someone. Other ways to translate this line are:

They make evil plans in their hearts (NCV)

He devises evil…with a twisted mind (GW)

6:14b

he continually sows discord.

They are always starting arguments.
They always cause people to quarrel.

he continually sows discord: The word discord refers to quarrels or misunderstandings between people. The meaning of this phrase can be expressed as:

stir up trouble constantly (NLT96)

always starting arguments (NCV)

General Comment on 6:12–14

The Hebrews believed that the eye was the entrance to a person’s will, which was located in the heart. The hands and feet carried out the desires of the will, and the mouth expressed what was in the person’s thoughts and will. Together, these three areas of the body (heart and eyes, mouth, hands and feet) imply that the wicked person’s entire personality was evil. These three areas of the body also occur in the next paragraph.

You may want to add a footnote that supplies this information, since many readers will not be aware of these implications.

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-time-simultaneous

תַּֽהְפֻּכ֨וֹת ׀ בְּ⁠לִבּ֗⁠וֹ חֹרֵ֣שׁ רָ֣ע בְּ⁠כָל־עֵ֑ת

perversity [are]_in,heart_of,his fabricating evil in=all times

These two clauses are describing two situations that are occurring at the same time. You can make this clear in your translation with an appropriate connecting word or phrase. Alternate translation: “Perverse things are in his heart while he plots evil on every occasion”

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / gendernotations

בְּ⁠לִבּ֗⁠וֹ & יְשַׁלֵּֽחַ

[are]_in,heart_of,his & stirs_up

Although the terms his and he are masculine, Solomon is using the words in a generic sense that includes both men and women. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use phrases that make this clear. Alternate translation: “are in that person’s heart … that person sends forth”

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

בְּ⁠לִבּ֗⁠וֹ

[are]_in,heart_of,his

See how you translated the same use of heart in [2:2](../02/02.md).

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

רָ֣ע

evil

See how you translated the abstract noun evil in [1:16](../01/16.md).

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

מדנים יְשַׁלֵּֽחַ

discord stirs_up

Here Solomon speaks of quarrels as if they were objects that a person sends forth. He means that this person causes other people to quarrel. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “he causes people to quarrel”

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

6:14 OSHB variant note: מדנים: (x-qere) ’מִדְיָנִ֥ים’: lemma_4066 morph_HNcmpa id_20EG9 מִדְיָנִ֥ים

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 6:14