PROV 8:15 Interlinear View

SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 8:1–36: Wisdom calls out to people and reminds them of the benefits of being wise

In contrast to the previous section describing the adulterous woman, this section describes personified Wisdom. The public setting for Wisdom’s speech is described in 8:1–3. In 8:4–11, she addresses all mankind and describes her own character. In 8:12–21, she provides reasons why people should choose her. Additional motivation is given in 8:22–31: Wisdom was with the LORD when he created the world. The section ends with Wisdom appealing to mankind to follow her teaching (8:32–36).

This section is a speech by personified Wisdom. As in Wisdom’s speech in 1:20–33, the Notes have used a capital letter for Wisdom in most verses. However, in her speech, Wisdom sometimes refers to “wisdom” as an ability that people have or use or should try to obtain. In some of these contexts, the Notes have used small letters for “wisdom.” The Display will often give more than one option. You may use either option in your language, depending on what is appropriate in each context.

Some other headings for this section are:

Wisdom’s Call (NIV)

Listen to Wisdom (NCV)

The good qualities of Wisdom

Wisdom’s second invitation to people

Paragraph 8:12–21

After again identifying herself and the qualities that she is associated with (12–13), Wisdom describes why people should choose her. They should choose her because she is the basis of an orderly society (14–16). She is also the source of wealth and other benefits to those who seek and find her (17–21).

8:15

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

^15aBy me kings reign,

^15band rulers enact just laws;

There is an ellipsis in 8:15b. In some languages, it may be necessary to supply the missing words. For example:

^15band by me rulers enact just laws;

8:15a

By me kings reign,

It is through me that kings rule effectively
It is I who help/enable kings to rule their people.

By me kings reign: It is by means of wisdom that kings rule their countries. Other ways to express this relationship are:

It is I who help kings to rule

I am what kings use in governing their people

Since this line is parallel to “rulers enact just laws,” the idea of reigning “well” or “effectively” is implied.

kings: See the note on 1:1.

8:15a–b

(combined/reordered)

It is I who help kings and other leaders to rule their people and to make good/just laws.

8:15b

and rulers enact just laws;

and rulers make just/fair laws.
I also help those who rule to make/enact good/just laws.

and rulers enact just laws: The word rulers is a general term that refers to people who exercise leadership in government.

General Comment on 8:15a–b

In some languages, it may be more natural to combine and/or reorder the parallel parts. See the Display for 8:15a–b (combined/reordered).

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / ellipsis

וְ֝⁠רוֹזְנִ֗ים יְחֹ֣קְקוּ צֶֽדֶק

and,rulers decree what_is_just

Wisdom is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a clause 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 by me dignitaries decree righteousness] or [and by what is wise dignitaries decree righteousness]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

צֶֽדֶק

what_is_just

See how you translated the abstract noun righteousness in [1:3](../01/03.md).

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 8:15

Hebrew word order