PROV 8:18 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).

8:18

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning.

^18aWith me are riches and honor,

^18b enduring wealth and righteousness.

There is an ellipsis in 8:18b. In some languages, it may be necessary to supply the missing words. For example:

^18b with me are enduring wealth and righteousness.

8:18a

With me are riches and honor,

I am the source of wealth and honor.
I can make you^(plur) rich and also respected,

With me are riches and honor: This verse refers to the benefits that wisdom offers to those who seek and love her. It does not refer to the qualities that wisdom possesses. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

I have riches and honor to give (GNT)

Unending riches, honor…are mine to distribute (NLT96)

The word honor also means “respect” or “good reputation.” If it is not natural to express riches and honor as nouns in your language, another way to translate them is:

I can make you rich and famous. (CEV)

The “riches” and “wealth” in this verse refer to material things and not to spiritual riches.

8:18a–b

(combined/reordered)

To such people I give lasting wealth and honor/respect. I also help them to live according to God’s laws.

8:18b

enduring wealth and righteousness.

I cause people to be continually wealthy/rich and righteous/just.
always prosperous and doing what is right.

enduring wealth: The word wealth means the same thing as “riches” in 8:18a. Here it is described as being enduring, “lasting” (NJB), or “unending” (NLT).

righteousness: There are two main ways to interpret the Hebrew word that the BSB translates as righteousness:Another interpretation is that “riches and righteousness” is a hendiadys meaning “riches that are gained righteously” (Fox, page 278), but this view is not followed by any of the English versions.

The word has its usual meaning here of “righteousness” or “justice.”The Hebrew word that is used here is the feminine form ṣǝdaqah. The masculine form of the same root, ṣedeq, has the same meaning. See the note on this word at 1:3b. It is not a figure of speech. For example:
saving justice (NJB) (BSB, NJB, NASB, ESV, NET, GW, NLT)
The word is used here as a figure of speech (metonymy). It refers to the reward for righteousness. This reward is prosperity or success. For example:
success (GNT) (NAB, NIV, NRSV, REB, NJPS, GNT, CEV, NCV)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), along with most scholars. There are several reasons:The interpretation of “righteousness/justice” is supported by McKane, Whybray, Kidner, Garrett, Murphy, Scott, and Delitzsch. BDB (#6666) lists this verse under the category “righteousness of people, as vindicated = prosperity.” However, all of the eight usages of ṣedaqah given in TWOT (#1879b) have to do with righteousness or justice. The interpretation of “prosperity/success” is supported by Toy and Hubbard.

The word is almost always used in a moral sense.
In Proverbs, there is a close connection between wealth and moral righteousness (see 8:20–21). So it is not necessary to propose an unusual meaning for righteousness because of the parallel with “riches” in this verse.
Although success may indeed result from righteous conduct, it is not the same thing as righteous conduct. To translate this as “success” seems to omit a step in the logic.

If your readers are likely to compare your translation with a version that has “success” or “prosperity,” it is suggested that you:

General Comment on 8:18a–b

Make explicit the relationship between righteousness and success. For example:
I give people lasting wealth and the success that comes from a righteous way of life.
Put “righteousness” in your translation, but add a footnote that says something like:
This Hebrew word usually means “righteousness,” but some scholars think that here it refers to the result of righteous behavior, which is success or prosperity.

In some languages, it may be more natural to combine and/or reorder the parallel parts that are similar in meaning. See the Display for 8:18a–b (combined/reordered).

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

עֹֽשֶׁר־וְ⁠כָב֥וֹד אִתִּ֑⁠י

riches and,honor [are]_with,me

Here, Wisdom speaks of enabling people to have Riches, honor, surpassing wealth, and righteousness as if they were objects that were with Wisdom. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I enable you to have riches, honor, surpassing wealth, and righteousness” or “What is wise enables you to have riches, honor, surpassing wealth, and righteousness”

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / ellipsis

ה֥וֹן עָ֝תֵ֗ק וּ⁠צְדָקָֽה

wealth enduring and,righteousness

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: “surpassing wealth and righteousness are with me” or “surpassing wealth and righteousness are with what is wise”

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

וְ⁠כָב֥וֹד & וּ⁠צְדָקָֽה

and,honor & and,righteousness

See how you translated the abstract nouns honor in [3:16](../03/16.md) and 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 8:18

Hebrew word order