PROV 18:19 Parallel Verse View

Note: This view shows ‘verses’ which are not natural language units and hence sometimes only part of a sentence will be visible—click on any Bible version abbreviation down the left-hand side to see the verse in more of its context. Normally the OET discourages the reading of individual ‘verses’, but this view is only designed as a tool for doing comparisons of different translations—the older translations are further down the page (so you can read up from the bottom to trace the English translation history). The OET segments on this page are still very early looks into the unfinished texts of the Open English Translation of the Bible—please double-check these texts in advance before using in public.

Text critical issues=small word differences Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=normal (All still tentative.)

OET (OET-RV) Someone who’s offended is as approachable as a fortified city,
⇔ ≈ and quarrels are like the bars on a fortress.

18:19 OSHB variant note: ו/מדונים: (x-qere) ’וּ֝/מִדְיָנִ֗ים’: lemma_c/4079 n_0.0 morph_HC/Ncmpa id_205EL וּ֝/מִדְיָנִ֗ים

Key: khaki:verbs.
Note: Automatic aligning of the OET-RV to the LV is done by some temporary software, hence the OET-RV alignments are incomplete (and may occasionally be wrong).

BrLXX Ἀδελφὸς ὑπὸ ἀδελφοῦ βοηθούμενος, ὡς πόλις ὀχυρὰ καὶ ὑψηλὴ, ἰσχύει δὲ ὥσπερ τεθεμελιωμένον βασίλειον.
(Adelfos hupo adelfou boaʸthoumenos, hōs polis oⱪura kai hupsaʸlaʸ, isⱪuei de hōsper tethemeliōmenon basileion. )

BrTr A brother helped by a brother is as a strong and high city; and is as strong as a well-founded palace.

ULT A brother offended is more than a city of strength,
⇔ and quarrels are like the gate bar of a fortress.

UST It is more difficult to reconcile with a relative whom you have offended than to conquer a fortified city;
⇔ and when people argue, they avoid each other as if a castle’s strong gate were between them.

OEB No OEB PROV book available

WEBBE A brother offended is more difficult than a fortified city.
⇔ Disputes are like the bars of a fortress.

WMBB (Same as above)

NET A relative offended is harder to reach than a strong city,
⇔ and disputes are like the barred gates of a fortified citadel.

LSV A brother transgressed against is as a strong city,
And contentions as the bar of a palace.

FBV A brother you've offended is harder to win back than a fortified town.[fn] Arguments keep people apart like bars on the doors of a fortress.

18:19 The meaning of the Hebrew is unclear.

T4T ⇔ If you help relatives, they will protect you like [SIM] a strong wall protects a city,
⇔ but if you quarrel with them, that will separate you from them like bars on a city gate separate the city from those who want to enter it [MET].

LEB • A brother who is offended is worse than a city of strength, and quarrels are like the bars of a fortification.

BBE A brother wounded is like a strong town, and violent acts are like a locked tower.

Moff A man backed by his brother is in a strong position
⇔ as well placed as a powerful citadel.

JPS A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city; and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.

ASV A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city;
⇔ And such contentions are like the bars of a castle.

DRA A brother that is helped by his brother, is like a strong city: and judgments are like the bars of cities.

YLT A brother transgressed against is as a strong city, And contentions as the bar of a palace.

Drby A brother offended is [harder to be won] than a strong city; and contentions are as the bars of a palace.

RV A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and such contentions are like the bars of a castle.

SLT A brother falling away, above a city of strength; and strifes as the bars of a fortress.

Wbstr A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.

KJB-1769 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.

KJB-1611 A brother offended is harder to be wonne then a strong citie: and their contentions are like the barres of a castle.
(A brother offended is harder to be won then a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.)

Bshps Brethren beyng at variaunce are harder to be wonne then a strong citie, and their contentions are like the barre of a castell.
(Brethren being at variance are harder to be won then a strong city, and their contentions are like the bar of a castle.)

Gnva A brother offended is harder to winne then a strong citie, and their contentions are like the barre of a palace.
(A brother offended is harder to win then a strong city, and their contentions are like the bar of a palace. )

Cvdl The vnite of brethren is stronger then a castell, and they that holde together are like the barre of a palace.
(The unite of brethren/brothers is stronger then a castle, and they that hold together are like the bar of a palace.)

Wycl A brother that is helpid of a brothir, is as a stidfast citee; and domes ben as the barris of citees.
(A brother that is helpid of a brother, is as a steadfast city; and judgements been as the bars of cities.)

Luth Ein verletzter Bruder hält härter denn eine feste Stadt; und Zank hält härter denn Riegel am Palast.
(A injureder brother holds harder because/than a/one fixed city; and quarrel(n) holds harder because/than bars in/at/on_the palace.)

ClVg Frater qui adjuvatur a fratre quasi civitas firma, et judicia quasi vectes urbium.[fn]
(Frater who/which adyuvatur from brother as_if city firma, and judgements as_if bars of_cities. )

18.19 Frater qui adjuvatur. Cum populus Judæorum et gentium, etc., usque ad ab infidelium incursione defendunt.

18.19 Frater who/which adyuvatur. Since the_people Yudahorum and nations, etc., until to away of_infidels incursione defendunt.

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 10:1–22:16: This is the main collection of Solomon’s proverbs

This section is the main collection of Solomon’s proverbs. It has a very different structure from the longer poetic lectures of chapters 1–9. It consists mostly of individual couplets (two-line poems) that are each one verse in length. With the exception of the title (10:1a), paragraph breaks will not be indicated in the Notes or Display. You may of course choose to start each proverb as a separate paragraph in your translation.

In chapters 10–15, most of these one-verse couplets express a contrast between the two lines. One of the more common contrasts is between the righteous/wise and the wicked/foolish and the different consequences of their conduct.

In chapters 16:1–22:16, more topics are discussed. There is more emphasis on the role of the king and other leaders. In these chapters, there are few proverbs with contrasting lines. Some of the parallel lines are similar in meaning. More frequently, the second line adds to what the first line says or gives an example. Most of the verses have no obvious connection with the previous or following proverbs.UBS (page 214), Fox (page 509), McKane (page 413). Many scholars, including McKane, point out that there are some topical groupings as well as poetic connections. These include the repetition of certain words or sounds. This observation does not deny the individual nature of most of the proverbs in this Section.

Two of the types of proverbs in this section are not found in chapters 1–9. One type contains logical reasoning from the lesser to the greater. See 11:31 for a list of these proverbs. There are also several varieties of complex “better than” proverbs. The most common have a contrasting situation in each line (see 12:9). For other varieties, see 16:16, 19:1, and 21:9.

Many of the proverbs in this section refer to categories of people who share a common trait. For example, they refer to the righteous, the wise, the poor, and the lazy. In Hebrew, some verses use singular forms to refer to these groups of people. Other verses use plural forms. Still others use a combination of singular and plural. See the note on 10:30a–b for one example. For most of these verses, the Notes will not comment on the difference between singular and plural forms. Use a natural way in your language to refer to one or more people who are in the same category.

Many of the proverbs in this section express a general principle in abstract terms. They are not addressed specifically to the readers. For example, 10:2a–b says:

Ill-gotten treasures are of no value,

but righteousness delivers from death.

However, the author intended his readers to understand these proverbs as advice that they should follow. In some languages, authors or speakers give advice more directly, using pronouns such as you^(sing), you^(plur), we^(dual), or we^(incl). See the note on 10:2 for translation suggestions.

Some other headings for this section are:

Proverbs of Solomon (NIV)

The Wise Words of Solomon (NCV)

Here are many wise things that Solomon said

18:19

Notice the parallel parts that are similar in meaning:

^19a An offended brother is harder to win than a fortified city,

^19band disputes are like the bars of a castle.

The overall meaning is that it is difficult to restore a close relationship that has been broken as a result of a quarrel. The hard feelings that result from a quarrel are like the high walls and barred gates that prevent people from entering a city.

18:19a

An offended brother is harder to win than a fortified city,

It is more difficult to regain the friendship of a brother/fellowman that you^(sing) have offended than it is for you to capture a city with a strong stone wall.
It is hard to approach and enter a walled city. It is even harder to approach a brother/friend if you have hurt his feelings.

An offended brother is harder to win than a fortified city: There is a textual issue in this clause:

The Masoretic Text has: “A brother offended…” This text compares an offended brother to a strong city that no one can enter. This comparison and the comparison in 18:19b both have undesirable meanings. So English versions connect the two verse parts with the word “and.” For example:
^19aA brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city, ^19band quarrelling… (ESV) (BSB, CEV, ESV, GW, KJV, NASB, NCV, NJB, NJPS, NIV, NLT, NRSV, REB)
The LXX, Syriac, Vulgate, and Targum have: “A brother helped…” This text compares a brother that has been helped to a strong city that offers protection. This comparison has a desirable meaning. The comparison in 18:19b has an undesirable meaning. So English versions connect the two verse parts with the word “but.” For example:
^19aA brother helped is like a strong city,
^19b but quarreling is like the bars of a castle. (RSV) (RSV, GNT)The NAB also has “A brother helped…” in 18:19a, but it has “a friend” instead of “quarreling” in 18:19b, so it connects the two verse parts with “and.” This change is different from both the MT and the LXX.

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

This clause is a metaphor. It compares a brother that has been offended or sinned against to a city with high, strong walls. The Hebrew text is literally “A brother offended more than a strong city.” Some ways that an offended brother is similar to a strong city are:

Their defenses cannot be broken down.
They are isolated from others.
It is difficult to approach them.

When you translate this metaphor, you will need to make one or more of the similarities explicit, as the BSB and other versions have done. For example:

A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city (NASB)

An offended brother is more resistant than a strong city (GW)

brother: In this context, the word that the BSB translates as brother may also refer to other close relationships.Longman (page 359), Waltke (page 84). For example:

friend (NLT)

relative (NET)

It is implied that the offended brother or friend was involved in the “disputes” mentioned in 18:19b.

18:19b

and disputes are like the bars of a castle.

Indeed, arguments separate people like a gate that is locked with an iron bolt.
When people have quarreled like this, it is like they are on opposite sides of a gate that cannot be opened.

and disputes are like the bars of a castle: This is a simile. It compares disputes or quarrels to strong iron bars or bolts. These bars fasten the gates of a strongly fortified place, such as a castle or fortress. Some ways that they are similar are:

Both quarrels and bars create barriers between people.
These barriers are difficult to break down or break through.

Some ways to translate this simile are:

General Comment on 18:19a–b

Leave the similarity implied. For example:
such strife is like the bars of a fortress (NJPS)
and quarreling is like the locked bolt on the gate of a castle
Make the similarity explicit. For example:
Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with bars. (NLT)

In some languages, it may be more natural to combine the parallel lines. For example:

Making up with a friend you have offended is harder than breaking through a city wall. (CEV)

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

אָ֗ח

brother

Here, brother refers to any relative or close friend. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “A relative”

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / ellipsis

מִ⁠קִּרְיַת־עֹ֑ז

[is]_more,than_a_town_of fortified

Solomon is leaving out a word that in many languages a clause would need in order to be complete. You could supply this word from the context if it would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “is more unyielding than a city of strength” or “is more difficult to approach than a city of strength”

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

מִ⁠קִּרְיַת־עֹ֑ז

[is]_more,than_a_town_of fortified

Here Solomon is using the possessive form to describe a city that is characterized by strength. If your language would not use the possessive form for this, you could use a different expression. Alternate translation: “is more than a strong city”

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

ו⁠מדונים

and,contentions

See how you translated the abstract noun quarrels in [6:14](../06/14.md).

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / simile

כִּ⁠בְרִ֥יחַ אַרְמֽוֹן

[are]_like_[the],bar_of citadel

This could mean: (1) quarrels cause people to stay away from each other as though a bar blocking the gate of a fortress were between them. Alternate translation: “separate people” (2) resolving quarrels is as difficult as trying to enter a fortress that has a bar across its gate. Alternate translation: “are very difficult to resolve”

Note 6 topic: translate-unknown

כִּ⁠בְרִ֥יחַ

[are]_like_[the],bar_of

A gate bar was a large piece of metal or wood that was placed across a gate in order to make the gate difficult to break down or open. If your readers would not be familiar with this type of bar, you could use the name of something similar in your area or you could use a more general term. Alternate translation: “are like the bar placed across the gate of”

Parallel PROV 18:19

Section 10:1–22:16: This is the main collection of Solomon’s proverbs

18:19

18:19a

18:19b

General Comment on 18:19a–b