PROV 18:4 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=none Clarity of original=clear Importance to us=important (All still tentative.)

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 Ὕδωρ βαθὺ λόγος ἐν καρδίᾳ ἀνδρὸς, ποταμὸς δὲ ἀναπηδύει καὶ πηγὴ ζωῆς.
(Hudōr bathu logos en kardia andros, potamos de anapaʸduei kai paʸgaʸ zōaʸs. )

BrTr A word in the heart of a man is a deep water, and a river and fountain of life spring forth.

ULT The words of the mouth of a man are deep waters;
⇔ a fountain of wisdom is a gushing stream.

UST What wise people say is as profound as a deep ocean.
⇔ Wise people are always saying wise things, like a fountain that flows in a constant stream.

OEB No OEB PROV book available

WEBBE The words of a man’s mouth are like deep waters.
⇔ The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.

WMBB (Same as above)

NET The words of a person’s mouth are like deep waters,
⇔ and the fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.

LSV The words of a man’s mouth [are] deep waters,
The fountain of wisdom [is] a flowing brook.

FBV People's words can be profound like deep waters, a gushing stream that is the source of wisdom.

T4T ⇔ What wise people say is like a deep ocean that you can never get to the bottom of [MET],
⇔ and it refreshes us like water from a rapidly flowing stream.

LEB • Deep waters are words of the mouth of a man; a gushing stream is a fountain of wisdom.

BBE The words of a man's mouth are like deep waters: the fountain of wisdom is like a flowing stream.

Moff The words of wise men are a deep pool,
⇔ a flowing stream, a fountain of life.

JPS The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters; a flowing brook, a fountain of wisdom.

ASV The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters;
⇔ The wellspring of wisdom is as a flowing brook.

DRA Words from the mouth of a men are as deep water: and the fountain of wisdom as an overflowing stream.

YLT Deep waters [are] the words of a man's mouth, The fountain of wisdom [is] a flowing brook.

Drby The words of a man's mouth are deep waters, [and] the fountain of wisdom is a gushing brook.

RV The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters; the wellspring of wisdom is as a flowing brook.

SLT Deep waters are the words of man’s mouth, the fountain of wisdom a gushing stream.

Wbstr The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the well-spring of wisdom as a flowing brook.

KJB-1769 The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.

KJB-1611 The words of a mans mouth, are as deepe waters, and the well-spring of wisedome as a flowing brooke.
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from punctuation)

Bshps The wordes of a wyse mans mouth are lyke deepe waters: and the well of wisdome is like a full streame.
(The words of a wise mans mouth are like deep waters: and the well of wisdom is like a full stream.)

Gnva The words of a mans mouth are like deepe waters, and the welspring of wisdome is like a flowing riuer.
(The words of a mans mouth are like deep waters, and the welspring of wisdom is like a flowing river. )

Cvdl The wordes of a mas mouth are like depe waters, and the well of wy?dome is like a full streame.
(The words of a man’s mouth are like deep waters, and the well of wisdom is like a full stream.)

Wycl Deep watir is the wordis of the mouth of a man; and a stronde fletinge ouer is the welle of wisdom.
(Deep water is the words of the mouth of a man; and a stream/river fletinge over is the well of wisdom.)

Luth Die Worte in eines Munde sind wie tiefe Wasser, und die Quelle der Weisheit ist ein voller Strom.
(The words in one/a mouth are as/like depth water, and the source/spring(n) the/of_the wise_(people) is a fuller Strom.)

ClVg Aqua profunda verba ex ore viri, et torrens redundans fons sapientiæ.[fn]
(Aqua deep words from vocally men, and torrent redundans source/spring of_wisdom. )

18.4 Aqua profunda. Quia Dominus et apostoli palam utriusque Testamenti sacramenta mundo reserabant, de quibus subdit: Et torrens redundans fons sapientiæ. Aqua profunda, id est, verba sapientium lavant mentes et rigant, ne peccatorum sorde deformes remaneant aut ariditate deficiant.

18.4 Aqua deep. Because Master and apostles openly of_both Testamenti sacraments to_the_world reserabant, from/about to_whom I_submit: And torrent redundans source/spring of_wisdom. Aqua deep, that it_is, words wise lavant minds and rigant, not of_sins/sinners sorde deformes remaneant or ariditate deficiant.

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

18:4

^4a The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters,

^4b the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.

In Hebrew, there is no conjunction, such as “and,” connecting 18:4a and 18:4b. There are also no verbs (“are/is”). There are at least two ways to interpret the parallel lines along with the two metaphors:

Verse 18:4b continues the thought of 18:4a. Both lines describe the words of wise people. Their words are both profound (“deep waters”) and plentiful (“flowing brook”). For example:
The words of a person’s mouth are like deep waters, and the fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook. (NET) (BSB, CEV, KJV, NET, NJB, NLT, GNT)
Verse 18:4b contrasts with 18:4a. Verse 18:4a describes the words of an average person. His words are obscure and hard to understand (“deep water”).This interpretation of the metaphor “deep water” is suggested by Cohen (page 118). Waltke similarly argues that the word “man/person” in 18:4a does not normally specify a wise person. He makes the point that a person’s motives are “depraved,” and that his words are therefore “unfathomable, inaccessible, nonbeneficial, and probably potentially dangerous” (2005, pages 71–72). By contrast, the words of a wise person in 18:4b are an unending source of wisdom (“bubbling brook”). For example:
The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook. (NIV) (NAB, NIV)

It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), along with most scholars.Among the scholars who support this interpretation are Ross (page 1023), Hubbard (page 272), Toy (pages 356–357), Longman (page 354), Garrett (pages 163–164), McKane (page 513), Murphy (page 133), and Fox (page 639). There are several reasons:

When parallel lines contrast, they are usually connected with a conjunction (waw). There is no conjunction here in Hebrew.
The metaphors used in this verse usually refer to the words of wise people.
The idea that the words of ordinary people are hard to understand does not fit well with other teaching in Proverbs.

See the General Comment on 18:4a–b for ways to translate the parallel lines.

18:4a

The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters;

The words that a wise person speaks are like deep water.
A wise person has many profound things to say. His words are like the deep water in a well.

The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters: This clause is a complex figure of speech. The word mouth represents the person himself. The phrase words of a man’s mouth refers to the words that a person says. It is implied from 18:4b that this person is wise.

This clause is also a metaphor. In this metaphor, The words of a man’s mouth are compared to deep waters, such as the water in a well.Most scholars understand “deep waters” to refer to the water of a well, because the same phrase occurs in 20:5 in connection with the verb “to draw up.” This phrase does not occur elsewhere in the OT. They are similar, because they are profound and full of meaning. They are also plentiful.Fox (page 639) suggests that the image of a well may imply “coolness and purity” more than profundity. Most scholars focus on the profound meaning of wise words. It is likely that the metaphor implies more than one point of similarity.

Some ways to translate this metaphor are:

Change the metaphor to a simile. For example:
Wise words are like deep waters. (NLT)
Change the metaphor to a simile and make explicit the similarity between wise words and deep water. For example:
The words of a wise person are profound. They are like the deep water in a well.

18:4a–b

(combined/reordered)

A wise person’s words are like a water source that is deep or a stream with much water.

18:4b

the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.

This source of wisdom is like a flowing stream.
They are a source of wisdom, as beneficial and refreshing as the water that flows in a stream.

the fountain of wisdom: This phrase is a metaphor. It compares the words of a wise person to a spring or other source of plentiful water. The GNT translates this phrase without using a figure of speech. It has:

a source of wisdom

A similar phrase “fountain of life” occurs in 10:11a.

a bubbling brook: In Hebrew, this phrase usually refers to a stream or wadi that gushes with swiftly flowing water in the rainy season. But it becomes a dry stream bed in the dry season.TWOT (#1343a) “wadi, torrent.” NIDOTTE (H5707): The meaning of this word “applies to a rushing torrent or a flowing stream, rather than to a deeper, steadier river. It would be a wonderful, but temporary, provision of fresh water that could be collected in cisterns.”

In this context, the point of this metaphor is that wise words are like a plentiful supply of fresh water. They are a great blessing. There is no emphasis here on the temporary nature of the stream. Other ways to translate this phrase are:

a gushing torrent (REB)

an overflowing stream (GW)

General Comment on 18:4a–b

There are several acceptable ways to understand the relationship between the metaphors in these two lines:

The metaphors occur in two parallel clauses, as in the NET (quoted above). If it is natural in your language, you may omit the conjunction, as in the Hebrew. For example:
Wise words are like deep waters;
wisdom flows from the wise like a bubbling brook. (NLT)
The three metaphors occur in a single clause. They all refer to the words of a wise person. For example:
The words a man speaks are deep waters,
a flowing stream, a fountain of wisdom. (NJPS)
The metaphors overlap in meaning. In some languages, it may be better to combine and/or reorder the two lines. For example:
Words of wisdom are a stream that flows from a deep fountain. (CEV)
A person’s words can be a source of wisdom, deep as the ocean, fresh as a flowing stream. (GNT)

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

דִּבְרֵ֣י פִי־אִ֑ישׁ

words_of mouth_of (a)_man

This phrase refers to the words that a man says by using his mouth. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “The words that a man says with his mouth”

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

דִּבְרֵ֣י פִי־אִ֑ישׁ

words_of mouth_of (a)_man

The second clause indicates that Solomon is referring to wise words spoken by a wise man. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state this explicitly. Alternate translation: “The wise words of the mouth of a wise man”

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / genericnoun

פִי־אִ֑ישׁ

mouth_of (a)_man

Here, the mouth and a man represent mouths and people in general, not one particular mouth and man. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use a more natural expression. Alternate translation: “the mouths of people”

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

מַ֣יִם עֲ֭מֻקִּים

waters deep

Here Solomon speaks of a wise man’s words being profound as if they were deep waters. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the meaning plainly or use a simile. Alternate translation: “are profound” or “are deep like deep waters”

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

מְק֣וֹר חָכְמָֽה

fountain_of wisdom

Here Solomon is using the possessive form to describe a fountain that gives wisdom. If your language would not use the possessive form for this, you could use a different expression. Alternate translation: “a fountain that gives wisdom”

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

מְק֣וֹר חָכְמָֽה

fountain_of wisdom

Here Solomon speaks of a wise person being a source of wisdom as if he were a fountain. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the meaning plainly or use a simile. Alternate translation: “a wise person is a source of wisdom and” or “a wise person is like a fountain of wisdom and”

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

חָכְמָֽה

wisdom

See how you translated the abstract noun wisdom in [1:2](../01/02.md).

Note 8 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

נַ֥חַל נֹ֝בֵ֗עַ

brook bubbling