UTN uW Translation Notes:

Proverbs 1 General Notes

Structure and Formatting

1. Introduction and purpose for Proverbs (1:1–7) * Title (1:1) * The purpose of Proverbs (1:2–6) * Main theme: Fearing Yahweh is essential to being wise (1:7)2. A father teaches his son about wisdom (1:8–9:18) * Avoid evil companions (1:8–19) * Do not reject wisdom (1:20–33)

Translation Issues in This Chapter

Personification

In 1:20–33, Solomon speaks of wisdom as if it were a person, specifically, as if it were a woman, because the word “wisdom” is grammatically feminine in Hebrew. In languages where it makes sense for a woman figure to represent an abstract concept like wisdom, the translator can translate the personification directly. If this does not work in your language because the word “wisdom” is grammatically masculine, consider personifying wisdom as a man. If it does not work in your language to represent an abstract concept like wisdom as a person, consider translating these personifications as similes instead. In that case, wisdom would be presented as being like a wise person. Alternatively, consider translating these passages without using figurative language, as in the UST. (See: figs-personification)