PROV 23:5 Parallel Verse View

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

OET (OET-RV) You glance at wealth then it’ll be gone,
⇔ because it’ll make wings for itself and fly away into the sky like an eagle.

23:5 OSHB variant note: ה/תעוף: (x-qere) ’הֲ/תָ֤עִיף’: lemma_i/5774 a morph_HTi/Vhi2ms id_20Tsm הֲ/תָ֤עִיף

23:5 OSHB variant note: ו/עיף: (x-qere) ’יָע֥וּף’: lemma_5774 a morph_HVqi3ms id_2017A יָע֥וּף

Key: khaki:verbs, red:negative.
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 Ἐὰν ἐπιστήσῃς τὸ σὸν ὄμμα πρὸς αὐτὸν, οὐδαμοῦ φανεῖται· κατεσκεύασται γὰρ αὐτῷ πτέρυγες ὥσπερ ἀετοῦ, καὶ ὑποστρέφει εἰς τὸν οἶκον τοῦ προεστηκότος αὐτοῦ.
(Ean epistaʸsaʸs to son omma pros auton, oudamou faneitai; kateskeuastai gar autōi pteruges hōsper aetou, kai hupostrefei eis ton oikon tou proestaʸkotos autou. )

BrTr If thou shouldest fix thine eye upon him, he will disappear; for wings like an eagle's are prepared for him, and he returns to the house of his master.

ULT Will you cause your eyes to fly to it, but it is not there?
⇔ For making, it will make wings for itself;
⇔ like an eagle, it will fly into the sky.

UST As soon as you look at that wealth, it will surely be gone!
⇔ This is because wealth certainly disappears quickly as if it had wings
⇔ and flew off into the sky like a fast bird.

BSB When you glance [at wealth], it disappears,
⇔ for it makes wings for itself
⇔ and flies like an eagle to the sky.

OEB No OEB PROV book available

WEBBE Why do you set your eyes on that which is not?
⇔ For it certainly sprouts wings like an eagle and flies in the sky.

WMBB (Same as above)

NET When you gaze upon riches, they are gone,
⇔ for they surely make wings for themselves,
⇔ and fly off into the sky like an eagle!

LSV For wealth makes wings to itself,
It flies to the heavens as an eagle.

FBV It disappears in the blink of an eye, suddenly growing wings and flying off into the sky like an eagle.

T4T because as soon as you look [MTY] at all the money that you have acquired, it will be gone;
⇔ it will disappear as if it suddenly grew wings [SIM]
⇔ and flew up into the sky like an eagle.

LEB • Your eyes will alight[fn] on it, but there is nothing to it, for suddenly it will make for itself wings
• like an eagle and it will be exhausted in the heavens.

23:? Literally “cause to fly”

BBE Are your eyes lifted up to it? it is gone: for wealth takes to itself wings, like an eagle in flight up to heaven.

Moff wealth is no sooner seen than gone,
⇔ it makes wings for itself
⇔ like an eagle flying skyward.

JPS Wilt thou set thine eyes upon it? it is gone; for riches certainly make themselves wings, like an eagle that flieth toward heaven.

ASV Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not?
⇔ For riches certainly make themselves wings,
⇔ Like an eagle that flieth toward heaven.

DRA Lift not up thy eyes to riches which thou canst not have: because they shall make themselves wings like those of an eagle, and shall fly towards heaven.

YLT For wealth maketh to itself wings, As an eagle it flieth to the heavens.

Drby wilt thou set thine eyes upon it, it is gone; for indeed it maketh itself wings and it flieth away as an eagle towards the heavens.

RV Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings, like an eagle that flieth toward heaven.
(Wilt/Will thou/you set thine/your eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings, like an eagle that flieth/flies toward heaven. )

SLT Wilt thou cause thine eyes to fly upon it and it is not? for making, it will make to it wings; as an eagle and it flew to the heavens.

Wbstr Wilt thou set thy eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make to themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle towards heaven.

KJB-1769 Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.[fn]
(Wilt/Will thou/you set thine/your eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven. )

23.5 set…: Heb. cause thine eyes to fly upon

KJB-1611 [fn]Wilt thou set thine eyes vpon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselues wings, they fly away as an Eagle toward heauen.
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above, apart from capitalisation and punctuation and footnotes)

23:5 Heb. wilt thou cause thine eyes to fly vpon?

Bshps Wylt thou set thyne eye vpon the thing which sodenly vanisheth away? For riches make them selues wynges, and take their flight lyke an Egle into the ayre.
(Wilt/Will thou/you set thine/your eye upon the thing which suddenly vanisheth away? For riches make themselves wings, and take their flight like an Eagle into the ayre.)

Gnva Wilt thou cast thine eyes vpon it, which is nothing? for riches taketh her to her wings, as an eagle, and flyeth into the heauen.
(Wilt/Will thou/you cast thine/your eyes upon it, which is nothing? for riches taketh/takes her to her wings, as an eagle, and flieth/flies into the heaven. )

Cvdl Why wilt thou set thine eye vpon ye thinge, which sodenly vanisheth awaye? For riches make them selues wynges, and take their flight like an Aegle in to ye ayre.
(Why wilt/will thou/you set thine/your eye upon ye/you_all thing, which suddenly vanisheth away? For riches make themselves wings, and take their flight like an Eagle in to ye/you_all ayre.)

Wycl Reise not thin iyen to richessis, whiche thou maist not haue; for tho schulen make to hem silf pennes, as of an egle, and tho schulen flee in to heuene.
(Raise not thin eyes to riches, which thou/you mayest/may not haue; for those should make to himself pennes, as of an eagle, and those should flee in to heaven.)

Luth Laß deine Augen nicht fliegen dahin, das du nicht haben kannst; denn dasselbe macht ihm Flügel wie ein Adler und fleugt gen Himmel.
(Let your eyes not fly gone, the you(sg) not have can; because/than the_same power him wing as/like a eagle(s) and flies(v) to/toward heaven.)

ClVg Ne erigas oculos tuos ad opes quas non potes habere, quia facient sibi pennas quasi aquilæ, et volabunt in cælum.
(Don't erigas the_eyes yours to wealth which not/no you_can to_have, because they_will_do to_himself pennas as_if eagles, and volabunt in/into/on the_sky. )

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 22:17–24:22: Here are thirty sayings of wise people

This section follows the main collection of Solomon’s proverbs (10:1–22:16). It differs in significant ways from this preceding section:These differences were summarized from a number of commentaries, including UBS (page 472), Waltke (2004, page 22), and Hubbard (page 351).

The preceding section has mostly two-line proverbs that are one verse in length. This section has proverbs of a different form. They are sayings that range from one to seven verses. Most of the sayings are two or three verses in length. Each saying will be marked as a separate paragraph in the Notes.
Many of the proverbs in the preceding section express a general principle. They are not addressed specifically to the readers. Most of the sayings here contain direct commands. They advise the reader or listener either to follow wise behavior or avoid foolish behavior. Most of the sayings also give a reason or motive for following the command.
As in chapters 1–9, the author addresses his reader or listener as a father who advises his son. He uses second person commands and pronouns (you^(sing)). See the note on 23:15 for a list of verses where the words “my son” occur.

Some other headings for this section are:

Thirty Wise Sayings (CEV)

Words of the Wise (ESV)

Thirty Sayings of the Wise (NIV11)

Verse 22:20 mentions “thirty sayings,” but the Hebrew text itself does not number the sayings. Some versions that use the word “thirty” in the section heading also give a number as a separate heading for each saying. The GNT and CEV start numbering the sayings at 22:22. They have a total of thirty-one paragraphs. In these versions, the first paragraph (22:17–21) serves as an introduction to the thirty sayings (22:22–24:22).Scholars who identify 22:17–21 as the first saying include Hubbard (page 352), Fox (page 707), and Waltke (2004, page 22). Scholars who identify these verses as an introduction to the sayings that follow include Whybray (page 325) and Murphy (page 170). See also the NET footnote (b) on 22:16. Whether these introductory verses form the first saying or simply introduce the following sayings, all scholars agree that they function as an introduction to the whole section. Other versions, such as the NIV, NCV, and NLT, divide the paragraphs in the same way but do not have separate headings for each section. You may use either option in your translation.The NIV11 gives a number as a separate heading for each saying. But it counts the first paragraph as the first saying, and has a total of thirty paragraphs. Other versions have more or fewer paragraphs. For example, the ESV and NRSV have fifteen paragraphs. The NJB has thirty-four. Still other versions, such as the RSV, NET, and NJPS, do not group the verses into sayings or paragraphs.

For the convenience of those who decide to identify the number of each saying in their translation, the Notes will put the number in the paragraph headings, using the same numbering system as the GNT or CEV. These numbers will not be used in the Display.

23:5

This verse gives a reason for the parallel warnings in 23:4. The overall reason is that riches can quickly disappear. Both lines contain figures of speech. In Hebrew, they both use terms that are associated with a bird that flies.

^5aWhen you glance at wealth, it disappears,

^5bfor it makes wings for itself and flies like an eagle to the sky.

23:5a

When you glance at wealth, it disappears,

If you^(sing) even look at wealth, it can disappear almost immediately,
because your money can be used up before you blink.

When you glance at wealth, it disappears: In Hebrew, this line is literally “Do your eyes fly to/on it and it does not exist.” The first part is a rhetorical question that is probably equivalent to an “if” clause. It is followed by a consequence in the last part.Waltke (page 241), Fox (page 724), and Whybray (page 332) all identify the rhetorical question in the first line as equivalent to a conditional clause. Waltke identifies the last line as a consequence.

When you glance at wealth: In Hebrew this clause contains at least two other figures of speech. The phrase “your eyes” represents the action of looking or glancing (metonymy). This phrase is also part of a metaphor in Hebrew: “your eyes fly to/on it.” It compares the young man’s eyes to a bird that flies swiftly to wealth (23:5a). Some ways to translate these figures of speech are:

Keep the figurative ideas of flying or landing. For example:
When your eyes light upon it (NRSV)
While your glance flits to it (NAB)
Translate the idea of looking or glancing without using a figure of speech. For example:
Before you can look around (REB)
Use a different figure of speech in your language. Some versions have used common English idioms. For example:
In the blink of an eye (NLT)
in a flash (GNT)

it disappears: When his eyes fly there or land there, the wealth disappears. More literally, “it ceases to exist” or “it is there no longer” (NJB). This clause is a figure of speech (hyperbole). It means that wealth can very quickly disappear or be used up. Another way to translate this clause using a hyperbole is:

wealth disappears (NLT)

When you translate 23:5a, remember that the author used figures of speech to make a vivid picture in the minds of his readers. Try to use expressions in your language that will help your readers understand and remember the meaning of the proverb.

General Comment on 23:5a

In some languages, it may be more natural to reorder and/or combine the clauses in this part of the verse. For example:

Your money flies away before you know it (CEV)

Wealth can vanish in the wink of an eye (NCV)

23:5b

for it makes wings for itself and flies like an eagle to the sky.

because it is as if it grows/sprouts wings and flies into the sky like an eagle.
It is like a bird that suddenly takes off and flies away.

for it makes wings for itself and flies like an eagle to the sky: This clause uses a complex figure of speech to explain how riches can disappear so quickly. In some languages, it will be necessary to make explicit that both parts of the clause make a comparison. For example:

as if it had grown wings and flown away like an eagle (GNT)

makes wings: In Hebrew, this phrase is an emphatic form of the verb “make.” It may emphasize that riches certainly make wings for themselves or that they make them suddenly. For example:

For wealth certainly makes itself wings (NASB)

for suddenly it sprouts wings (ESV)

Some versions do not make this verb explicitly emphatic. In some languages, it may already be implied from the context. For example:

It can seem to grow wings and fly away like an eagle. (NCV)

eagle: In Hebrew, this word can also refer to a vulture. In this context, most English versions translate it as eagle. In languages where eagles or vultures are not known, you may use a more general word, such as “bird.”

to the sky: Notice that the GNT and the NCV (both quoted above) leave the phrase to the sky implied. The BSB translates it explicitly. Use whichever option expresses the meaning most effectively and naturally in your language.

General Comment on 23:5b

Both parts of 23:5b help to explain the surprising statement in 23:4b that the riches “disappear.” The second part of 23:5b also helps to explain the metaphor of wealth that grows wings for itself.

In the BSB, this double explanation is introduced by the word “for.” In some languages, it may be natural to introduce an explanation with an explicit word, as in the BSB. For example:

for they surely make wings for themselves, and fly off into the sky like an eagle! (NET)

In other languages, it may be more natural to introduce an explanation without using an explicit word. For example:

It can seem to grow wings and fly away like an eagle. (NCV)

It will surely grow wings like an eagle, like a bird in the sky. (REB)

You should introduce this explanation in a way that is both natural and emphatic in your language.

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / rquestion

הֲתָ֤עִיף עֵינֶ֥י⁠ךָ בּ֗⁠וֹ וְֽ⁠אֵ֫ינֶ֥⁠נּוּ

(Some words not found in UHB: do,you_cause_to_fly? eyes_of,your in/on/over=him/it and=not_existing=he that/for/because/then/when to_sprout he/it_made/did for=him/it wings like,an_eagle and, the=heavens )

The writer is using the question form to emphasize how easily wealth is lost. If you would not use the question form for this purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or an exclamation. Alternate translation: “You will surely cause your eyes to fly to it, but it will not be there!”

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

הֲתָ֤עִיף עֵינֶ֥י⁠ךָ בּ֗⁠וֹ

Here, the writer speaks of someone looking at riches as if his eyes were a bird that could fly to the riches. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Will you look at it”

Note 3 topic: writing-pronouns

בּ֗⁠וֹ וְֽ⁠אֵ֫ינֶ֥⁠נּוּ & יַעֲשֶׂה־לּ֣⁠וֹ & יָע֥וּף

in/on/over=him/it and=not_existing=he & he/it_made/did for=him/it & (Some words not found in UHB: do,you_cause_to_fly? eyes_of,your in/on/over=him/it and=not_existing=he that/for/because/then/when to_sprout he/it_made/did for=him/it wings like,an_eagle and, the=heavens )

In this verse, it and itself refers to the riches mentioned in the previous verse. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state this explicitly. Alternate translation: “to the riches, but they are not there … those riches will make … for themselves … those riches will fly into”

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

וְֽ⁠אֵ֫ינֶ֥⁠נּוּ

and=not_existing=he

The writer implies that a person loses his wealth as soon as he sees it. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state this explicitly. Alternate translation: “but it is lost”

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / reduplication

עָשֹׂ֣ה יַעֲשֶׂה

to_sprout he/it_made/did

The writer is repeating the verb make in order to intensify the idea that it expresses. If your language can repeat words for intensification, it would be appropriate to do that here in your translation. If not, your language may have another way of expressing the emphasis. Alternate translation: “it will surely make”

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

עָשֹׂ֣ה יַעֲשֶׂה־לּ֣⁠וֹ כְנָפַ֑יִם כְּ֝⁠נֶ֗שֶׁר יָע֥וּף הַ⁠שָּׁמָֽיִם

to_sprout he/it_made/did for=him/it wings like,an_eagle (Some words not found in UHB: do,you_cause_to_fly? eyes_of,your in/on/over=him/it and=not_existing=he that/for/because/then/when to_sprout he/it_made/did for=him/it wings like,an_eagle and, the=heavens )

Here, the writer speaks of a person quickly losing his wealth as if that wealth made wings for itself and flew away into the sky like an eagle. Just as eagles fly fast, the wealth will disappear quickly. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the meaning plainly or use a simile. Alternate translation: “it will surely disappear quickly” or “it will surely disappear as if it had wings and flew away quickly, as an eagle flies into the sky”

Note 7 topic: translate-unknown

כְּ֝⁠נֶ֗שֶׁר

like,an_eagle