PROV 25:11 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=normal (All still tentative.)

OET (OET-RV) Good advice given at the right time
⇔ is like gold apples set in a silver frame.

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 Μῆλον χρυσοῦν ἐν ὁρμίσκῳ σαρδίου, οὕτως εἰπεῖν λόγον.
(Maʸlon ⱪrusoun en hormiskōi sardiou, houtōs eipein logon. )

BrTr As a golden apple in a necklace of sardius, so is it to speak a wise word.

ULT Apples of gold in sculptures of silver
⇔ is a word spoken according to its circumstance.

UST When someone says something that is very appropriate to a situation,
⇔ it is as delightful as seeing golden apples in a setting of silver.

OEB No OEB PROV book available

WEBBE ⇔ A word fitly spoken
⇔ is like apples of gold in settings of silver.

WMBB (Same as above)

NET Like apples of gold in settings of silver,
⇔ so is a word skillfully spoken.

LSV Apples of gold in imagery of silver,
[Is] the word spoken at its fit times.

FBV Advice given at the right time is like golden apples set in silver.

T4T ⇔ Something that is said that is very appropriate
⇔ is as delightful as seeing [SIM] gold apples/ornaments in a silver bowl.

LEB • Apples of gold in a setting of silver is a matter spoken at[fn] its proper time.

25:? Hebrew “on”

BBE A word at the right time is like apples of gold in a network of silver.

Moff is like a golden apple laid on silver network;
⇔ a golden earring, a necklace of rare gold--

JPS A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.

ASV A word fitly spoken
⇔ Is like apples of gold in network of silver.

DRA To speak a word in due time, is like apples of gold on beds of silver.

YLT Apples of gold in imagery of silver, [Is] the word spoken at its fit times.

Drby [As] apples of gold in pictures of silver, is a word spoken in season.

RV A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in baskets of silver.

SLT Apples of gold in images of silver is the word spoken upon its wheels.

Wbstr A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.

KJB-1769 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.[fn]

25.11 fitly…: Heb. spoken upon his wheels

KJB-1611 [fn]A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of siluer.
(Modernised spelling is same as from KJB-1769 above apart from footnotes)

25:11 Heb. spoken vpon his wheeles.

Bshps A worde spoken in due season, is lyke apples of golde in a graued worke of siluer.
(A word spoken in due season, is like apples of gold in a graved/carved work of silver.)

Gnva A word spoken in his place, is like apples of golde with pictures of siluer.
(A word spoken in his place, is like apples of gold with pictures of silver. )

Cvdl A worde spoken in due season, is like apples of golde in a syluer dyshe.
(A word spoken in due season, is like apples of gold in a silver dyshe.)

Wycl A goldun pomel in beddis of siluer is he, that spekith a word in his time.
(A golden pomel in beds of silver is he, that speaketh/speaks a word in his time.)

Luth Ein Wort, geredet zu seiner Zeit, ist wie güldene Äpfel in silbernen Schalen.
(A word, talked to/for his time/period, is as/like golden apples in silvery peel(n).)

ClVg Mala aurea in lectis argenteis, qui loquitur verbum in tempore suo.[fn]
(Mala gold in/into/on lectis silver, who/which speaks the_word/saying in/into/on at_the_time his_own. )

25.11 Mala aurea. Sacra eloquia, etc., usque ad remoto litteræ velamine pandit.

25.11 Mala gold. Sacra words, etc., until to remoto letters covering pandit.

SOTN SIL Open Translator’s Notes:

Section 25:1–29:27: This is Hezekiah’s collection of Solomon’s proverbs

This section is the second collection of Solomon’s proverbs. These proverbs were organized and copied by men who served King Hezekiah. Most scholars divide this section into two groups. These groups differ in several ways.

The first group (chapters 25–27) has many more comparisons and admonitions. In Hebrew, most of these comparisons are metaphors in which one or more illustrations precede the topic. Some English versions change the order so that the topic precedes the illustration(s). You should follow the order that expresses the meaning naturally and effectively in your language.

In the first group, many proverbs are one verse long. As with the individual proverbs in the main collection of Solomon’s proverbs (Section 10:1–22:16), they are not related to the proverbs around them. Other proverbs in this group are two or more verses long. Still others are one-verse proverbs that are closely related in theme. Proverbs in all three categories will be marked as separate paragraphs.

The second group (chapters 28–29) has more contrastive proverbs. The proverbs in this group are each one verse long. They will not be marked as separate paragraphs.

Some other headings for this section are:

More Proverbs of Solomon (NIV)

Proverbs of Solomon Collected by Hezekiah (NET)

These are also wise things that Solomon said

25:11–14

These four proverbs are all figures of speech about words. In Hebrew, verses 11, 12, and 14 are metaphors. Verse 13 is a simile. In Hebrew, the topic of each of these comparisons occurs after the illustration.

In many languages, the topic of a comparison normally occurs first. For such languages, the point of the proverb may be easier to identify if the lines are reordered.

If you prefer not to reorder the lines, another option is to state the illustration in the form of a question or riddle. Then give the topic in the form of an answer.Fox (page 775) mentions that when a proverb puts the illustration of a comparison before the topic, it “has the feel of a riddle.” See the first meaning line for 25:12a and 25:12b in the Display for an example.

25:11

^11aA word fitly spoken

^11bis like apples of gold in settings of silver.

In Hebrew, the parts of this comparison occur in the opposite order. For example:

^11bLike golden apples in silver settings,

^11aso is a word spoken at the right time. (GW)

You may use whatever order is more natural in your language for a comparison.

25:11a–b

(combined/reordered)

¶ Think^(sing) about a beautiful bowl made from gold and silver. What does it illustrate? Words that a person skillfully speaks at the right time.

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver: This proverb compares appropriate words that a person speaks to an engraving or piece of jewelry that is made from gold and silver. Some of the similarities between the words and the engraving are that:

Both are pleasing or beautiful.
Both have lasting value.
Both are skillfully designed.These three points of similarity are mentioned by Ross (page 1081) and Kidner (page 158). Waltke (page 320) and Hubbard (page 397) mention “beauty” and “value.”

In some languages, it may be helpful to make one or more of the similarities explicit. For example:

The right word spoken at the right time is as beautiful as gold apples in a silver bowl. (NCV)

25:11a

A word fitly spoken

¶ Helpful/Pleasant words at the right time
¶ When someone speaks useful/appropriate words at the proper time,

A word fitly spoken: This phrase refers in general to any words which are appropriate in a particular circumstance.According to Longman (page 453), a “word” is “probably a proverb or point of advice.” Most versions translate in a way that does not limit its meaning. Some other ways to translate this phrase are:

a word skillfully spoken (NET)

A well-spoken word at just the right moment (Voice)

25:11b

is like apples of gold in settings of silver.

are like apples made from gold that are placed/arranged in a silver bowl.
their words are like beautiful silver jewelry decorated/engraved with gold designs.

apples of gold in settings of silver: The exact meaning of this phrase is not clear. Scholars agree that it refers to a beautiful carving, engraving, or piece of jewelry that is made from gold and silver. Two ways to translate it are:

Use specific terms for the gold and silver items. For example:
gold apples in a silver bowl (NCV)
silver jewelry engraved with gold apples
apples carved from gold and attached to a silver ornament
Use general terms. For example:
precious gold set in silver (CEV)
silver decorated with gold

UTN uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / infostructure

תַּפּוּחֵ֣י זָ֭הָב בְּ⁠מַשְׂכִּיּ֥וֹת כָּ֑סֶף דָּ֝בָ֗ר דָּבֻ֥ר עַל־אָפְנָֽי⁠ו

apples_of gold in,carvings_of silver message spoken on/upon/above/on_account_of//he/it_went_in times_of,its_proper

If it would be helpful in your language, you could reverse the order of these clauses. Alternate translation: “A word spoken according to its circumstance is apples of gold in sculptures of silver”

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

תַּפּוּחֵ֣י זָ֭הָב בְּ⁠מַשְׂכִּיּ֥וֹת כָּ֑סֶף

apples_of gold in,carvings_of silver

In this verse, Solomon speaks of a word spoken according to its circumstance pleasing those who hear it as if it were Apples of gold in sculptures of silver. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the meaning plainly or use a simile. Alternate translation: “Very pleasing” or “Like apples of gold in sculptures of silver”

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / possession

תַּפּוּחֵ֣י זָ֭הָב בְּ⁠מַשְׂכִּיּ֥וֹת כָּ֑סֶף

apples_of gold in,carvings_of silver

Here Solomon is using possessive forms to describe Apples made from gold and sculptures made from silver. If your language would not use the possessive form for this, you could use different expressions. Alternate translation: “Apples made of gold in sculptures made of silver”

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

בְּ⁠מַשְׂכִּיּ֥וֹת כָּ֑סֶף

in,carvings_of silver

Here, the word translated as sculptures refers to silver that someone carved into a beautiful shape. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state this explicitly. Alternate translation: “in beautiful carvings of silver”

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

דָּ֝בָ֗ר

message

Here, word refers to what someone speaks by using words. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “is something” or “are words”

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / activepassive

דָּבֻ֥ר

spoken

If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “someone speaks”

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / abstractnouns

עַל־אָפְנָֽי⁠ו

on/upon/above/on_account_of//he/it_went_in times_of,its_proper