Proverbs 13:12-14

New English Translation

Footnotes

1. Proverbs 13:12 sn The word “hope” (תּוֹחֶלֶת [tokhelet] from יָחַל [yakhal]) also has the implication of a tense if not anxious wait.
2. Proverbs 13:12 tn The verb is the Pual participle from מָשַׁךְ (mashakh, “to draw; to drag”).
3. Proverbs 13:12 sn Failure in realizing one’s hopes can be depressing or discouraging. People can bear frustration only so long (W. G. Plaut, Proverbs, 153).
4. Proverbs 13:12 tn Heb “a desire that comes”; cf. CEV “a wish that comes true.”
5. Proverbs 13:12 tn The comparative “like” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is implied by the metaphor; it is supplied for the sake of clarity.
6. Proverbs 13:13 tn Heb “the word.” Both the term “word” (דָּבָר, davar) and its parallel “command” (מִצְוָה, mitzvah) are used at times for scripture, but probably here for the sage’s teaching. Here the second term gives more specificity to the first.
7. Proverbs 13:13 tc The MT reads יֵחָבֶל (yekhavel) the Niphal imperfect of חָבַל (khaval). This root may be one of two homonyms, meaning either “a pledge will be seized from him” or “he will fare badly” (see HALOT 285 s.v. II חבל and III חבל). But the BHS editors suggest revocalizing the text to יְחֻבָּל (y^ekhubbal, “he will be broken [for it]”; cf. NRSV “bring destruction on themselves”).
8. Proverbs 13:13 tn Heb “fears a commandment”; NIV “respects a command.”
9. Proverbs 13:13 tn Heb “he” or “that one” [will be rewarded].
10. Proverbs 13:13 tc The MT reads יְשֻׁלָּם (y^eshullam, “will be rewarded”); the LXX implies a different vocalization יִשְׁלָם (yishlam, “will stay well/healthy”). Also the LXX then adds: “A crafty son will have no good thing, but the affairs of a wise servant will be prosperous; and his path will be directed rightly.”
11. Proverbs 13:14 tn The term תוֹרָה (torah) in legal literature means “law,” but in wisdom literature often means “instruction; teaching” (BDB 435 s.v.); cf. NAV, NIV, NRSV “teaching”; NLT “advice.”
12. Proverbs 13:14 tn The comparative “like” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is implied by the metaphor.
13. Proverbs 13:14 tn Heb “fountain of life” (so KJV, NAB, NIV, NRSV). The genitive חַיִּים (khayyim) functions as a genitive of material, similar to the expression “fountain of water.” The metaphor means that the teaching of the wise is life-giving. The second colon is the consequence of the first, explaining this metaphor.
14. Proverbs 13:14 tn The infinitive construct with preposition ל (lamed) gives the result (or, purpose) of the first statement. It could also be taken epexegetically, “by turning.”
15. Proverbs 13:14 tn The term “person” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is supplied in the translation for the sake of clarity and smoothness.
16. Proverbs 13:14 tn Heb “snares of death” (so KJV, NAB, NASB, NIV, NRSV, NLT). The genitive מָוֶת (mavet) functions as an attributive adjective. The term “snares” makes an implied comparison with hunting; death is like a hunter. W. McKane compares the idea to the Ugaritic god Mot, the god of death, carrying people off to the realm of the departed (Proverbs [OTL], 455). The expression could also mean that the snares lead to death.