Proverbs 25
Proverbs 25 | |
---|---|
Book | Book of Proverbs |
Category | Ketuvim |
Christian Bible part | Old Testament |
Order in the Christian part | 21 |
Proverbs 25 is the 25th
Text
Hebrew
The following table shows the Hebrew text[6][7] of Proverbs 25 with vowels alongside an English translation based upon the JPS 1917 translation (now in the public domain).
Verse | Hebrew | English translation (JPS 1917) |
---|---|---|
1 | גַּם־אֵ֭לֶּה מִשְׁלֵ֣י שְׁלֹמֹ֑ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר הֶ֝עְתִּ֗יקוּ אַנְשֵׁ֤י ׀ חִזְקִיָּ֬ה מֶלֶךְ־יְהוּדָֽה׃ | These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out. |
2 | כְּבֹ֣ד אֱ֭לֹהִים הַסְתֵּ֣ר דָּבָ֑ר וּכְבֹ֥ד מְ֝לָכִ֗ים חֲקֹ֣ר דָּבָֽר׃ | It is the glory of God to conceal a thing; but the glory of kings is to search out a matter. |
3 | שָׁמַ֣יִם לָ֭רוּם וָאָ֣רֶץ לָעֹ֑מֶק וְלֵ֥ב מְ֝לָכִ֗ים אֵ֣ין חֵֽקֶר׃ | The heaven for height, and the earth for depth, and the heart of kings is unsearchable. |
4 | הָג֣וֹ סִיגִ֣ים מִכָּ֑סֶף וַיֵּצֵ֖א לַצֹּרֵ֣ף כֶּֽלִי׃ | Take away the dross from the silver, and there cometh forth a vessel for the refiner; |
5 | הָג֣וֹ רָ֭שָׁע לִפְנֵי־מֶ֑לֶךְ וְיִכּ֖וֹן בַּצֶּ֣דֶק כִּסְאֽוֹ׃ | Take away the wicked from before the king, and his throne shall be established in righteousness. |
6 | אַל־תִּתְהַדַּ֥ר לִפְנֵי־מֶ֑לֶךְ וּבִמְק֥וֹם גְּ֝דֹלִ֗ים אַֽל־תַּעֲמֹֽד׃ | Glorify not thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men; |
7 | כִּ֤י ט֥וֹב אֲמׇר־לְךָ֗ עֲֽלֵ֫ה־הֵ֥נָּה מֵ֭הַשְׁפִּ֣ילְךָ לִפְנֵ֣י נָדִ֑יב אֲשֶׁ֖ר רָא֣וּ עֵינֶֽיךָ׃ | For better is it that it be said unto thee: ‘Come up hither’, than that thou shouldest be put lower in the presence of the prince, whom thine eyes have seen. |
8 | אַל־תֵּצֵ֥א לָרִ֗ב מַ֫הֵ֥ר פֶּ֣ן מַה־תַּ֭עֲשֶׂה בְּאַחֲרִיתָ֑הּ בְּהַכְלִ֖ים אֹתְךָ֣ רֵעֶֽךָ׃ | Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame. |
9 | רִ֭יבְךָ רִ֣יב אֶת־רֵעֶ֑ךָ וְס֖וֹד אַחֵ֣ר אַל־תְּגָֽל׃ | Debate thy cause with thy neighbour, but reveal not the secret of another; |
10 | פֶּֽן־יְחַסֶּדְךָ֥ שֹׁמֵ֑עַ וְ֝דִבָּתְךָ֗ לֹ֣א תָשֽׁוּב׃ | Lest he that heareth it revile thee, and thine infamy turn not away. |
11 | תַּפּוּחֵ֣י זָ֭הָב בְּמַשְׂכִּיּ֣וֹת כָּ֑סֶף דָּ֝בָ֗ר דָּבֻ֥ר עַל־אׇפְנָֽיו׃ | A word fitly spoken Is like apples of gold in settings of silver. |
12 | נֶ֣זֶם זָ֭הָב וַחֲלִי־כָ֑תֶם מוֹכִ֥יחַ חָ֝כָ֗ם עַל־אֹ֥זֶן שֹׁמָֽעַת׃ | As an ear-ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, So is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear. |
13 | כְּצִנַּת־שֶׁ֨לֶג ׀ בְּי֬וֹם קָצִ֗יר צִ֣יר נֶ֭אֱמָן לְשֹׁלְחָ֑יו וְנֶ֖פֶשׁ אֲדֹנָ֣יו יָשִֽׁיב׃ | As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, So is a faithful messenger to him that sendeth him; For he refresheth the soul of his master. . |
14 | נְשִׂיאִ֣ים וְ֭רוּחַ וְגֶ֣שֶׁם אָ֑יִן אִ֥ישׁ מִ֝תְהַלֵּ֗ל בְּמַתַּת־שָֽׁקֶר׃ | As vapours and wind without rain, So is he that boasteth himself of a false gift. |
15 | בְּאֹ֣רֶךְ אַ֭פַּיִם יְפֻתֶּ֣ה קָצִ֑ין וְלָשׁ֥וֹן רַ֝כָּ֗ה תִּשְׁבׇּר־גָּֽרֶם׃ | By long forbearing is a ruler persuaded, And a soft tongue breaketh the bone. |
16 | דְּבַ֣שׁ מָ֭צָאתָ אֱכֹ֣ל דַּיֶּ֑ךָּ פֶּן־תִּ֝שְׂבָּעֶ֗נּוּ וַהֲקֵאתֽוֹ׃ | Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, Lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it. |
17 | הֹקַ֣ר רַ֭גְלְךָ מִבֵּ֣ית רֵעֶ֑ךָ פֶּן־יִ֝שְׂבָּעֲךָ֗ וּשְׂנֵאֶֽךָ׃ | Let thy foot be seldom in thy neighbour’s house; Lest he be sated with thee, and hate thee. |
18 | מֵפִ֣יץ וְ֭חֶרֶב וְחֵ֣ץ שָׁנ֑וּן אִ֥ישׁ עֹנֶ֥ה בְ֝רֵעֵ֗הוּ עֵ֣ד שָֽׁקֶר׃ | As a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow, So is a man that beareth false witness against his neighbour. |
19 | שֵׁ֣ן רֹ֭עָה וְרֶ֣גֶל מוּעָ֑דֶת מִבְטָ֥ח בּ֝וֹגֵ֗ד בְּי֣וֹם צָרָֽה | Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble Is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint. |
20 | מַ֥עֲדֶה־בֶּ֨גֶד ׀ בְּי֣וֹם קָ֭רָה חֹ֣מֶץ עַל־נָ֑תֶר וְשָׁ֥ר בַּ֝שִּׁרִ֗ים עַ֣ל לֶב־רָֽע׃ | As one that taketh off a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, So is he that singeth songs to a heavy heart. |
21 | אִם־רָעֵ֣ב שֹׂ֭נַאֲךָ הַאֲכִלֵ֣הוּ לָ֑חֶם וְאִם־צָ֝מֵ֗א הַשְׁקֵ֥הוּ מָֽיִם׃ | If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat, And if he be thirsty, give him water to drink; |
22 | כִּ֤י גֶחָלִ֗ים אַ֭תָּה חֹתֶ֣ה עַל־רֹאשׁ֑וֹ וַ֝יהֹוָ֗ה יְשַׁלֶּם־לָֽךְ׃ | For thou wilt heap coals of fire upon his head, And the LORD will reward thee. |
23 | ר֣וּחַ צָ֭פוֹן תְּח֣וֹלֵֽל גָּ֑שֶׁם וּפָנִ֥ים נִ֝זְעָמִ֗ים לְשׁ֣וֹן סָֽתֶר׃ | The north wind bringeth forth rain, And a backbiting tongue an angry countenance. |
24 | ט֗וֹב שֶׁ֥בֶת עַל־פִּנַּת־גָּ֑ג מֵאֵ֥שֶׁת (מדונים) [מִ֝דְיָנִ֗ים] וּבֵ֥ית חָֽבֶר׃ | It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, Than in a house in common with a contentious woman. |
25 | מַ֣יִם קָ֭רִים עַל־נֶ֣פֶשׁ עֲיֵפָ֑ה וּשְׁמוּעָ֥ה ט֝וֹבָ֗ה מֵאֶ֥רֶץ מֶרְחָֽק׃ | As cold waters to a faint soul, So is good news from a far country. |
26 | מַעְיָ֣ן נִ֭רְפָּשׂ וּמָק֣וֹר מׇשְׁחָ֑ת צַ֝דִּ֗יק מָ֣ט לִפְנֵֽי־רָשָֽׁע׃ | As a troubled fountain, and a corrupted spring, So is a righteous man that giveth way before the wicked. |
27 | אָ֘כֹ֤ל דְּבַ֣שׁ הַרְבּ֣וֹת לֹא־ט֑וֹב וְחֵ֖קֶר כְּבֹדָ֣ם כָּבֽוֹד׃ | It is not good to eat much honey; So for men to search out their own glory is not glory. |
28 | עִ֣יר פְּ֭רוּצָה אֵ֣ין חוֹמָ֑ה אִ֝֗ישׁ אֲשֶׁ֤ר אֵ֖ין מַעְצָ֣ר לְרוּחֽוֹ׃ | Like a city broken down and without a wall, So is he whose spirit is without restraint. |
Textual witnesses
Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter in Hebrew are of the Masoretic Text, which includes the Aleppo Codex (10th century), and Codex Leningradensis (1008).[8]
There is also a translation into Koine Greek known as the Septuagint, made in the last few centuries BC; some extant ancient manuscripts of this version include Codex Vaticanus (B; B; 4th century), Codex Sinaiticus (S; BHK: S; 4th century), and Codex Alexandrinus (A; A; 5th century).[9]
Analysis
This chapter belongs to a further collection of Solomonic proverbs, transmitted and edited by royal scribes during the reign of
Based on differences in style and subject-matter there could be two originally separate collections:[10]
- Proverbs 25–27: characterized by many similes and the 'earthy' tone
- Proverbs 28–29: characterized by many antithetical sayings and the predominantly 'moral and religious' tone (cf. Proverbs 10–15)
Aberdeen theologian Kenneth Aitken argues that chapters 25–27 and 28–29 were originally separate collections,[10] while Methodist minister Arno Gaebelein argues that chapters 27–29 as a unit constitute "instructions given to Solomon".[13]
Verses 2 to 7 consist of a series of sayings regarding the king, followed by advice in verses 6 and 7 directed to royal officials.[10]
Verse 1
- These are also proverbs of Solomon,
- which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied.[14]
The proverbs in this collection differ from the earlier ones in that these are 'multiple line sayings using more similes'.[15]
Verses 6–7
- 6Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king,
- and do not stand in the place of great men;
- 7for it is better that it be said to you, “Come up here,"
- than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince,
- whom your eyes have seen.[16]
- than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince,
David Brown notes that Jesus' parable in Luke 14:7–11 includes "a reproduction" of verses 6 and 7.[17]
See also
References
- ^ Halley 1965, p. 270.
- ^ Holman Illustrated Bible Handbook. Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee. 2012.
- ^ Aitken 2007, p. 406.
- ^ Perdue, L. G. (2012), Proverbs, pp. x–xi
- ^ Aitken 2007, pp. 406, 419.
- ^ "Proverbs – Chapter 25". Mechon Mamre.
- ^ "Proverbs 25 - JPS 1917". Sefaria.org.
- ^ Würthwein 1995, pp. 36–37.
- ^ Würthwein 1995, pp. 73–74.
- ^ a b c d Aitken 2007, p. 419.
- ^ Proverbs 25:1: NKJV
- ^ Jewish Encyclopedia, HEZEKIAH (Hebrew: "my strength is Jah"; Assyrian, "Ḥazaḳiau"), accessed 7 May 2021
- ^ Gaebelein, A. (1919), Gaebelein's Annotated Bible: Proverbs 27, accessed 5 May 2021
- ^ Proverbs 25:1 MEV
- ^ Note on Proverbs 25:1 in NET Bible
- ^ Proverbs 25:6–7 MEV
- ^ Brown, D., Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary: Luke 14, accessed 3 May 2021
Sources
- Aitken, K. T. (2007). "19. Proverbs". In ISBN 978-0199277186. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
- Alter, Robert (2010). The Wisdom Books: Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes: A Translation with Commentary. W.W. Norton & Co. ISBN 978-0393080735.
- ISBN 9780195288810.
- Farmer, Kathleen A. (1998). "The Wisdom Books". In McKenzie, Steven L.; Graham, Matt Patrick (eds.). The Hebrew Bible Today: An Introduction to Critical Issues. Westminster John Knox Press. ISBN 978-0-66425652-4.
- ISBN 978-0300155563.
- ISBN 0-310-25720-4.
- Perdue, Leo G. (2012). Proverbs Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching. Presbyterian Publishing Corporation. ISBN 978-0664238841.
- ISBN 0-8028-0788-7. Retrieved January 26, 2019.
External links
- Jewish translations:
- Mishlei - Proverbs - Chapter 25 (Judaica Press) translation [with Rashi's commentary] at Chabad.org
- Christian translations:
- Online Bible at GospelHall.org (ESV, KJV, Darby, American Standard Version, Bible in Basic English)
- Book of Proverbs Chapter 25 King James Version
- Book of Proverbs public domain audiobook at LibriVox Various versions