wisdom

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The Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek that is translated as “wisdom” in English is rendered in Amganad Ifugao and Tabasco Chontal as “(big) mind,” in Bulu and Yamba as “heart-thinking,” in Tae’ as “cleverness of heart” (source for this and all above: Reiling / Swellengrebel), in Palauan as “bright spirit (innermost)” (source: Bratcher / Hatton), in Ixcatlán Mazatec as “with your best/biggest thinking” (source: Robert Bascom), in Noongar as dwangka-boola, lit. “ear much” (source: Portions of the Holy Bible in the Nyunga language of Australia, 2018 — see also remember), and in Dobel, it is translated with the idiom “their ear holes are long-lasting” (in Acts 6:3) (source: Jock Hughes).

See also wisdom (Proverbs).

soul

The Hebrew, Greek, and Latin that is translated as “soul” in English is translated in Chol with a term that refers to the invisible aspects of human beings (source: Robert Bascom).

The Mandarin Chinese línghún (靈魂 / 灵魂), literally “spirit-soul,” is often used for “soul” (along with xīn [心] or “heart”). This is a term that was adopted from Buddhist sources into early Catholic writings and later also by Protestant translators. (Source: Zetzsche 1996, p. 32, see also Clara Ho-yan Chan in this article )

See also heart, soul, mind.

Translation commentary on Proverbs 2:10

“For wisdom will come into your heart”: We recall from 2.2 that the “heart” in Hebrew refers to the center of the intellect and not the seat of the emotions. “For” most likely indicates a relationship of cause and effect: wisdom entering the heart results in the person understanding righteousness and justice. Other ways of expressing “wisdom will come into your heart” are “Wisdom will control your mind” (Contemporary English Version), “wisdom will sink into your mind” (New English Bible/Revised English Bible), and “wisdom will be welcome to your mind” (Moffatt).

“Knowledge will be pleasant to your soul”: “Knowledge” matches “wisdom”, and “soul” is paired with “heart”, giving these two lines essentially the same meaning. Good News Translation, which departs from poetic language more often than other well-known versions, states this verse as “You will become wise, and your knowledge will give you pleasure.” We may also say, for example, “Wisdom will fill your heart and knowledge will put joy in your soul.” If “heart” and “soul” cannot be spoken of in this way, we may suggest, for example, “You will become a wise and joyful person.”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Proverbs. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .