“Oil and perfume make the heart glad”: “Oil” may refer to olive oil that was used as a cosmetic to rub on the skin (see Psa 104.15). The word rendered “perfume” may also mean “incense,” a scented smoke sometimes used in rituals. “Make the heart glad” means to make a person feel happy.

“But the soul is torn by trouble”: This line appears to say literally “but the sweetness of his friend from the advice of the soul.” As it stands, the Hebrew text makes little sense. Revised Standard Version, as its footnote shows, has translated the Septuagint. Good News Translation gives a different translation of the Septuagint. Hebrew Old Testament Text Project, which rates the Hebrew text as “C,” suggests two translations of the verse: (1) “Perfume and frankincense make the heart glad, but the sweetness of a friend comes out of the counsel of the soul [good personal advice]” or (2) “Perfume and frankincense make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend is better than a sweet-smelling wood.”

In some languages it is impossible to speak of “the sweetness of a friend.” If the second Hebrew Old Testament Text Project model is to be followed, it may be necessary to adjust to something like “Perfume and incense make a person happy, and the goodness of a friend is better than wood with a pleasant smell.” If there is a particular local wood known for its aroma, this may be used. Contemporary English Version translates verse 9 “The sweet smell of incense can make you feel good, but true friendship is better still.” (The footnote says “One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text of verse 9.”)

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 .