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).

wisdom ("heart wisdom")

In the Tzeltal translation for the dialectal variant of Highland Tzeltal (Biblia Tzeltal yu’un Oxchuc soc Tenejapa, 2001) the translation team used three different words to translate the Hebrew term that is translated as “wisdom” in English. For the verses referenced here, it uses p’ijil-o’tanil or “heart wisdom.”

For the complete story and more background, please see wisdom (Proverbs).

Translation commentary on Proverbs 7:4

The two lines of this verse are parallel and very close in meaning. The association of “wisdom” with “sister” and “friend” is a close and intimate relationship.

“Say to wisdom, “You are my sister””: Revised Standard Version uses direct address, but it is also possible to say, for example, “Call wisdom your sister” or “Let wisdom be like a sister to you.” In languages that make a distinction between older and younger sister, “older sister” will normally be appropriate. Die Bibel im heutigen Deutsch says “Consider [regard, look upon] wisdom as your sister.”

“Call insight your intimate friend”: For “insight” see 1.2. “Intimate friend” translates the term for kinsman used of Boaz in relation to Ruth’s dead husband in Ruth 2.1 and 3.2. The term carries with it a sense of obligation. “Best friend” or “closest friend” is a good rendering in this context.

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 .