Amsal 1:11
Konteks1:11 If they say, “Come with us!
We will 1 lie in wait 2 to shed blood; 3
we will ambush 4 an innocent person 5 capriciously. 6
Amsal 2:3
Konteks2:3 indeed, if 7 you call out for 8 discernment 9 –
raise your voice 10 for understanding –
Amsal 23:31
Konteks23:31 Do not look on the wine when it is red,
when it sparkles 11 in the cup,
when it goes down smoothly. 12
[1:11] 1 tn This cohortative נֶאֶרְבָה (ne’ervah) could denote resolve (“We will lie in wait!”) or exhortation (“Let us lie in wait!”). These sinners are either expressing their determination to carry out a violent plan or they are trying to entice the lad to participate with them.
[1:11] 2 tn The verb אָרַב (’arav, “to lie in wait”) it is used for planning murder (Deut 19:11), kidnapping (Judg 21:20), or seduction (Prov 23:28).
[1:11] 3 tn Heb “for blood.” The term דָּם (dam, “blood”) functions as a metonymy of effect for “blood shed violently” through murder (HALOT 224 s.v. 4).
[1:11] 4 tn Heb “lie in hiding.”
[1:11] 5 tn The term “innocent” (נָקִי, naqi) intimates that the person to be attacked is harmless.
[1:11] 6 tn Heb “without cause” (so KJV, NASB); NCV “just for fun.” The term חִנָּם (khinnam, “without cause”) emphasizes that the planned attack is completely unwarranted.
[2:3] 7 tn Both particles retain their individual meanings, otherwise the verse would begin with a strong adversative and be a contrast to what has been said.
[2:3] 9 sn The noun recalls the second purpose of the book (1:2). It is also cognate to the last word of 2:2, forming a transition. The two objects of the prepositions in this verse are actually personifications, as if they could be summoned.
[2:3] 10 tn Heb “give your voice”; the expression is idiomatic for raising or lifting the voice to make a sound that carries further (e.g., Jer 2:15). This deliberate expression indicates that something significant is being uttered. J. H. Greenstone says, “If it [understanding] does not come at your first call, raise your voice to a higher pitch, put forth greater efforts” (Proverbs, 17).
[23:31] 11 tn Heb “its eye gives.” With CEV’s “bubbling up in the glass” one might think champagne was in view.
[23:31] 12 tn The expression is difficult, and is suspected of having been added from Song 7:10, although the parallel is not exact. The verb is the Hitpael imperfect of הָלַךְ (halakh); and the prepositional phrase uses the word “upright; equity; pleasing,” from יָשָׁר (yashar). KJV has “when it moveth itself aright”; much more helpful is ASV: “when it goeth down smoothly.” Most recent English versions are similar to ASV. The phrase obviously refers to the pleasing nature of wine.