Genesis 40:23

40:23 But the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph – he forgot him. ¹ 

Psalms 118:8-9

118:8 It is better to take shelter ²  in the Lord

than to trust in people.

118:9 It is better to take shelter in the Lord

than to trust in princes.

Ecclesiastes 9:15

9:15 However, a poor but wise man lived in the city, ³ 

and he could have delivered ⁴  the city by his wisdom,

but no one listened ⁵  to that poor man.

¹ tn The wayyiqtol verbal form here has a reiterative or emphasizing function.

² tn “Taking shelter” in the Lord is an idiom for seeking his protection. Seeking his protection presupposes and even demonstrates the subject’s loyalty to the Lord. In the psalms those who “take shelter” in the Lord are contrasted with the wicked and equated with those who love, fear, and serve the Lord (Pss 5:11-12; 31:17-20; 34:21-22).

³ tn Heb “was found in it”; the referent (the city) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

⁴ tn Or “he delivered.” The verb וּמִלַּט (umillat, from מָלַט, malat, “to deliver”) is functioning either in an indicative sense (past definite action: “he delivered”) or in a modal sense (past potential: “he could have delivered”). The literal meaning of זָכַר (zakhar, “to remember”) in the following line harmonizes with the indicative: “but no one remembered that poor man [afterward].” However, the modal is supported by v. 16: “A poor man’s wisdom is despised; no one ever listens to his advice.” This approach must nuance זָכַר (“to remember”) as “[no one] listened to [that poor man].” Most translations favor the indicative approach: “he delivered” or “he saved” (KJV, RSV, NRSV, NAB, ASV, NASB, MLB, NIV); however, some adopt the modal nuance: “he might have saved” (NEB, NJPS, NASB margin).

⁵ tn Heb “remembered.”