Proverbs 10:27

10:27 Fearing the Lord prolongs life,

but the life span of the wicked will be shortened.


tn Heb “the fear of the Lord.” The term יְהוָה (yÿhvah, “the Lord”) functions as an objective genitive.

tn Heb “days” (so KJV, ASV).

tn Heb “years.” The term “years” functions as a synecdoche of part (= years) for the whole (= lifespan).

sn This general saying has to be qualified with the problem of the righteous suffering and dying young, a problem that perplexed the sages of the entire ancient world. But this is the general principle: The righteous live longer because their life is the natural one and because God blesses them.