10:27 Fearing the Lord 1 prolongs life, 2
but the life span 3 of the wicked will be shortened. 4
10:28 The hope 5 of the righteous is joy,
but the expectation of the wicked will remain unfulfilled. 6
10:29 The way of the Lord 7 is like 8 a stronghold for the upright, 9
but it is destruction 10 to evildoers. 11
10:30 The righteous will never be moved,
but the wicked will not inhabit the land. 12
1 tn Heb “the fear of the
2 tn Heb “days” (so KJV, ASV).
3 tn Heb “years.” The term “years” functions as a synecdoche of part (= years) for the whole (= lifespan).
4 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.
5 sn This proverb contrasts the hopes of the righteous and the wicked. The righteous will see their hopes fulfilled. The saying is concerned with God’s justice. The words תּוֹחֶלֶת (tokhelet, from יָחַל, yakhal) and תִּקְוַת (tiqvat, from קָוָה, qavah) are synonyms, both emphasizing eager expectations, longings, waiting in hope.
6 tn Heb “will perish”; NAB “comes to nought.”
9 sn The “way of the
10 tn The comparative “like” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is implied by the metaphor; it is supplied in the translation for the sake of clarity.
11 tn Heb “for the one with integrity” (לַתֹּם, latom).
12 tn Or “ruin” (so NIV).
13 tn Heb “those who practice iniquity.”
13 sn This proverb concerns the enjoyment of covenant blessings – dwelling in the land of Israel. It is promised to the righteous for an eternal inheritance, and so the wicked cannot expect to settle there – they will be exiled.