19:19 A person with great anger bears the penalty, 1
but if you deliver him from it once, you will have to do it again. 2
23:35 You will say, 3 “They have struck me, but I am not harmed!
They beat me, but I did not know it! 4
When will I awake? I will look for another drink.” 5
1 sn The Hebrew word means “indemnity, fine”; this suggests that the trouble could be legal, and the angry person has to pay for it.
2 tn The second colon of the verse is very difficult, and there have been many proposals as to its meaning: (1) “If you save [your enemy], you will add [good to yourself]”; (2) “If you save [your son by chastening], you may continue [chastisement and so educate him]”; (3) “If you deliver [him by paying the fine for him once], you will have to do it again”; (4) “If you save [him this time], you will have to increase [the punishment later on].” All interpretations have to supply a considerable amount of material (indicated by brackets). Many English versions are similar to (3).
3 tn The phrase “You will say” is supplied in the translation to make it clear that the drunkard is now speaking.
4 sn The line describes how one who is intoxicated does not feel the pain, even though beaten by others. He does not even remember it.
5 tn The last line has only “I will add I will seek it again.” The use of אוֹסִיף (’osif) signals a verbal hendiadys with the next verb: “I will again seek it.” In this context the suffix on the verb refers to the wine – the drunkard wants to go and get another drink.