Proverbs 13:14

13:14 Instruction ¹  from the wise ²  is like ³  a life-giving fountain, ⁴ 

to turn ⁵  a person ⁶  from deadly snares. ⁷ 

Isaiah 33:6

33:6 He is your constant source of stability; ⁸ 

he abundantly provides safety and great wisdom; ⁹ 

he gives all this to those who fear him. ¹⁰ 

Revelation 21:6

21:6 He also said to me, “It is done! ¹¹  I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the one who is thirsty I will give water ¹²  free of charge ¹³  from the spring of the water of life.

[13:14]  ¹ tn The term תוֹרָה (torah) in legal literature means “law,” but in wisdom literature often means “instruction; teaching” (BDB 435 s.v.); cf. NAV, NIV, NRSV “teaching”; NLT “advice.”

[13:14]  ² tn Heb “instruction of the wise.” The term חָכָם (khakham, “the wise”) is a genitive of source.

[13:14]  ³ tn The comparative “like” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is implied by the metaphor; it is supplied for the sake of clarity.

[13:14]  ⁴ tn Heb “fountain of life” (so KJV, NAB, NIV, NRSV). The genitive חַיִּים (khayyim) functions as a genitive of material, similar to the expression “fountain of water.” The metaphor means that the teaching of the wise is life-giving. The second colon is the consequence of the first, explaining this metaphor.

[13:14]  ⁵ tn The infinitive construct with preposition לְ (lamed) gives the result (or, purpose) of the first statement. It could also be taken epexegetically, “by turning.”

[13:14]  ⁶ tn The term “person” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is supplied in the translation for the sake of clarity and smoothness.

[13:14]  ⁷ tn Heb “snares of death” (so KJV, NAB, NASB, NIV, NRSV, NLT). The genitive מָוֶת (mavet) functions as an attributive adjective. The term “snares” makes an implied comparison with hunting; death is like a hunter. W. McKane compares the idea to the Ugaritic god Mot, the god of death, carrying people off to the realm of the departed (Proverbs [OTL], 455). The expression could also mean that the snares lead to death.

[33:6]  ⁸ tn Heb “and he is the stability of your times.”

[33:6]  ⁹ tn Heb “a rich store of deliverance, wisdom, and knowledge.”

[33:6]  ¹⁰ tn Heb “the fear of the Lord, it is his treasure.”

[21:6]  ¹¹ tn Or “It has happened.”

[21:6]  ¹² tn The word “water” is not in the Greek text, but is implied. Direct objects were frequently omitted in Greek when clear from the context.

[21:6]  ¹³ tn Or “as a free gift” (see L&N 57.85).