Proverbs 16:31-33

16:31 Gray hair is like ¹  a crown of glory; ² 

it is attained ³  in the path of righteousness. ⁴ 

16:32 Better to be slow to anger ⁵  than to be a mighty warrior,

and one who controls his temper ⁶  is better than ⁷  one who captures a city. ⁸ 

16:33 The dice are thrown into the lap, ⁹ 

but their every decision ¹⁰  is from the Lord. ¹¹ 

[16:31]  ¹ 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.

[16:31]  ² sn The proverb presents the ideal, for it is not concerned with old people who may be evil. The KJV tried to qualify the interpretation by making the second half of the verse a conditional clause (“if it be found in the way of righteousness”). This is acceptable but unnecessary. The book of Proverbs is simply laying out the equity of longevity for righteousness and premature death for wicked people. In this line “gray hair” is a metonymy of adjunct/effect, representing old age; and the “glorious crown” (taking the genitive as attributive) provides a fitting metaphor to compare the hair on the head with a crown.

[16:31]  ³ tn Heb “it is found” (so NASB) or “it will be found.”

[16:31]  ⁴ sn While the proverb presents a general observation, there is a commendable lesson about old people who can look back on a long walk with God through life and can anticipate unbroken fellowship with him in glory.

[16:32]  ⁵ tn One who is “slow to anger” is a patient person (cf. NAB, NIV, NLT). This is explained further in the parallel line by the description of “one who rules his spirit” (וּמֹשֵׁל בְּרוּחוֹ, umoshel bÿrukho), meaning “controls his temper.” This means the person has the emotions under control and will not “fly off the handle” quickly.

[16:32]  ⁶ tn Heb “who rules his spirit” (so NASB).

[16:32]  ⁷ tn The phrase “is better than” does not appear in this line in the Hebrew text, but is implied by the parallelism.

[16:32]  ⁸ sn The saying would have had greater impact when military prowess was held in high regard. It is harder, and therefore better, to control one’s passions than to do some great exploit on the battlefield.

[16:33]  ⁹ tn Heb “the lot is cast.” Because the ancient practice of “casting lots” is unfamiliar to many modern readers, the imagery has been updated to “throwing dice.”

[16:33]  ¹⁰ tn Heb “all its decision.”

[16:33]  ¹¹ sn The point concerns seeking God’s will through the practice. The Lord gives guidance in decisions that are submitted to him.