Proverbs 3:2

3:2 for they will provide ¹  a long and full life, ² 

and they will add well-being ³  to you.

Proverbs 4:10

4:10 Listen, my child, ⁴  and accept my words,

so that ⁵  the years of your life will be many. ⁶ 

Proverbs 9:11

9:11 For because ⁷  of me your days will be many,

and years will be added ⁸  to your life.

Proverbs 10:27

10:27 Fearing the Lord ⁹  prolongs life, ¹⁰ 

but the life span ¹¹  of the wicked will be shortened. ¹² 

[3:2]  ¹ tn The phrase “they will provide” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but are supplied in the translation for the sake of smoothness.

[3:2]  ² tn Heb “length of days and years of life” (so NASB, NRSV). The idiom “length of days” refers to a prolonged life and “years of life” signifies a long time full of life, a life worth living (T. T. Perowne, Proverbs, 51). The term “life” refers to earthly felicity combined with spiritual blessedness (BDB 313 s.v. חַיִּים).

[3:2]  ³ tn The noun שָׁלוֹם (shalom, “peace”) here means “welfare, health, prosperity” (BDB 1022 s.v. 3). It can be used of physical health and personal well-being. It is the experience of positive blessing and freedom from negative harm and catastrophe.

[4:10]  ⁴ tn Heb “my son” (likewise in v. 20).

[4:10]  ⁵ tn The vav prefixed to the imperfect verb follows an imperative; this volitive sequence depicts purpose/result.

[4:10]  ⁶ tn Heb “and the years of life will be many for you.”

[9:11]  ⁷ tn The preposition בּ (bet) here may have the causal sense (R. J. Williams, Hebrew Syntax, 45, §247), although it could also be means (Williams, 44, §243).

[9:11]  ⁸ tn The verb וְיוֹסִיפוּ (vÿyosifu) is the Hiphil imperfect, third masculine plural; but because there is no expressed subject the verb may be taken as a passive.

[10:27]  ¹⁰ tn Heb “the fear of the Lord.” The term יְהוָה (yÿhvah, “the Lord”) functions as an objective genitive.

[10:27]  ¹¹ tn Heb “days” (so KJV, ASV).

[10:27]  ¹² tn Heb “years.” The term “years” functions as a synecdoche of part (= years) for the whole (= lifespan).

[10:27]  ¹³ 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.