Thinking Required

(Proverbs 9:13 KJV)  A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing.

Translators use two techniques that require us to do a little thinking.  Frequently what we would consider as adjectives are used as nouns in the Hebrew.  The translators add the noun to make it a modern thought.  Other times both words are present in the original.  This verse has both “woman” (802) and “folly” (3687) in the Hebrew.  An example of the other style is found just a few verses back.

(Proverbs 9:9 KJV)  Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.

In this case the “man” is not in the Hebrew, just the words “wise” and “just”.  In places like verse 9 you could insert “person” for “man” and be true to the translation.  In today’s verse that would be taking liberties with the word of God.  The Contemporary English Version and the Good News Bible translate in such a way as to be politically correct and avoid gender altogether. 

So?  Is the use of “woman” significant?  It is if you believe the Bible is inspired.  Does the point apply to men also?  Yes, it does.  The point is to be careful of the translation you use and look a little deeper.  For Christians faith is required but so is thinking.