잠언 18:24의 번역 재고와 제안 ― 참된 우정에 관한 격언의 관점에서 ―

Abstract

This paper revisits the translation of Proverbs 18:24 in the light of the sayings about true friendship. Proverbs 18:24 has been translated in various ways because of two words of the Masoretic text, that is, ‘אשׁ(’îš)’ and ‘להתרצצ(lĕhitro‘ēa‘)’.BR First, several bibles and commentaries construe אישׁ as a noun whose meaning is a man, translating it with the following word ‘רעים(re‘im)’ as a man of friends. They also consider the relation of אישׁ and רעים as the subjective genitive (a man who has friends) or the attributive genitive (a man who makes friends). However, this reading of אישׁ is neither grammatically correct nor contextually consistent. For this reason, the BHS apparatus suggests that אישׁ should be read as a particle ‘אשׁ(’iš)’ or ‘יש(yeš)’, which means there is. Such reading clearly makes the parallel between the first half and the second one through the same word יש or at least the same meaning, there is. Moreover, אשׁ or יש highlights the contrast between friends in the first half, and a friend in the second one.BR Second, some bibles and commentaries parse the word להתרעע as Hithpolel infinitive construct of Ⅱרעע whose meaning is to be beaten up. This reading results in the translation of the first half as follows: A man of friends comes to ruin or There are friends who ruin themselves. Yet, להתרעע gives rise to a weak opposition between to ruin in the first half and clinging to in the second one. Compared to the Masoretic reading of להתרעע, the BHS apparatus’s reading of ‘להתרעות(lĕhitrā‘ôt)’ is preferable to understand the meaning of the whole verse. Considering that להתרעע means to associate with, the verse draws a comparison between friends who want to associate with others and a friend who clings closer than his/her brother. Indeed, Proverbs 18:24 offers a lesson about true friendship in terms of being superior to kinship. Its emphasis on true friendship is also harmonious with other sayings about friendship in the book of Proverbs, especially focused on an association with wise friends, unconditional and selfless love, and a warning against disguised friendship.BR Therefore, this paper suggests the translation of Proverbs 18:24 as follows: There are friends who maintain superficial friendship, but there is a friend who clings closer than a brother.