Proverbs 23:5 in Hebrew
הֲתָעִיף עֵינֶ֥יךָ בֹּ֗ו וְֽאֵ֫ינֶ֥נּוּ כִּ֤י עָשֹׂ֣ה יַעֲשֶׂה־לֹּ֣ו כְנָפַ֑יִם כְּ֝נֶ֗שֶׁר וָעִ֥יף הַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃
Introduction to Hebrew Idioms in Proverbs
Proverbs 23:5 uses vivid metaphorical language and idiomatic expressions to describe the fleeting nature of wealth. The verse states:
הֲתָעִיף עֵינֶ֥יךָ בֹּ֗ו וְֽאֵ֫ינֶ֥נּוּ – “Will you set your eyes upon it, and it is gone?”
כִּ֤י עָשֹׂ֣ה יַעֲשֶׂה־לֹּ֣ו כְנָפַ֑יִם – “For it will surely make wings for itself.”
כְּנֶ֗שֶׁר וָעִ֥יף הַשָּׁמָֽיִם – “Like an eagle flying toward the heavens.”
These expressions reflect a poetic warning about the transience of riches.
Understanding the Idioms and Metaphors
1. הֲתָעִיף עֵינֶ֥יךָ בֹּ֗ו וְֽאֵ֫ינֶ֥נּוּ (“Will you set your eyes upon it, and it is gone?”)
– The verb הֲתָעִיף (ha-tāʿīf) is derived from עוף (ʿūf), meaning “to fly”.
– This phrase conveys the quick disappearance of wealth, suggesting that even looking at it does not ensure possession.
– It reflects the Hebrew concept of impermanence, warning that material riches cannot be depended upon.
2. כִּ֤י עָשֹׂ֣ה יַעֲשֶׂה־לֹּ֣ו כְנָפַ֑יִם (“For it will surely make wings for itself.”)
– The doubling of the verb עָשֹׂ֣ה יַעֲשֶׂה (ʿāśāh yaʿăśeh) intensifies the action, implying certainty.
– The imagery of money growing wings is a personification, illustrating how wealth can “fly away.”
3. כְּנֶ֗שֶׁר וָעִ֥יף הַשָּׁמָֽיִם (“Like an eagle flying toward the heavens.”)
– The comparison to an eagle (נֶשֶׁר, nesher) suggests speed and elusiveness.
– The eagle was seen as a symbol of swift movement, reinforcing the idea that riches vanish beyond reach.
The Literary Function of These Expressions
1. Warning Against Trusting in Wealth
– The flight metaphor suggests that riches are inherently unstable.
– This aligns with biblical wisdom literature, which frequently contrasts material security with spiritual stability.
2. Emphasizing the Illusion of Possession
– The imagery of watching wealth disappear highlights its deceptive nature.
– The phrase וְֽאֵ֫ינֶ֥נּוּ (“and it is gone”) uses a sudden shift in tense, underscoring how quickly riches vanish.
3. Building Poetic Impact
– The parallel structure reinforces the verse’s message through repetition.
– The use of a powerful visual image (an eagle flying away) makes the lesson memorable.
The Message of Proverbs 23:5
Proverbs 23:5 illustrates the fleeting nature of wealth using rich metaphorical language. The imagery of flying and the comparison to an eagle convey the instability of riches, warning against over-reliance on material possessions.
This passage exemplifies how Biblical Hebrew uses idioms and poetic structure to impart timeless wisdom, urging the reader to seek lasting spiritual values rather than transient wealth.
