Ecclesiastes 7:7 in Hebrew
כִּ֥י הָעֹ֖שֶׁק יְהֹולֵ֣ל חָכָ֑ם וִֽיאַבֵּ֥ד אֶת־לֵ֖ב מַתָּנָֽה׃
Introduction to the Verse
Ecclesiastes 7:7 presents a statement about the corrupting influence of oppression and bribery. A key grammatical feature in this verse is the Hiphil verbal stem, which appears in the verbs יְהֹולֵ֣ל (yəhōlēl) and יַאֲבֵּ֥ד (yaʾabbed).
Understanding the Hiphil Stem
1. What is the Hiphil Stem?
– The Hiphil is one of the seven binyanim (verbal stems) in Biblical Hebrew.
– It typically conveys causative action, meaning that one subject causes another to act in a certain way.
2. יְהֹולֵ֣ל (Yəhōlēl) – “Causes to Act Foolishly”
– This verb comes from the root ה־ל־ל (h-l-l), meaning “to act foolishly” or “to boast.”
– In the Hiphil, it means “to cause someone to act foolishly.”
– Here, הָעֹ֖שֶׁק (haʿōšeq, “oppression”) is the subject that causes the wise person (חָכָ֑ם, “ḥakham”) to act foolishly.
3. יַאֲבֵּ֥ד (Yaʾabbed) – “Causes to Destroy”
– This verb comes from the root א־ב־ד (ʾ-b-d), meaning “to perish” or “to be lost.”
– In the Hiphil, it means “to cause to be lost” or “to destroy.”
– In this verse, bribery (מַתָּנָֽה, mattanah) is what causes the heart (לֵ֖ב, lēv) to be lost or ruined.
The Function of the Hiphil in This Verse
1. Causative Effect of Oppression
– Oppression (הָעֹ֖שֶׁק) does not merely exist; it actively causes wise people to act irrationally.
– This reflects the Hiphil’s function of causation, showing that oppression can manipulate the behavior of even a wise person.
2. The Destructive Power of Bribery
– The Hiphil of יַאֲבֵּד shows that bribery does not just harm—it actively causes the destruction of discernment.
– The heart (לֵ֖ב) in biblical thought represents understanding and moral reasoning.
– Thus, bribery is not passive; it actively corrupts the inner judgment of a person.
The Role of the Hiphil in Ecclesiastes 7:7
The Hiphil stem in יְהֹולֵ֣ל and יַאֲבֵּ֥ד emphasizes the active, causative nature of oppression and bribery.
– Oppression causes even the wise to act foolishly.
– Bribery actively destroys sound judgment.
By using Hiphil verbs, the verse underscores the transformative and corrupting effects of social injustice, illustrating how external pressures can alter a person’s wisdom and integrity.
