גַּ֣ם בְּמַדָּֽעֲךָ֗ מֶ֚לֶךְ אַל־תְּקַלֵּ֔ל וּבְחַדְרֵי֙ מִשְׁכָּ֣בְךָ֔ אַל־תְּקַלֵּ֖ל עָשִׁ֑יר כִּ֣י עֹ֤וף הַשָּׁמַ֨יִם֙ יֹולִ֣יךְ אֶת־הַקֹּ֔ול וּבַ֥עַל הַכְּנָפַ֖יִם יַגֵּ֥יד דָּבָֽר׃
(Ecclesiastes 10:20)
Even in your thoughts, do not curse the king, and in your bedroom, do not curse the rich; for a bird of the heavens will carry the sound, and a possessor of wings will make the matter known.
This proverb teaches the power of words—and even unspoken thoughts. The Hebrew grammar is rich with subtle commands, poetic parallelism, and figurative imagery that turns ordinary speech into timeless wisdom.
How Hebrew Warns Quietly
Unlike English, Hebrew often conveys moral instruction through imperative verbs and poetic parallelism rather than explanation. Here, both halves of the verse mirror each other:
1. Do not curse the king — in your mind.
2. Do not curse the rich — even in private.
Then comes the vivid warning: “for a bird of the heavens will carry the sound.”
This is Hebrew poetry at its finest—simple, memorable, and full of metaphor.
Word-by-Word Breakdown
| Hebrew Word | English Meaning | Part of Speech | Grammar & Notes | Role in Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| גַּם | even / also | Adverb | Used to emphasize inclusion—“even” your thoughts | Introduces the first clause emphatically |
| בְּמַדָּעֲךָ | in your thoughts / knowledge | Noun + suffix | Root: ד־ע־ע (“to know, perceive”) Prefix בְּ = “in” + suffix -ךָ = “your” (masculine singular) |
Sets the mental context of the warning |
| מֶלֶךְ | king | Noun | Common noun; the object of the negative command | The one not to be cursed |
| אַל־תְּקַלֵּל | do not curse | Verb (imperative) | Root: ק־ל־ל (“to curse, treat lightly”) Form: Piel imperfect 2ms with אַל (negative imperative) |
Primary warning—prohibits cursing |
| וּבְחַדְרֵי | and in the rooms of | Preposition + noun (construct) | וּ = “and”; בְּ = “in”; חֶדֶר = “room”; construct plural חַדְרֵי = “rooms of” | Introduces the second context (privacy) |
| מִשְׁכָּבְךָ | your bed / bedroom | Noun + suffix | Root: שׁ־כ־ב (“to lie down”) מִשְׁכָּב = “bed, place of lying”; suffix -ךָ = “your” |
Completes the private setting phrase |
| אַל־תְּקַלֵּל | do not curse | Verb (imperative, repeated) | Identical to the earlier command; repetition adds poetic emphasis | Parallel command applied to a new target |
| עָשִׁיר | rich man | Noun | Object of the second prohibition | The person not to be cursed in private |
| כִּי | for / because | Conjunction | Introduces the reason for the prohibitions | Links warning to its consequence |
| עֹוף הַשָּׁמַיִם | a bird of the heavens | Noun phrase | עֹוף = “bird”; הַשָּׁמַיִם = “the heavens” (genitive relationship) Poetic imagery: a metaphor for words traveling unseen |
Subject of the following verb |
| יֹולִיךְ | will carry / convey | Verb | Root: י־ל־ךְ (“to go, carry”) Form: Hiphil imperfect, 3ms—causative sense “cause to go, carry” |
Verb describing how speech travels |
| אֶת־הַקֹּול | the sound / voice | Noun phrase | Direct object of יֹולִיךְ; refers to the spoken (or imagined) curse | That which is carried away |
| וּבַעַל הַכְּנָפַיִם | and a possessor of wings | Noun phrase | בַּעַל = “owner / possessor”; הַכְּנָפַיִם = “the wings” (dual form) Another poetic image for a flying creature or messenger |
Subject of the final verb |
| יַגֵּיד | will declare / reveal | Verb | Root: נ־ג־ד (“to tell, announce”) Form: Hiphil imperfect, 3ms—causative, “will make known” |
Verb describing exposure or revelation |
| דָּבָר | a word / matter | Noun | Direct object of יַגֵּיד | The thing that is revealed |
Grammar and Poetic Techniques
- Imperative Style: Both prohibitions (אַל־תְּקַלֵּל) use the negative particle אַל + imperfect form—a standard Hebrew construction for “do not.”
- Parallelism: The verse pairs two commands (king/rich) and two consequences (bird/possessor of wings), creating symmetry and rhythm.
- Metaphor of Secrecy: “A bird of the heavens” is a poetic image for how secrets spread unexpectedly—an early form of “a little bird told me.”
- Construct Chains: Phrases like בְּחַדְרֵי מִשְׁכָּבְךָ show Hebrew’s elegant way of linking nouns to express possession or setting.
Tips for Beginners
- Recognize repetition: When Hebrew repeats the same verb, it’s emphasizing the idea, not wasting words.
- Spot construct forms: When two nouns appear together (like “rooms of your bed”), the first noun is usually in construct form.
- Context is poetry: Hebrew wisdom literature uses imagery—don’t over-literalize “bird” or “wings”; they symbolize the spread of speech.
- Grammar carries tone: The repeated negative imperatives sound gentle but firm—Hebrew wisdom prefers caution over command.
Unfolding the Pattern
Ecclesiastes 10:20 is a masterpiece of poetic restraint.
The Hebrew rhythm shifts from inner thought to spoken word, warning that even secrets can take flight. Through compact structure, dual imperatives, and vivid metaphors, the verse captures the wisdom that thought and speech both have consequences.
Hebrew grammar here isn’t just grammar—it’s poetry that whispers, “Even silence can be heard.”
