Proverbs 5:23
ה֗וּא יָ֭מוּת בְּאֵ֣ין מוּסָ֑ר וּבְרֹ֖ב אִוַּלְתֹּ֣ו יִשְׁגֶּֽה׃
Judgment Statement: הוּא יָמוּת בְּאֵין מוּסָר
הוּא (“he”) emphasizes the subject, often added for poetic or emphatic effect. יָמוּת (“he shall die”) is a Qal imperfect 3ms of מ־ו־ת (“to die”), expressing a future or inevitable outcome.
- בְּאֵין מוּסָר — “for lack of discipline” or literally “in there being no discipline.” מוּסָר means “instruction, correction,” and אֵין marks negation in a nominal clause. The prefix בְּ indicates circumstance or cause.
This clause teaches that death comes not from violence but from moral failure — a hallmark of wisdom literature.
Paralleled Result: וּבְרֹב אִוַּלְתֹּו יִשְׁגֶּה
וּבְרֹב (“and in the abundance of”) introduces a parallel cause. רֹב (“abundance, multitude”) intensifies the problem.
- אִוַּלְתֹּו — “his folly,” from א־ו־ל (“foolishness”), with 3ms possessive suffix
- יִשְׁגֶּה — “he shall go astray” or “he shall err” (Qal imperfect 3ms of שׁ־ג־ה), reinforcing the path of ruin caused by foolishness
The parallelism reflects the synonymous relationship between a lack of instruction and a life dominated by folly — both leading to ruin.
Parsing Table: Key Forms in Proverbs 5:23
| Hebrew Word | Root | Form | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| יָמוּת | מ־ו־ת | Qal imperfect (3ms) | “He shall die” — prophetic consequence |
| מוּסָר | י־ס־ר | Noun (ms) | “Discipline, instruction” — moral training |
| אִוַּלְתֹּו | א־ו־ל | Noun (fs + 3ms suffix) | “His folly” — moral stupidity or recklessness |
| יִשְׁגֶּה | שׁ־ג־ה | Qal imperfect (3ms) | “He shall go astray” — final behavioral result |
The Grammar of Moral Collapse
Proverbs 5:23 encapsulates the core of Hebrew wisdom through poetic balance and moral consequence. The grammar contrasts internal lack (no discipline) with external abundance (much folly), and binds both to the future outcomes of death and error. Hebrew syntax here doesn’t merely explain — it warns, predicting the tragic arc of a life devoid of instruction.
