Proverbs 11:16
אֵֽשֶׁת־֭חֵן תִּתְמֹ֣ךְ כָּבֹ֑וד וְ֝עָרִיצִ֗ים יִתְמְכוּ־עֹֽשֶׁר׃
1. Transliteration
ʾEshet-ḥēn titmōkh kāvōd, veʿārîtsîm yitmĕkhû-ʿōsher.
2. Literal Translation
A woman of grace holds fast to honor, and ruthless men hold fast to wealth.
3. Grammar Focus: One Verb Repeated Across Two Worlds
The most important grammatical feature in this proverb is repetition of the same root:
תִּתְמֹךְ … יִתְמְכוּ
Both verbs come from the root ת־מ־ךְ, meaning:
“to hold,” “to support,” “to grasp firmly.”
Hebrew wisdom poetry loves this kind of repetition. The same verb appears twice, but the objects are different:
- A gracious woman holds firmly to honor.
- Ruthless men hold firmly to wealth.
For beginners, this is a wonderful example of Hebrew parallelism. The verse balances two pictures beside each other so the reader compares them naturally.
4. Seeing the Parallel Structure
| First Half | Second Half |
|---|---|
|
אֵשֶׁת־חֵן A woman of grace |
וְעָרִיצִים And ruthless men |
|
תִּתְמֹךְ Holds firmly |
יִתְמְכוּ Hold firmly |
|
כָּבוֹד Honor |
עֹשֶׁר Wealth |
The proverb places these two sides next to each other so the reader feels the contrast without needing a long explanation.
5. Vocabulary Builder: Grace, Honor, Wealth
| Hebrew Word | Pronunciation | Core Root & Meaning | Ancient Concrete Insight |
|---|---|---|---|
| חֵן | ḥēn | “grace, favor, attractiveness” | A quality that draws goodwill and beauty toward a person. |
| כָּבוֹד | kāvōd | “honor, glory, weight” | The root idea is heaviness or weightiness, something substantial and respected. |
| עָרִיצִים | ʿārîtsîm | “ruthless men, violent people” | People marked by harsh force and overpowering behavior. |
| עֹשֶׁר | ʿōsher | “wealth, riches” | Material abundance gathered and held. |
| תִּתְמֹךְ | titmōkh | Root ת־מ־ךְ, “hold firmly, support” | The image is gripping or upholding something so it remains secure. |
6. Syntax Insight: Hebrew Wisdom Builds Through Balance
This proverb is not random description. It is carefully balanced Hebrew poetry.
Notice the mirrored structure:
Person → Verb → Object
אֵשֶׁת־חֵן → תִּתְמֹךְ → כָּבוֹד
עָרִיצִים → יִתְמְכוּ → עֹשֶׁר
The verse uses nearly identical grammatical structure on both sides. But the values are different:
- Grace is connected with honor.
- Ruthlessness is connected with wealth.
Hebrew wisdom literature often teaches by placing two roads side by side.
7. A Root Study on כָּבוֹד
The word כָּבוֹד, “honor” or “glory,” comes from a root connected with weight or heaviness.
In ancient Hebrew thought, something “weighty” was important, valuable, and worthy of respect.
That means the proverb is not talking about shallow popularity. The gracious woman holds firmly to something substantial and enduring.
8. Beginner Practice Activity: Follow the Parallel Pairs
Match each person with what they “hold firmly.”
| Hebrew Phrase | What Is Held Firmly? |
|---|---|
| אֵשֶׁת־חֵן | Honor or wealth? |
| עָרִיצִים | Honor or wealth? |
Click to Reveal the Scribal Answer
Answer:
אֵשֶׁת־חֵן holds firmly to כָּבוֹד, “honor.”
עָרִיצִים hold firmly to עֹשֶׁר, “wealth.”
The proverb compares what different kinds of people pursue and cling to most strongly.
What the Parallel Lines Quietly Teach
This proverb feels balanced because Hebrew poetry repeats structure while changing meaning. The same verb root, ת־מ־ךְ, appears on both sides, tying the lines together like matching beams.
But the objects reveal the deeper contrast. One side reaches for כָּבוֹד, honor with lasting weight. The other reaches for עֹשֶׁר, material wealth.
For beginners, this verse is a perfect doorway into Hebrew wisdom poetry. The language teaches not only through vocabulary, but through structure, repetition, and balance. The two halves mirror each other so closely that the reader naturally begins to compare the values they hold.
