Introduction to Ecclesiastes 5:1
Ecclesiastes 5:1 presents a moral and spiritual exhortation regarding proper conduct when approaching the בֵּית הָאֱלֹהִים (beit ha-Elohim, “house of God”). This verse features key grammatical structures such as the imperative form (שְׁמֹר, “guard”) and the infinitive construct (לִשְׁמֹעַ, “to listen”). These forms are crucial in Biblical Hebrew for expressing commands and purposes, and their usage in this verse highlights the theological significance of reverent behavior.
שְׁמֹ֣ר רגליך כַּאֲשֶׁ֤ר תֵּלֵךְ֙ אֶל־בֵּ֣ית הָאֱלֹהִ֔ים וְקָרֹ֣וב לִשְׁמֹ֔עַ מִתֵּ֥ת הַכְּסִילִ֖ים זָ֑בַח כִּֽי־אֵינָ֥ם יֹודְעִ֖ים לַעֲשֹׂ֥ות רָֽע׃
Analysis of Key Words/Phrases
1. שְׁמֹ֣ר רגליך (shemor raglekha) – “Guard your foot” (imperative)
2. תֵּלֵךְ (telekh) – “you go” (imperfect)
3. בֵּית הָאֱלֹהִים (beit ha-Elohim) – “the house of God”
4. קָרֹ֣וב לִשְׁמֹ֔עַ (qarov lishmoa‘) – “draw near to listen” (infinitive construct)
5. מִתֵּ֥ת הַכְּסִילִ֖ים זָ֑בַח (mittet hakkesilim zavakh) – “than to give a sacrifice of fools”
6. יֹודְעִ֖ים לַעֲשֹׂ֥ות רָֽע (yod‘im la‘asot ra‘) – “knowing how to do evil”
Explanation of Grammatical Function
1. The Imperative Form: שְׁמֹ֣ר (Shemor)
The verb שְׁמֹר (shemor, “guard”) is an imperative form in the qal stem from the root שָׁמַר (shamar, “to guard, keep”).
– Imperative function: Directly commands the listener to “guard” or “watch.”
– Object: רגליך (raglekha, “your foot”), which metaphorically refers to one’s approach or conduct.
2. The Infinitive Construct לִשְׁמֹעַ (Lishmoa‘)
The phrase וְקָרֹ֣וב לִשְׁמֹ֔עַ (veqarov lishmoa‘, “and draw near to listen”) features לִשְׁמֹעַ, the infinitive construct of שָׁמַע (shama‘, “to hear, listen”).
– Infinitive construct expresses purpose: “to listen.”
– Prefixed לְ (le-) indicates intended action or result.
– Qal stem suggests general action rather than causation or intensity.
The contrast in the verse suggests listening is better than offering a foolish sacrifice, reinforcing a theme in Ecclesiastes regarding wisdom versus folly.
3. Construct Chain: מִתֵּ֥ת הַכְּסִילִ֖ים זָ֑בַח
The phrase מִתֵּ֥ת הַכְּסִילִ֖ים זָ֑בַח (mittet hakkesilim zavakh, “than to give a sacrifice of fools”) presents a construct chain where:
– תֵּת (tet, “giving”) is an infinitive construct from נָתַן (natan, “to give”).
– הַכְּסִילִים (hakkesilim, “the fools”) is the subject of the construct.
– זָבַח (zavakh, “sacrifice”) is the direct object.
The construct chain shows possession: “the giving of fools” (i.e., foolish offerings).
4. The Negative Particle with Imperfect: אֵינָ֥ם יֹודְעִ֖ים
The phrase כִּֽי־אֵינָ֥ם יֹודְעִ֖ים לַעֲשֹׂ֥ות רָֽע (ki-einam yod‘im la‘asot ra‘, “for they do not know how to do evil”) uses:
– אֵינָ֥ם (einam) – Negative particle meaning “they are not.”
– יֹודְעִ֖ים (yod‘im) – Participle, “knowing.”
– לַעֲשֹׂ֥ות (la‘asot) – Infinitive construct, “to do.”
This structure negates the participle: “They do not know how to do evil,” implying ignorance rather than active rebellion.
The Imperative and Infinitive Construct in Wisdom Literature
The imperative (שְׁמֹר) in Ecclesiastes 5:1 functions as a direct command, urging careful conduct when approaching the House of God. The infinitive construct (לִשְׁמֹעַ) expresses purpose, contrasting listening with offering foolish sacrifices. The construct chain (מִתֵּ֥ת הַכְּסִילִ֖ים זָ֑בַח) highlights the relationship between foolishness and improper worship. These grammatical structures emphasize the wisdom theme in Ecclesiastes, advocating mindful devotion over ritualistic formalism.
