כִּֽי־גֹאֲלָ֥ם חָזָ֑ק הֽוּא־יָרִ֖יב אֶת־רִיבָ֣ם אִתָּֽךְ׃
Proverbs 23:11 contains a short but weighty statement about divine justice. It warns against oppressing the weak by appealing to the presence of a powerful גֹאֵל—a kinsman-redeemer or legal advocate. But the grammar reveals more than comfort—it portrays God as an active litigant: יָרִיב אֶת־רִיבָם, “He will plead their case.” This verse illustrates the convergence of legal, familial, and covenantal roles embedded in a single Hebrew root: ג־א־ל.
Literal Translation
“For their redeemer is strong; He will plead their case against you.”
Word-by-Word Morphology
- כִּֽי (kī) –
Root: – ;
Form: subordinating conjunction;
Translation: “For / because”;
Notes: Introduces the rationale or consequence for the implied warning in the preceding verse. - גֹאֲלָ֥ם (gōʾălām) –
Root: ג־א־ל;
Form: Qal participle masculine singular with 3mp suffix;
Translation: “their redeemer”;
Notes: Refers to a legal defender or avenger in familial or covenantal contexts. - חָזָ֑ק (ḥāzāq) –
Root: ח־ז־ק;
Form: adjective masculine singular;
Translation: “strong”;
Notes: Stresses the authority and ability of the גֹאֵל. - הוּא־יָרִיב (hū-yārīv) –
Root: ר־י־ב;
Form: pronoun + Qal imperfect 3ms;
Translation: “He will plead / contend”;
Notes: Legal term: to argue a case in court. - אֶת־רִיבָם (ʾet-rīvām) –
Root: ר־י־ב;
Form: direct object marker + masculine noun + 3mp suffix;
Translation: “their case / dispute” - אִתָּֽךְ (ʾittākh) –
Root: א־ת;
Form: preposition + 2fs suffix;
Translation: “with you” (feminine singular);
Notes: The adversary in this case is addressed directly and personally.
Semantic Field of גֹאֵל
The term גֹאֵל refers to one who redeems, rescues, or defends a relative, particularly in legal or financial distress. It carries overlapping connotations in Torah law:
- Leviticus 25:25 – Redeeming land or property sold by a relative
- Numbers 35:19 – The blood-avenger (גֹאֵל הַדָּם)
- Ruth 3–4 – The family redeemer who marries a widow to preserve the family line
In Proverbs 23:11, the גֹאֵל is not a human relative, but divine. God is cast in this role to underscore the danger of injustice: He is the one with both legal right and supernatural power to act.
God as Litigant: יָרִיב אֶת־רִיבָם
The verbal phrase יָרִיב אֶת־רִיבָם is a classic legal expression. The root ר־י־ב appears frequently in legal and prophetic contexts to describe disputing, litigating, or pleading a case. For example:
- Isaiah 1:17 – “Plead the cause of the widow” (רִיבוּ)
- Jeremiah 50:34 – “Their Redeemer is strong; the LORD of Hosts is His name; He will surely plead their cause.” – a parallel to this proverb
The use of both the noun רִיב and the verb יָרִיב in proximity forms a poetic and legal intensification. God is both advocate and judge, initiating legal redress on behalf of the oppressed.
Theology in Syntax: A Warning by Grammar
This verse assumes a larger context: the warning not to exploit the vulnerable, especially the orphan (see Proverbs 23:10). The grammar completes the argument:
| Clause | Function | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| כִּי־גֹאֲלָם חָזָק | Noun phrase: cause | Gives the reason for divine action |
| הוּא־יָרִיב אֶת־רִיבָם אִתָּךְ | Verbal clause: consequence | Predicts divine litigation against the oppressor |
The subject-pronoun הוּא (“he”) highlights and isolates the agent. This isn’t a general principle—it is personal. The warning is clear: if you wrong them, you contend with Him.
When God Goes to Court
Proverbs 23:11 delivers more than a proverb—it delivers a threat. Its language is legal, but its implications are theological. It warns every oppressor that behind the orphan stands not a silent victim, but a divine litigator.
Through compact, layered syntax, the verse turns grammar into judgment and structure into justice. It is a reminder that in the moral order of Scripture, every wronged case has a powerful Advocate—and every unjust act is already being filed for divine litigation.
