חֹושֵׂ֣ךְ אֲ֭מָרָיו יֹודֵ֣עַ דָּ֑עַת וְקַר־֝ר֗וּחַ אִ֣ישׁ תְּבוּנָֽה׃
One who restrains his words knows knowledge, and one who is cool of spirit is a man of understanding.
Explanation of Feature
This verse from Proverbs 17:27 showcases two poetic and grammatical features:
1. Construct chains (סְמִיכוּת), such as אִישׁ תְּבוּנָה (“a man of understanding”), where one noun modifies another in a genitive-like relationship.
2. Elliptical parallelism, in which the second clause mirrors the first but omits repeated grammatical elements, allowing readers to supply them from context.
Examples from Proverbs 17:27
| Phrase | Structure | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| חֹושֵׂךְ אֲמָרָיו | Participle + construct chain | “One who restrains his words” – אֲמָרָיו is in construct with a 3ms suffix (“his words”) |
| יֹודֵעַ דָּעַת | Participle + object noun | “knows knowledge” – a figure of speech denoting insight |
| וְקַר־רוּחַ | Construct chain (adj. + noun) | “cool of spirit” – idiom for self-controlled or calm |
| אִישׁ תְּבוּנָה | Construct chain | “a man of understanding” – wisdom literature term for a discerning person |
Related Grammatical Insight
– Construct chains often express qualities or relationships:
– אִישׁ חֶסֶד – “a man of kindness”
– דֶּרֶךְ חַיִּים – “the way of life”
– Participles like חֹושֵׂךְ and יֹודֵעַ function adjectivally and present timeless truths—a common feature in proverbs.
– The poetic device of parallelism allows the second clause (וְקַר־רוּחַ אִישׁ תְּבוּנָה) to function both as a restatement and enhancement of the first, reinforcing the value of self-restraint and discernment.
This proverb highlights the classical wisdom motif: mastery of one’s speech and emotions is a hallmark of true understanding.
