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Folded Hands, Eaten Flesh: Learning Hebrew Through a Sharp Proverb
הַכְּסִיל֙ חֹבֵ֣ק אֶת־יָדָ֔יו וְאֹכֵ֖ל אֶת־בְּשָׂרֹֽו׃
(Ecclesiastes 4:5)
The fool folds his hands and eats his own flesh.
Word-by-Word Explanation
הַכְּסִיל – “the fool.” The הַ is the definite article (“the”), and כְּסִיל is a noun meaning a foolish or senseless person—someone who rejects wisdom and sound judgment.
חֹבֵק – “embraces” or “folds.” This is a participle from the root חָבַק (“to embrace, fold”). Here it vividly describes crossing the arms in idleness.
אֶת־יָדָיו – “his hands.” The particle אֶת marks the direct object.… Learn Hebrew
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