Tag Archives: Proverbs 2:1

“The Grammar of Hiding Treasure”: The Verb תִּצְפֹּ֥ן in Proverbs 2:1

Posted on February 1, 2022 by Biblical Hebrew
Introduction to Proverbs 2:1: Wisdom as a Stored Inheritance Proverbs 2:1 opens a conditional exhortation from a father to his son, a structure common to wisdom literature. The verse emphasizes the receptive posture necessary for wisdom, and it centers on a rich verb: תִּצְפֹּ֥ן—”you store up” or “you treasure.” This verb, tucked quietly in the latter half of the verse, conveys an entire worldview: wisdom is not just to be heard, but preserved, internalized, and guarded. This article explores the morphology, syntax, and poetic nuance of this key word.… Learn Hebrew
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The Morphology of Conditional Clauses and Imperative Forms in Proverbs 2:1

Posted on February 1, 2015 by Biblical Hebrew
Introduction to Proverbs 2:1 Proverbs 2:1 introduces a conditional clause that frames a wisdom teaching directed at the reader, portrayed as a “son.” This verse contains an implicit “if-then” structure, where the protasis (if-clause) is stated, and the apodosis (then-clause) is implied in the following verses. The verse consists of: A conditional verb in the imperfect (אִם־תִּקַּ֣ח, “if you take”). A parallel imperfect verb reinforcing the condition (תִּצְפֹּ֥ן, “you store up”). A direct object referring to wisdom’s teachings (אֲמָרָ֑י, “my words”; מִצְוֹתַ֗י, “my commandments”).… Learn Hebrew
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