Introduction to Proverbs 22:1
Proverbs 22:1 emphasizes the value of a good name over material wealth. The verse opens with the Nifal participle נִבְחָר (nivḥar), meaning “chosen” or “preferred,” which plays a crucial role in shaping the meaning of the passage. This analysis will explore the morphology, syntactic function, and semantic significance of this participle within Biblical Hebrew grammar.
נִבְחָ֣ר שֵׁ֭ם מֵעֹ֣שֶׁר רָ֑ב מִכֶּ֥סֶף וּ֝מִזָּהָ֗ב חֵ֣ן טֹֽוב׃
Analysis of Key Words/Phrases
The Nifal participle נִבְחָר (nivḥar) appears at the beginning of the verse:
נִבְחָ֣ר שֵׁ֭ם
This phrase consists of:
- נִבְחָר (nivḥar) – “chosen” or “preferred” (Nifal participle)
- שֵׁם (shem) – “a name” (noun, subject)
The Nifal participle נִבְחָר is the focus of our grammatical analysis.
Explanation of Grammatical Function
Morphological Analysis of נִבְחָר
The participle נִבְחָר is derived from the root בָּחַר (b-ḥ-r), meaning “to choose.” It appears in the Nifal stem, which typically conveys passive or reflexive meaning.
Parsing Details
- Root: בָּחַר (b-ḥ-r)
- Form: Nifal Participle Masculine Singular
- Translation: “Chosen” or “Preferred”
The Function of the Nifal Participle
The Nifal binyan generally conveys:
- Passive Voice: The action is performed on the subject (e.g., “it is chosen”).
- Reflexive Voice: The subject experiences the action itself (e.g., “it chooses itself”).
Here, נִבְחָר carries a passive meaning: “A name is chosen” or “A name is preferred.”
Lexical and Semantic Nuances
The root בָּחַר (b-ḥ-r) appears frequently in Biblical Hebrew in the context of divine election or preference:
- Deuteronomy 7:6 – בָּחַר יְהוָה בָּכֶם (baḥar YHWH bākhem), “YHWH has chosen you.”
- Psalm 105:43 – עַמּוֹ בְּשִׂמְחָה בְחִירָיו בְּרִנָּה (ʿammo beśimḥah, beḥirāv berinnah), “His chosen ones with joy.”
In Proverbs 22:1, נִבְחָר emphasizes that a good name is not self-proclaimed but is valued by others, reinforcing its passive connotation.
Word Order and Syntax
The phrase נִבְחָר שֵׁם follows a participle-subject structure, which is common in Biblical Hebrew:
- נִבְחָר – “Chosen” (participle, functioning as a predicate adjective).
- שֵׁם – “A name” (subject, referring to reputation).
This structure emphasizes the quality of the noun (a chosen name) rather than an active action.
The Role of נִבְחָר in Proverbs 22:1
The use of the Nifal participle נִבְחָר in Proverbs 22:1 is essential for conveying that a good name is valued by others rather than self-imposed. The passive form underscores that reputation is something bestowed rather than claimed, aligning with the verse’s broader wisdom theme.
This grammatical choice reinforces the idea that social and ethical standing outweighs material wealth, a key motif in biblical wisdom literature.
