בְּרֹ֣ב דְּ֭בָרִים לֹ֣א יֶחְדַּל־פָּ֑שַׁע וְחֹשֵׂ֖ךְ שְׂפָתָ֣יו מַשְׂכִּֽיל׃
(Proverbs 10:19)
In the multitude of words transgression will not cease, but the one who restrains his lips is prudent.
Proverbs 10:19 is one of the most linguistically elegant maxims in the Book of Proverbs. It presents a concise moral truth through a carefully balanced antithetical parallelism — a hallmark of Hebrew poetic structure. The verse contrasts two modes of speech: the verbosity that invites sin and the restraint that reveals wisdom. Its grammar not only conveys moral instruction but also embodies it. The verse’s economy of words is itself a performance of what it teaches — wisdom through verbal moderation.
Clause A: בְּרֹב דְּבָרִים לֹא יֶחְדַּל־פָּשַׁע
- בְּרֹב: Preposition בְּ (“in”) + noun רֹב (“multitude, abundance”) — “in the multitude.”
- דְּבָרִים: Noun plural of דָּבָר (“word, speech, matter”) — “of words.”
- לֹא יֶחְדַּל: Qal imperfect 3ms of חדל (“to cease, to refrain”) with negation לֹא — “will not cease.”
- פָּשַׁע: Noun (“transgression, offense, sin”).
The prepositional phrase בְּרֹב דְּבָרִים sets the scene: a condition of excessive speech. The imperfect verb יֶחְדַּל (“will not cease”) introduces the consequence — unending wrongdoing. The clause, therefore, expresses a timeless principle: when words multiply, sin persists. The syntactic relationship between abundance (רֹב) and non-cessation (לֹא יֶחְדַּל) captures the moral physics of speech — verbal excess begets moral failure.
The noun פָּשַׁע (from the root פ־שׁ־ע, “to rebel, transgress”) often carries connotations of defiance or moral breach. Its placement at the end of the first colon emphasizes the outcome — sin is the inevitable residue of unchecked speech. Hebrew poetic syntax achieves emphasis not through length but through placement: the final word bears the thematic weight.
Clause B: וְחֹשֵׂךְ שְׂפָתָיו מַשְׂכִּיל
- וְחֹשֵׂךְ: Qal participle masculine singular of חָשַׂךְ (“to withhold, restrain”), with conjunction וְ — “and the one who restrains.”
- שְׂפָתָיו: Noun plural שָׂפָה (“lip”) + suffix 3ms — “his lips.”
- מַשְׂכִּיל: Hiphil participle masculine singular of שׂכל (“to understand, to act wisely”) — “is prudent / acts wisely.”
This clause shifts from observation to evaluation. The participial form חֹשֵׂךְ portrays an ongoing disposition — the one who habitually restrains speech. The direct object שְׂפָתָיו localizes the restraint at the organ of speech. The result is expressed by another participle, מַשְׂכִּיל, marking not a single act but a state of being — “he is wise.” The syntax embodies calm stability: while the first clause races with action (“will not cease”), the second rests in continuity (“is wise”).
Parallelism and Antithesis
The verse employs antithetical parallelism, the most frequent type in Hebrew wisdom poetry. Each colon is structured symmetrically but with inverse meaning:
| Clause | Hebrew Text | Grammatical Core | Moral Emphasis |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | בְּרֹב דְּבָרִים לֹא יֶחְדַּל־פָּשַׁע | Condition + Imperfect Verb | Too many words lead to sin |
| B | וְחֹשֵׂךְ שְׂפָתָיו מַשְׂכִּיל | Participle + Object + Result | Restraint reveals wisdom |
The grammatical parallelism mirrors moral balance. The two lines contain almost equal syllabic weight. The rhythm slows from the first clause’s tension (“will not cease from transgression”) to the calm cadence of the second (“is prudent”). The structure itself models restraint — grammar imitating ethics.
Lexical and Semantic Observations
- דְּבָרִים (“words”) — denotes both speech and matter. Proverbs often uses it as a metonym for discourse, reflecting moral accountability in speech.
- פָּשַׁע (“transgression”) — from a root meaning “to rebel.” Its usage in wisdom literature emphasizes sin arising from negligence or pride rather than ignorance.
- חָשַׂךְ (“to restrain”) — denotes deliberate withholding. Here it contrasts not with silence itself but with discipline — speech governed by discernment.
- מַשְׂכִּיל (“wise, prudent”) — from שׂכל, “to succeed through understanding.” The participle suggests continual habit rather than isolated act.
Masoretic Cadence and Poetic Symmetry
The Masoretic accentuation divides the verse into two balanced cola, separated by a major pause (at פָּשַׁע). The sound pattern reinforces meaning: soft dental and guttural consonants (דּ, ל, שׂ) give the verse a deliberate, meditative flow. The phonetic economy mirrors the moral virtue it teaches — control in sound as in sense.
The Theology of Grammar: Restraint as Wisdom
In Hebrew, wisdom (חָכְמָה) is often expressed not through abstract doctrine but through grammar and rhythm. The shift from imperfect (יֶחְדַּל) to participle (מַשְׂכִּיל) embodies the moral movement from restless speech to stable wisdom. The first clause is open-ended — sin “will not cease”; the second is settled — the wise “is.” The morphology itself teaches spiritual formation: wisdom is not spontaneous insight but sustained restraint.
When Syntax Becomes Moral Form
Proverbs 10:19 demonstrates that the grammar of Hebrew wisdom is the grammar of character. The proliferation of verbs and nouns in the first half contrasts with the brevity of the second. The verse does what it says: the first colon overflows; the second holds its tongue. Through syntax, rhythm, and lexical economy, the inspired poet transforms moral truth into linguistic art — a reminder that true wisdom speaks only when necessary.