כֻּלָּ֣ם נְ֭כֹחִים לַמֵּבִ֑ין וִֽ֝ישָׁרִ֗ים לְמֹ֣צְאֵי דָֽעַת׃
(Proverbs 8:9)
All of them are straightforward to the one who understands, and upright to those who find knowledge.
The Voice of Clarity
In the personification of Wisdom in Proverbs 8, this verse affirms that her words are transparent to the discerning. Grammatically, the verse uses parallel nominal clauses and adjectival predicates to convey moral and intellectual accessibility.
Nominal Clauses in Parallelism
The structure presents two parallel statements:
- כֻּלָּ֣ם נְ֭כֹחִים לַמֵּבִ֑ין – “All of them are straightforward to the one who understands.”
- וִֽ֝ישָׁרִ֗ים לְמֹ֣צְאֵי דָֽעַת – “And upright to those who find knowledge.”
Neither clause has an explicit verb, relying on ellipsis (the understood “to be” verb in the present tense) common in Biblical Hebrew.
Predicate–Subject Order
Both clauses front the predicate adjective:
- נְכֹחִים – “straightforward,” from the root נ־כ־ח, meaning “right, in front, direct.”
- יָשָׁר – “upright, straight,” in the masculine plural form here.
Placing the predicate first highlights the quality being described before identifying the audience.
Definiteness and Inclusiveness: כֻּלָּם
The verse begins with כֻּלָּם (“all of them”), referring contextually to the words of Wisdom in the preceding verses. Its placement signals comprehensiveness—there is nothing obscure or misleading in her speech.
Parallel Prepositional Phrases
Both predicates are followed by a lamed of advantage:
- לַמֵּבִ֑ין – “for the one who understands” (Hifil participle ms of ב־י־ן with the article).
- לְמֹצְאֵי דָֽעַת – “for those who find knowledge” (Qal participle mp of מ־צ־א in construct with דָּעַת).
The symmetry reinforces the poetic balance.
Syntax & Morphology Table
| Hebrew Phrase | Morphology | Function |
|---|---|---|
| כֻּלָּ֣ם | Independent pronoun, 3mp with כֹּל | Subject of both clauses, referring to all Wisdom’s sayings |
| נְ֭כֹחִים | Adjective mp, predicate position | Describes clarity and directness |
| לַמֵּבִ֑ין | Preposition + article + Hifil participle ms | Indicates recipient of the clarity |
| יְשָׁרִים | Adjective mp, predicate position | Denotes moral and intellectual uprightness |
| לְמֹצְאֵי דָעַת | Preposition + Qal participle mp + noun fs | Marks the audience that benefits from Wisdom’s uprightness |
When Grammar Mirrors Wisdom
This verse’s parallel clauses are themselves an example of what they teach: clarity, order, and uprightness. Just as Wisdom’s words are transparent to the discerning, so the syntax is transparent to the reader—a poetic match between form and message.