עָרֽוּם׃

Alphabet Analysis

The word

1. word🔊 עָרֽוּם׃

   A-rum

   a prudent one or a shrewd one
2. phraseyour reading level🔊 קָל֣וֹן עָרֽוּם׃

   ka-LON A-rum

   dishonor or shame a prudent one or a shrewd one
3. clause🔊 וְכֹסֶ֖ה קָל֣וֹן עָרֽוּם׃

   ve-kho-SE ka-LON A-rum

   but one who covers or conceals dishonor or shame a prudent one or a shrewd one
4. sentence🔊 אֱוִ֗יל בַּ֭יּוֹם יִוָּדַ֣ע כַּעְס֑וֹ וְכֹסֶ֖ה קָל֣וֹן עָרֽוּם׃

   e-VIL ba-YOM yi-va-DA KA-e-so ve-kho-SE ka-LON A-rum

   a fool in the day or at the time is made known his vexation or his anger but one who covers or conceals dishonor or shame a prudent one or a shrewd one

Exegesis

The conjunction ve-khoseh {וְכֹסֶה | wə-kho·seh} ‘but covers’ introduces an antithetical clause, followed by the adjective arum {עָרוּם | ‘ā-rûm} ‘prudent’, which emphasizes deliberate restraint. The shift from the passive clause to the participial construction underscores the contrast between impulsive exposure of anger and intentional concealment of shame. A chiastic arrangement further highlights this opposition.

Root and etymology

ע־ר־ם🔊 ayin–resh–memayin–resh–mem

“be shrewd, prudent”

• 🔊 עֹרְמָה’o-rmâcraftinessProverbs 1:4