| 3. Linguistic Exegesis The verse begins with the construct phrase b'pi-’êwîl {בְּֽפִי־אֱ֭וִיל | bə-pî-ʾêwîl} ‘from the mouth of a fool’, followed by the metaphorical noun phrase choter gaʿăwâh {חֹ֣טֶר גַּאֲוָ֑ה | ḥôṭer gaʿăwâh} ‘rod of pride’. The adversative conjunction waw {וְ | wə} introduces wə-sip̄tê ḥăḵāmîm {וְשִׂפְתֵי חֲכָמִים | wə-sip̄tê ḥăḵāmîm} ‘and the lips of the wise’, establishing a parallel contrast. The verb tišmôrêm {תִּשְׁמוּרֵֽם | tišmôrêm} ‘will keep safe’ conveys the protective result of wise speech. This structural contrast highlights the destructive outcome of foolish pride against the safeguarding power of wisdom. |