Proverbs 16:12ExegesisTAB

Proverbs 16 : 12 Leadership | Justice | Stability
12. Linguistic Exegesis
The verse opens with the construct phrase toevat melakhim {תּוֹעֲבַת מְלָכִים | tô-‘ă-văt mə-lā-khîm}, linking “abomination” to “kings.” The Qal infinitive construct asot {עֲשׂוֹת | ‘ă-sôt} with its object resha {רֶשַׁע | ré-ša‘} forms a substantive clause denoting the objectionable act. The conjunction ki {כִּי | kî} introduces the causal rationale. The prepositional phrase bitzdaqah {בִצְדָקָה | bĭts-də-qâ} specifies the instrument of the following Qal imperfect yikon {יִכּוֹן | yik-kôn}, which conveys ongoing establishment, and kisse {כִּסֵּא | kis-sê} is its object. The antithetical parallelism between abhorrence of evil and the basis of stable rule is highlighted by placing the critique of wickedness before the justification of righteous governance.

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