| 12. Linguistic Exegesis The verse begins with the prepositional phrase lifnei {לִפְנֵי | lə-pênê} ‘before’, introducing the noun shever {שֶׁבֶר | šĕ-ḇer} ‘destruction’. The imperfect verb yigbah {יִגְבַּהּ | yig-baḥ} expresses a resulting state of arrogance. The construct chain lev ish uses lev {לֵב | lēv} ‘heart’ and ish {אִישׁ | ʾîš} ‘man’ to indicate the subject. The conjunctional phrase ve-lifnei {וְלִפְנֵי | wə-lə-pênê} parallels the opening, leading to kavod {כָּבוֹד | kā-ḇōḏ} ‘honor’ and the absolute noun anavah {עֲנָוָה | ʿănā-wāh} ‘humility’. This chiastic structure (A B; B′ A′) links disposition and outcome, underscoring pride’s association with downfall and humility’s with honor. |