| 23. Linguistic Exegesis The proverb uses an antithetical parallelism contrasting two social groups. The first clause features the noun tachanunim {תַּחֲנוּנִים | ṭa-ḥă-nû-nîm} governed by the verb yedabber {יְדַבֶּר | yě-ḏab-běr}, forming a concessive sense. The particle ve- {וְ} introduces a shift to the second clause where ashir {עָשִׁיר | ʿā-šîr} pairs with ya’aneh {יַעֲנֶה | yă-‘ă-neh}, followed by azot {עַזּוֹת | ‘ă-zôt} functioning adverbially to intensify the manner of response. This structure highlights the rhetorical contrast between the poor’s humble petitions and the rich’s forceful replies. |