| 3. Linguistic Exegesis The proverb is a two-clause parataxis joined by the conjunction waw. It opens with ivvelet {אִוֶּ֣לֶת | ʾivveleṯ} ‘folly’ as the subject of the Piel imperfect verb tesallep {תְּסַלֵּף | təsallēp} ‘perverts’, with darko {דַּרְכּוֹ | ḏaṟkô} ‘his way’ as object. The second clause begins with wəʿal {וְעַל־ | wə-ʿal-} introducing the prepositional phrase Yahweh {יְהוָה | Yəhōwāh} ‘the LORD’, where libbô {לִבּוֹ | libbô} ‘his heart’ serves as subject of the Qal imperfect verb yizʿap̄ {יִזְעַף | yizʿap̄} ‘gets angry’. The waw conveys contrast: self-inflicted ruin is paired with misplaced blame on God, reinforcing the proverb’s moral warning. |