Proverbs 20:19ExegesisTAB

Proverbs 20 : 19 Secrecy | Slander | Association
19. Linguistic Exegesis
The clause begins with the participle goleh {גּֽוֹלֶה | gō-lēh} linked to sod {סּוֹד | sōd}, forming a construct that depicts the active disclosure of confidential information. The participle holekh {הוֹלֵ֣ךְ | hō-lēḵ} modifies rakhil {רָכִ֑יל | rā-ḥîl}, signaling continuous activity of slander. The conjunction vav with the Piel participle ulefoteh {וּלְפֹתֶ֥ה | ū-lə-pō-tēh} and its construct sefatav {שְׂ֝פָתָ֗יו | sə-phā-tāw} parallels the first warning with speech of the naïve. The final prohibition lo titarav {לֹ֣א תִתְעָרָֽב | lōʾ tit-ʿā-rāv} uses the Hitpael imperfect as a direct command against closeness. The structure highlights the dangers of harmful words and unwise associations.

More on this verse