| 12. Linguistic Exegesis The verse employs a poetic simile pairing neẓem {נֶזֶם | neẓem} ‘earring’ with ḥălî-kātem {חֲלִי־כָתֶם | ḥălî-kātem} ‘ornament of fine gold’ to convey value and beauty. The Hiphil participle mōḵîaḥ {מוֹכִיחַ | mōḵîaḥ} ‘one who reproves’ parallels the Qal participle šōmēa‘ {שֹׁמָעַת | šōmēa‘} ‘listening’ in characteristic wisdom poetry. The vav-conjunction prefixed to ḥălî-kātem emphasizes the second image in the simile. The construct chain ‘ornament of fine gold’ binds two nouns, while the prepositional phrase ʿal ʾōzen šōmēa‘ attaches the action of reproving to a receptive hearer, highlighting the fitting relationship of wise correction and a willing listener. |