| 5. Linguistic Exegesis The verse begins with the imperative aneh {עֲנֵ֣ה | ʿănê(h)} ‘answer’, directing the addressee to speak. The noun kesil {כְ֭סִיל | kə-sîl} ‘fool’ serves as object, with the prepositional phrase keivalto {כְּאִוַּלְתּ֑וֹ | kə-’î-wāl-tō} ‘according to his folly’ modifying the manner of response. The particle pen {פֶּן־ | pên} ‘lest’ introduces a purpose clause, followed by the imperfect yihyeh {יִהְיֶ֖ה | yi-hê-yâh} ‘he will be’, indicating a potential outcome. The idiom khakham b’einav {חָכָ֣ם בְּעֵינָֽיו | ḥā-khâm bə-’ê-înāv} ‘wise in his own eyes’ portrays self-deceptive arrogance. The Hebrew structure places the warning clause prominently, which is mirrored in the English by positioning the result clause after the command. |