Proverbs 28:13ExegesisTAB

Proverbs 28 : 13 Confession | Mercy | Repentance
13. Linguistic Exegesis
The verse opens with the Piel participle mekhaseh {מְכַסֶּה | mə-ḵa-sê} ‘covering’, establishing an ongoing action. It pairs with the construct pshaʿav {פְּשָׁעָיו | pə-šā-ʿâv} ‘his transgressions’, marking possession. The negative particle lo {לֹא | lō} negates the Hiphil imperfect yatsliakh {יַצְלִיחַ | yaṣ-lî-aḥ} ‘will succeed’, underscoring the impossibility of concealment leading to success. The vav-conjunction links the active participles modeh {מוֹדֶה | mō-dé} ‘confessing’ and ʿōzēv {עֹזֵב | ʿō-zēv} ‘forsaking’, presenting a compound subject that is then rewarded by the Pual imperfect yerukham {יְרֻחָם | yə-rū-ḥām} ‘will be shown mercy’, highlighting divine passive response. This antithetical parallelism contrasts the futility of hiding sin with the assurance of mercy for those who confess and renounce.

More on this verse