| 6. Linguistic Exegesis The verse begins with a prohibitive command comprised of the particle al {אַל | ʾal} 'not' prefixed to the verb taazvehah {תַּעַזְבֶ֥הָ | taʿaz-vē-hā} 'you forsake her'. This is counterbalanced by the positive imperative ehaveha {אֱהָבֶ֥הָ | ʾə-hā-vē-hā} 'love her', forming a chiastic structure. Each imperative clause is followed by a result clause introduced by the conjunction vav on wetishmerka {וְתִשְׁמְרֶ֑ךָּ | wə-tiš-mə-rə-kā} 'and she will keep you' and wetitsreka {וְתִצְּרֶֽךָּ | wə-tiṣ-rə-kā} 'and she will guard you', highlighting wisdom’s protective agency. The parallel syntax underscores the reciprocal fidelity between the listener and wisdom. |