| 2. Linguistic Exegesis This proverb begins with the infinitive construct lishmor {לִשְׁמֹ֥ר | liš-mōr} ‘to keep,’ functioning as a purpose clause linked to the preceding exhortation. The coordinated objects mezimmot {מְזִמּוֹת | mə-zim-mōṯ} and da‘at {דַעַת | dā-‘aṯ} form the ethical virtues to be preserved. The nominal construct sefatékha {שְׂפָתֶ֥יךָ | sə-fā-ṯê-ḵā} ‘your lips,’ with its second person suffix, serves as the subject of the jussive verb yintzoru {יִנְצֹרוּ | yin-ṣō-rū} ‘they may guard.’ In translating, we render the Hebrew verb-object-subject order into a more natural English structure while retaining the volitive nuance. The juxtaposition of inner planning and outward speech highlights the moral coherence between intention and expression. |