The Writings - with the music of the te'amim

And finally, The Writings, Psalms (thlim), Proverbs (miwli), Job (aiob), (3 'books of truth' - so named after their first letters a-m-t, aleph for Job, mem for Proverbs, and taf for the Psalms), The Five Scrolls (5 wir hwirim, rut, aich, qhlt, astr), Daniel (dnial), Ezra-Nehemiah (yzra-nkmih) and Chronicles (dibri himim a & b) (3). 1123 pages.

Total pages in this form, single line of music for recitation: 4,156 comprised of Torah 1,032, Prophets 2,001, Writings 1,123. My 6000 page guess in 2013 was over estimated by 50%.

And now, having done these simple collations, who knows, I might think of something more substantial to do, like going through my translation again, a full pass. Anyone game for such an exercise? I suspect it is a multi-year effort.

Lullaby for an infant humanity

The incarnation role in my oratorio is taken by the harp. Here is a duet for the harp and alto (who must be wisdom) with an optional soprano second part at the end. After hearing yesterday's reading for Trinity, I clearly saw this passage would fill a hole in my design, a hole that I had created by moving Psalm 19 to day 1. So I looked at it and what do you know, it formed itself into a lullaby.

Verse 23 has an astonishingly simple shape. It has no mid-verse rest but is simply g, f#, e. "From everlasting I have offered libation from the beginning, out of the precedents of earth." It shares this phrase with Psalms 76:5. "Light-giving you are more excellent than mountains of prey."

 I have begun a presentation of Jonah based on the music of the accents - we'll see if it turns out. Allow me a few months elapsed time. I am just working on the storm scene. I think chapter 2 will provide some hilarity and at least one moral chorus.

Jonah is ready (July 27)
Unleashing Leviathan here. (unleashed?)

Much more to do when I find performers...

Composers - look here - hundreds of pages of inspirational possibilities - you too could write an oratorio! Or a song - using the melodies that are written into the Biblical text.

Proverbs 25

The last puzzle pieces for the books of truth, ת Psalms, מ Proverbs, and א Job, אמת. I stuffed a few bits in that did not seem to fit well. I was doubting if I could even finish. (Holidays for the next week - no computer.)

There are undoubtedly several pieces under the carpet or stuck in the sofa. But 100% of the poetry is drafted, or read at least once. There is no doubt it will be revisited. Some well-known phrases have bitten the dust as usual, but such is the nature of playing with sound and concordance. I could not use heap, and the coals are just coals, not necessarily burning.

The word order in the traditional English in this section is quite changed from the Hebrew (unnecessarily), as if the translators were unaware of the cadence of the accents. But perhaps the men of Hezekiah had a standard that the traditional English translators have considered awkward.

And they were quinces, of course.

I have stuck with some very early decisions, and I wonder if I could change them. I wonder for instance, if I could eliminate being as a gloss for נפשׁ. Somehow I doubt it, but it is not an optimum gloss. Note the reflection of verse 13 in Psalm 23.

Remember in my tongue, רעה is not neighbour. Associate, friend, shepherd, are the glosses I use for רעה. Love your neighbour etc are רעה, not שׁכן (also glossed as neighbour in some translations). So where you read associate, think (if you are old school) the generic obligatory ethic towards neighbour.

Proverbs 25		Fn		Min	Max	Syll
גַּם־אֵ֭לֶּה מִשְׁלֵ֣י שְׁלֹמֹ֑ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר הֶ֝עְתִּ֗יקוּ אַנְשֵׁ֤י ׀ חִזְקִיָּ֬ה מֶֽלֶךְ־יְהוּדָֽה	1		Also these are the proverbs of Solomon, that men of Hezekiah king of Judah had transcribed.	3e	4C	8 15
כְּבֹ֣ד אֱ֭לֹהִים הַסְתֵּ֣ר דָּבָ֑ר וּכְבֹ֥ד מְ֝לָכִ֗ים חֲקֹ֣ר דָּבָֽר	2		The glory of God is to hide a matter, and the glory of sovereigns is to examine a matter.	3e	4B	9 9
שָׁמַ֣יִם לָ֭רוּם וָאָ֣רֶץ לָעֹ֑מֶק וְלֵ֥ב מְ֝לָכִ֗ים אֵ֣ין חֵֽקֶר	3		Heaven for exaltation and earth for the deeps, but the heart of sovereigns is beyond examining.	3e	4B	10 8
הָג֣וֹ סִיגִ֣ים מִכָּ֑סֶף וַיֵּצֵ֖א לַצֹּרֵ֣ף כֶּֽלִי	4		Ponder quietly swill from silver, and a vessel will emerge from the crucible.	3e	4B	7 8
הָג֣וֹ רָ֭שָׁע לִפְנֵי־מֶ֑לֶךְ וְיִכּ֖וֹן בַּצֶּ֣דֶק כִּסְאֽוֹ	5		Ponder quietly wickedness before a sovereign, and established in righteousness is its throne.	3e	4B	7 8
אַל־תִּתְהַדַּ֥ר לִפְנֵי־מֶ֑לֶךְ וּבִמְק֥וֹם גְּ֝דֹלִ֗ים אַֽל־תַּעֲמֹֽד	6		Do not honour yourself before a king, and in the place of the great, do not stand.	3e	4A	7 10
כִּ֤י ט֥וֹב אֲמָר־לְךָ֗ עֲ‍ֽלֵ֫ה הֵ֥נָּה מֵֽ֭הַשְׁפִּ֣ילְךָ לִפְנֵ֣י נָדִ֑יב אֲשֶׁ֖ר רָא֣וּ עֵינֶֽיךָ	7	C	For better it be said to you, Come up here, than you be humbled before a prince that your eyes had seen.	3e	4C	10 8 7
אַל־תֵּצֵ֥א לָרִ֗ב מַ֫הֵ֥ר פֶּ֣ן מַה־תַּ֭עֲשֶׂה בְּאַחֲרִיתָ֑הּ בְּהַכְלִ֖ים אֹתְךָ֣ רֵעֶֽךָ	8		Do not go forth to strive impetuously, for what will you do in its aftermath, should your associate humiliate you?	3e	4B	7 10 8
רִֽ֭יבְךָ רִ֣יב אֶת־רֵעֶ֑ךָ וְס֖וֹד אַחֵ֣ר אַל־תְּגָֽל	9	g	Strive your strife with your associate, and the deliberation afterwards, do not disclose.	3e	4B	7 7
פֶּֽן־יְחַסֶּדְךָ֥ שֹׁמֵ֑עַ וְ֝דִבָּתְךָ֗ לֹ֣א תָשֽׁוּב	10		Lest one who hears show you mercy, and your defamation not turn away.	3e	4B	8 7
תַּפּוּחֵ֣י זָ֭הָב בְּמַשְׂכִּיּ֥וֹת כָּ֑סֶף דָּ֝בָ֗ר דָּבֻ֥ר עַל־אָפְנָֽיו	11		Quinces of gold in icons of silver, a word roundly spoken.	3e	4B	11 7
נֶ֣זֶם זָ֭הָב וַחֲלִי־כָ֑תֶם מוֹכִ֥יחַ חָ֝כָ֗ם עַל־אֹ֥זֶן שֹׁמָֽעַת	12	B	An earring of gold or a jewel of fine gold, one who is wise who corrects an ear that hears.	3e	4B	8 11
כְּצִנַּת־שֶׁ֨לֶג ׀ בְּי֬וֹם קָצִ֗יר צִ֣יר נֶ֭אֱמָן לְשֹׁלְחָ֑יו וְנֶ֖פֶשׁ אֲדֹנָ֣יו יָשִֽׁיב	13		As a grappling hook of snow in the day of a harvest, a faithful notification to its senders, and the being of its master it restores.	3e	4B	16 8
נְשִׂיאִ֣ים וְ֭רוּחַ וְגֶ֣שֶׁם אָ֑יִן אִ֥ישׁ מִ֝תְהַלֵּ֗ל בְּמַתַּת־שָֽׁקֶר	14		Mists and wind and shower there was none, a person boasting in a false donation.	3e	4B	11 9
בְּאֹ֣רֶךְ אַ֭פַּיִם יְפֻתֶּ֣ה קָצִ֑ין וְלָשׁ֥וֹן רַ֝כָּ֗ה תִּשְׁבָּר־גָּֽרֶם	15		By patience with anger, a dictator may be cajoled, and a tender tongue breaks strong bones.	3e	4B	10 9
דְּבַ֣שׁ מָ֭צָאתָ אֱכֹ֣ל דַּיֶּ֑ךָּ פֶּן־תִּ֝שְׂבָּעֶ֗נּוּ וַהֲקֵֽאתֽוֹ	16		Honey you found? Eat only enough for you, lest you are sated with it and you disgorge it.	3e	4B	10 9
הֹקַ֣ר רַ֭גְלְךָ מִבֵּ֣ית רֵעֶ֑ךָ פֶּן־יִ֝שְׂבָּעֲךָ֗ וּשְׂנֵאֶֽךָ	17		Make your foot rare from the house of your associate, lest he be sated with you and hate you.	3e	4B	10 9
מֵפִ֣יץ וְ֭חֶרֶב וְחֵ֣ץ שָׁנ֑וּן אִ֥ישׁ עֹנֶ֥ה בְ֝רֵעֵ֗הוּ עֵ֣ד שָֽׁקֶר	18		Dispersal and sword and sharp arrow, a person inflicting false witness against its associate.	3e	4B	9 10
שֵׁ֣ן רֹ֭עָה וְרֶ֣גֶל מוּעָ֑דֶת מִבְטָ֥ח בּ֝וֹגֵ֗ד בְּי֣וֹם צָרָֽה	19	B	A tooth-ache or a foot out of joint, the trust of treachery in the day of trouble.	3e	4B	9 8
מַ֥עֲדֶה בֶּ֨גֶד ׀ בְּי֣וֹם קָ֭רָה חֹ֣מֶץ עַל־נָ֑תֶר וְשָׁ֥ר בַּ֝שִּׁרִ֗ים עַ֣ל לֶב־רָֽע	20	f	An unstable garment on a cold day, vinegar on alkali, and a song sung to a heart dejected.	3e	4B	14 8
אִם־רָעֵ֣ב שֹׂ֭נַאֲךָ הַאֲכִלֵ֣הוּ לָ֑חֶם וְאִם־צָ֝מֵ֗א הַשְׁקֵ֥הוּ מָֽיִם	21		If one who hates you is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if thirsty, give him water to drink.	3e	4B	14 9
כִּ֤י גֶֽחָלִ֗ים אַ֭תָּה חֹתֶ֣ה עַל־רֹאשׁ֑וֹ וַֽ֝יהוָ֗ה יְשַׁלֶּם־לָֽךְ	22	C	For coals you will stack on his head, and Yahweh will repay you.	3e	4C	11 6
ר֣וּחַ צָ֭פוֹן תְּח֣וֹלֵֽל גָּ֑שֶׁם וּפָנִ֥ים נִ֝זְעָמִ֗ים לְשׁ֣וֹן סָֽתֶר	23	B	A north wind writhes with heavy rain, and an indignant presence hides a tongue.	3e	4B	9 10
ט֗וֹב שֶׁ֥בֶת עַל־פִּנַּת־גָּ֑ג מֵאֵ֥שֶׁת מִ֝דְיָנִ֗ים וּבֵ֥ית חָֽבֶר	24	~	Better to inhabit the corner of a roof, than a wife of dissension and a charmed house.	3e	4A	7 10
מַ֣יִם קָ֭רִים עַל־נֶ֣פֶשׁ עֲיֵפָ֑ה וּשְׁמוּעָ֥ה ט֝וֹבָ֗ה מֵאֶ֥רֶץ מֶרְחָֽק	25	B	Cold water to an exhausted throat, so is a good report from a distant land.	3e	4B	9 10
מַעְיָ֣ן נִ֭רְפָּשׂ וּמָק֣וֹר מָשְׁחָ֑ת צַ֝דִּ֗יק מָ֣ט לִפְנֵֽי־רָשָֽׁע	26		From a submissive spring and from a fountain impaired, a righteous one dislodged in the face of wickedness.	3e	4B	9 6
אָ֘כֹ֤ל דְּבַ֣שׁ הַרְבּ֣וֹת לֹא־ט֑וֹב וְחֵ֖קֶר כְּבֹדָ֣ם כָּבֽוֹד	27	~	To eat honey to excess is not good, nor to examine their glory, is glory.	3e	4C	8 8
עִ֣יר פְּ֭רוּצָה אֵ֣ין חוֹמָ֑ה אִ֝֗ישׁ אֲשֶׁ֤ר אֵ֖ין מַעְצָ֣ר לְרוּחֽוֹ	28	B	A city breached without a wall, someone that is without containment for its spirit.	3e	4C	7 9

Proverbs 24

One chapter of the books of truth left. One chapter of poetry. What will I do for respite? Verses 33-34 with preamble repeat a verse of chapter 6 with slightly differing spelling.

Proverbs 24		Fn		Min	Max	Syll
אַל־תְּ֭קַנֵּא בְּאַנְשֵׁ֣י רָעָ֑ה וְאַל־תִּ֝תְאָ֗יו לִהְי֥וֹת אִתָּֽם	1		Do not be jealous of evil persons, and do not desire to be with them.	3e	4B	9 8
כִּי־שֹׁ֭ד יֶהְגֶּ֣ה לִבָּ֑ם וְ֝עָמָ֗ל שִׂפְתֵיהֶ֥ם תְּדַבֵּֽרְנָה	2		For their heart meditates devastation, and misery their lips speak.	3e	4B	6 10
בְּ֭חָכְמָה יִבָּ֣נֶה בָּ֑יִת וּ֝בִתְבוּנָ֗ה יִתְכּוֹנָֽן	3	g	In wisdom a house is built, and in discernment it is established.	3e	4B	8 7
וּ֭בְדַעַת חֲדָרִ֣ים יִמָּלְא֑וּ כָּל־ה֖וֹן יָקָ֣ר וְנָעִֽים	4	g	And in knowledge rooms are filled, all precious and pleasant value.	3e	4B	9 7
גֶּֽבֶר־חָכָ֥ם בַּע֑וֹז וְאִֽישׁ־דַּ֝֗עַת מְאַמֶּץ־כֹּֽחַ	5		One who is wise prevails against strength, but a person of knowledge assures power.	3e	4A	6 9
כִּ֣י בְ֭תַחְבֻּלוֹת תַּעֲשֶׂה־לְּךָ֣ מִלְחָמָ֑ה וּ֝תְשׁוּעָ֗ה בְּרֹ֣ב יוֹעֵֽץ	6	B	For through pledges will you make for yourself war? But there is safety in much consultation.	3e	4B	13 7
רָאמ֣וֹת לֶֽאֱוִ֣יל חָכְמ֑וֹת בַּ֝שַּׁ֗עַר לֹ֣א יִפְתַּח־פִּֽיהוּ	7		High ground for the obstinate is shrewdness. In the gate, it will not open its mouth.	3e	4B	7 8
מְחַשֵּׁ֥ב לְהָרֵ֑עַ ל֝֗וֹ בַּֽעַל־מְזִמּ֥וֹת יִקְרָֽאוּ	8		Who devises to do evil, the superior schemer they will call him.	3e	4A	7 9
זִמַּ֣ת אִוֶּ֣לֶת חַטָּ֑את וְתוֹעֲבַ֖ת לְאָדָ֣ם לֵֽץ	9		The agenda of the obstinate, sin, and an abomination to an earthling, scorn.	3e	4B	7 8
הִ֭תְרַפִּיתָ בְּי֥וֹם צָרָ֗ה צַ֣ר כֹּחֶֽכָה	10	g	You are timid in the day of trouble? Troubled is your power.	3e	4B	12
הַ֭צֵּל לְקֻחִ֣ים לַמָּ֑וֶת וּמָטִ֥ים לַ֝הֶ֗רֶג אִם־תַּחְשֽׂוֹךְ	11	g	Deliver those taken to death, and those moved to slay. Or do you keep back?	3e	4B	8 9
כִּֽי־תֹאמַ֗ר הֵן֮ לֹא־יָדַ֪עְנ֫וּ זֶ֥ה הֲ‍ֽלֹא־תֹ֘כֵ֤ן לִבּ֨וֹת ׀ הֽוּא־יָבִ֗ין וְנֹצֵ֣ר נַ֭פְשְׁךָ ה֣וּא יֵדָ֑ע וְהֵשִׁ֖יב לְאָדָ֣ם כְּפָעֳלֽוֹ	12		But you said, Lo, we did not know this. Will not he who stabilizes hearts discern? And he who preserves you, he knows, and he will return to an earthling according to its works.	3d	4C	7 17 10
אֱכָל־בְּנִ֣י דְבַ֣שׁ כִּי־ט֑וֹב וְנֹ֥פֶת מָ֝ת֗וֹק עַל־חִכֶּֽךָ	13		Eat, my child, honey, for it is good, and the honeycomb, sweet against your palate.	3e	4B	8 9
כֵּ֤ן ׀ דְּעֶ֥ה חָכְמָ֗ה לְנַ֫פְשֶׁ֥ךָ אִם־מָ֭צָאתָ וְיֵ֣שׁ אַחֲרִ֑ית וְ֝תִקְוָתְךָ֗ לֹ֣א תִכָּרֵֽת	14	C	Such is the knowledge of wisdom to your being, if you so find. And there is a latter end, so your expectation will not be cut off.	3e	4C	9 9 8
אַל־תֶּאֱרֹ֣ב רָ֭שָׁע לִנְוֵ֣ה צַדִּ֑יק אַֽל־תְּשַׁדֵּ֥ד רִבְצוֹ	15		Do not lie in wait, wicked one, for the home of the righteous one, Do not devastate his reclining.	3e	4B	10 6
כִּ֤י שֶׁ֨בַע ׀ יִפּ֣וֹל צַדִּ֣יק וָקָ֑ם וּ֝רְשָׁעִ֗ים יִכָּשְׁל֥וּ בְרָעָֽה	16	C	For seven times a righteous one will fall and he will arise, but the wicked will stumble into evil.	3e	4C	9 9
בִּנְפֹ֣ל אֽ֭וֹיִבְךָ אַל־תִּשְׂמָ֑ח וּ֝בִכָּשְׁל֗וֹ אַל־יָגֵ֥ל לִבֶּֽךָ	17		When your enemy falls, do not be glad, and when he stumbles, let not your heart rejoice.	3e	4B	8 10
פֶּן־יִרְאֶ֣ה יְ֭הוָה וְרַ֣ע בְּעֵינָ֑יו וְהֵשִׁ֖יב מֵעָלָ֣יו אַפּֽוֹ	18		Lest Yahweh see and it is evil in his eyes, then he turn from him his anger.	3e	4B	10 8
אַל־תִּתְחַ֥ר בַּמְּרֵעִ֑ים אַל־תְּ֝קַנֵּ֗א בָּרְשָׁעִֽים	19		Do not burn about evildoers, do not be jealous about the wicked.	3e	4A	6 7
כִּ֤י ׀ לֹֽא־תִהְיֶ֣ה אַחֲרִ֣ית לָרָ֑ע נֵ֖ר רְשָׁעִ֣ים יִדְעָֽךְ	20	C	For there will not be a latter end for evil. The lamp of the wicked will be extinguished.	3e	4C	9 6
יְרָֽא־אֶת־יְהוָ֣ה בְּנִ֣י וָמֶ֑לֶךְ עִם־שׁ֝וֹנִ֗ים אַל־תִּתְעָרָֽב	21		Fear Yahweh, my child, for he reigns. With those who vary, do not intermingle.	3e	4B	10 7
כִּֽי־פִ֭תְאֹם יָק֣וּם אֵידָ֑ם וּפִ֥יד שְׁ֝נֵיהֶ֗ם מִ֣י יוֹדֵֽעַ	22		For suddenly their misfortune will arise, and who knows the disaster of both of them.	3e	4B	7 9
גַּם־אֵ֥לֶּה לַֽחֲכָמִ֑ים הַֽכֵּר־פָּנִ֖ים בְּמִשְׁפָּ֣ט בַּל־טֽוֹב	23		Even these are for the shrewd. To recognize faces in the judgment is not good.	3e	4B	7 9
אֹ֤מֵ֨ר ׀ לְרָשָׁע֮ צַדִּ֪יק אָ֥תָּה יִקְּבֻ֥הוּ עַמִּ֑ים יִזְעָמ֥וּהוּ לְאֻמִּֽים	24	C	Who says to the wicked, You are a righteous one, peoples will pierce him tribes will be indignant to him.	3d	4C	14 7
וְלַמּוֹכִיחִ֥ים יִנְעָ֑ם וַֽ֝עֲלֵיהֶ֗ם תָּב֥וֹא בִרְכַּת־טֽוֹב	25		But for the referees, pleasure, and on them comes the blessing of good.	3e	4A	7 9
שְׂפָתַ֥יִם יִשָּׁ֑ק מֵ֝שִׁ֗יב דְּבָרִ֥ים נְכֹחִֽים	26		Lips he kisses, for one who returns straightforward words.	3e	4A	5 8
הָ֘כֵ֤ן בַּח֨וּץ ׀ מְלַאכְתֶּ֗ךָ וְעַתְּדָ֣הּ בַּשָּׂדֶ֣ה לָ֑ךְ אַ֝חַ֗ר וּבָנִ֥יתָ בֵיתֶֽךָ	27	~	Establish outside your affairs, and be eager in the field for yourself. Afterwards you will build your house.	3e	4C	16 9
אַל־תְּהִ֣י עֵד־חִנָּ֣ם בְּרֵעֶ֑ךָ וַ֝הֲפִתִּ֗יתָ בִּשְׂפָתֶֽיךָ	28		Do not be a witness for nothing against your associate, or seduce with your lips.	3e	4B	10 9
אַל־תֹּאמַ֗ר כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר עָֽשָׂה־לִ֭י כֵּ֤ן אֶֽעֱשֶׂה־לּ֑וֹ אָשִׁ֖יב לָאִ֣ישׁ כְּפָעֳלֽוֹ	29		Do not say, As he dealt with me, so I will deal for him. I will return to each according to its works.	3e	4C	14 8
עַל־שְׂדֵ֣ה אִישׁ־עָצֵ֣ל עָבַ֑רְתִּי וְעַל־כֶּ֝֗רֶם אָדָ֥ם חֲסַר־לֵֽב	30		Over the field of a slothful person I crossed, and over the vineyard of an earthling lacking in heart,	3e	4B	9 9
וְהִנֵּ֨ה עָ֘לָ֤ה כֻלּ֨וֹ ׀ קִמְּשֹׂנִ֗ים כָּסּ֣וּ פָנָ֣יו חֲרֻלִּ֑ים וְגֶ֖דֶר אֲבָנָ֣יו נֶהֱרָֽסָה	31		And behold all of it an ascendance of weeds. Nettles covered its face, and the fence of its stones was overthrown.	3e	4C	17 10
וָֽאֶחֱזֶ֣ה אָ֭נֹכִֽי אָשִׁ֣ית לִבִּ֑י רָ֝אִ֗יתִי לָקַ֥חְתִּי מוּסָֽר	32		And I myself grasped fundamentals in my heart. I saw. I received mentoring.	3e	4B	11 8
מְעַ֣ט שֵׁ֭נוֹת מְעַ֣ט תְּנוּמ֑וֹת מְעַ֓ט ׀ חִבֻּ֖ק יָדַ֣יִם לִשְׁכָּֽב	33		A little sleep, a little slumber, a little clasping of hands to lie down,	3e	4B	9 8
וּבָֽא־מִתְהַלֵּ֥ךְ רֵישֶׁ֑ךָ וּ֝מַחְסֹרֶ֗יךָ כְּאִ֣ישׁ מָגֵֽן	34		so comes a traveler, your want, and your deprivation, as someone shielded.	3e	4B	8 9

Proverbs 23

It is a source of manifold misconceptions that [Torah] is customarily translated "Law" ... George F Moore, Judaism in the First Centuries of the Christian Era, cited in William Morrow, An Introduction to Biblical Law.

This is to say that when we have read the canonical text itself, even closely, we are only at the beginning of the journey, and we may not even be there. If we have read only in translation or without history or without culture, we may not even be on the field of play, even if we consider ourselves expert.

I bring to my work all my prejudice. Perhaps I will grow. Part of my prejudice is in my desire not to read some of the verses of this chapter of Proverbs. Some I like. Some I despise. Some I try to rephrase. Some I leave as obtuse as possible to undermine the readings that were shoved down my throat. The violence against me I knew. The violence I do to others, I may be only vaguely aware of. But though I must follow at times what others have determined is legitimate violence, I cannot justify it.

Will the stroke of a cane save a child from Sheol?  JB here has it wrong anyway. The proverb reads in the KJV you will deliver his soul from hell. A preposterous imposition of later prejudice onto the text. How can it be read that some adult can, by beating up a child, deliver its soul? Only G-d delivers anything from Sheol - whatever that is supposed to mean.

So how do I deal with this one? First, I recognize that sceptre, that symbol of governance (the shepherd's staff) and belonging, can also be rendered as rod. I have never used it for this gloss. I have used rod / branch both for מטה. So the proverb is about governance of a youth. It is not about corporal punishment. Second, what is the verb? Its form is תכנו. There is no doubt that tradition has this combination of letters as derived from נכה, a doubly weak verb that loses its letters when conjugated, especially when a pronoun follows and a nun gets added for ease of pronunciation. I wondered if I could derive it from כון the hollow verb meaning prepare or establish. I could go against tradition here. Psalms 89 will do as an example where תכן refers to God establishing the heavens.

Governance is vital, and avoidance of betrayal an aspect of trust. But what power will yield such a result? Not violence. And even this limited writer eventually resorts to imponderable questions (verse 29). With respect to wine and women, the writer, clearly a male, deals with addiction and self-harm. He gets this part right, but perhaps he does not realize that the advice of verses 13-14 leads directly to this deadly and destructive result of verse 35. Do we?

Pascal's wager is in verse 18. Curious, eh?  In this chapter there are 4 tri-cola, 5, 7, 31, 35. We have seen very few in the later chapters of Proverbs. Some to come in chapters 24 and 25 then none till chapter 30.

Proverbs 23		Fn		Min	Max	Syll
כִּֽי־תֵ֭שֵׁב לִלְח֣וֹם אֶת־מוֹשֵׁ֑ל בִּ֥ין תָּ֝בִ֗ין אֶת־אֲשֶׁ֥ר לְפָנֶֽיךָ	1		When you sit to partake with a governor, you will discern who is in your presence.	3e	4B	7 10
וְשַׂמְתָּ֣ שַׂכִּ֣ין בְּלֹעֶ֑ךָ אִם־בַּ֖עַל נֶ֣פֶשׁ אָֽתָּה	2		And put imagination in your gasp, if you are the husband of integrity.	3e	4B	9 7
אַל־תִּ֭תְאָו לְמַטְעַמּוֹתָ֑יו וְ֝ה֗וּא לֶ֣חֶם כְּזָבִֽים	3		Do not desire his tasty dishes, for it is the bread of lies.	3e	4B	8 7
אַל־תִּיגַ֥ע לְֽהַעֲשִׁ֑יר מִֽבִּינָתְךָ֥ חֲדָֽל	4		Do not labour to be rich. From your own discernment, refrain.	3e	4A	7 6
הֲתָ֤עִיף עֵינֶ֥יךָ בּ֗וֹ וְֽאֵ֫ינֶ֥נּוּ כִּ֤י עָשֹׂ֣ה יַעֲשֶׂה־לּ֣וֹ כְנָפַ֑יִם כְּ֝נֶ֗שֶׁר יָע֥וּף הַשָּׁמָֽיִם	5		Do you make your eyes fly into it and it is not? For it has made it so. It makes for itself wings, like an eagle that flies the heavens.	3e	4C	11 10 9
אַל־תִּלְחַ֗ם אֶת־לֶ֭חֶם רַ֣ע עָ֑יִן וְאַל־תִּ֝תְאָ֗יו לְמַטְעַמֹּתָֽיו	6		Do not partake of the bread of one with an evil eye, and do not desire its tasty dishes.	3e	4B	9 9
כִּ֤י ׀ כְּמוֹ־שָׁעַ֥ר בְּנַפְשׁ֗וֹ כֶּ֫ן־ה֥וּא אֱכֹ֣ל וּ֭שְׁתֵה יֹ֣אמַר לָ֑ךְ וְ֝לִבּ֗וֹ בַּל־עִמָּֽךְ	7	C	For like the gate against itself, so is he. Eat and imbibe, he says to you, but his heart is not with you.	3e	4C	9 7 6
פִּֽתְּךָ־אָכַ֥לְתָּ תְקִיאֶ֑נָּה וְ֝שִׁחַ֗תָּ דְּבָרֶ֥יךָ הַנְּעִימִֽים	8		A fragment you ate? You will disgorge it, and destroy your pleasant words.	3e	4A	8 11
בְּאָזְנֵ֣י כְ֭סִיל אַל־תְּדַבֵּ֑ר כִּֽי־יָ֝ב֗וּז לְשֵׂ֣כֶל מִלֶּֽיךָ	9		In the ears of a dullard do not speak, for it will hold in contempt the insight of your speeches.	3e	4B	9 8
אַל־תַּ֭סֵּג גְּב֣וּל עוֹלָ֑ם וּבִשְׂדֵ֥י יְ֝תוֹמִ֗ים אַל־תָּבֹֽא	10		Do not relocate the border of eras past, and into the fields of orphans, do not enter.	3e	4B	7 9
כִּֽי־גֹאֲלָ֥ם חָזָ֑ק הֽוּא־יָרִ֖יב אֶת־רִיבָ֣ם אִתָּֽךְ	11		For their redeemer is courageous. He it is who will contend their strife with you.	3e	4B	5 8
הָבִ֣יאָה לַמּוּסָ֣ר לִבֶּ֑ךָ וְ֝אָזְנֶ֗ךָ לְאִמְרֵי־דָֽעַת	12		Let your heart come to chastening, and your ears to the promise of knowledge.	3e	4B	9 8
אַל־תִּמְנַ֣ע מִנַּ֣עַר מוּסָ֑ר כִּֽי־תַכֶּ֥נּוּ בַ֝שֵּׁ֗בֶט לֹ֣א יָמֽוּת	13		Do not withhold from youth, chastening. If you strike it with a sceptre, it will not die.	3e	4B	8 9
אַ֭תָּה בַּשֵּׁ֣בֶט תַּכֶּ֑נּוּ וְ֝נַפְשׁ֗וֹ מִשְּׁא֥וֹל תַּצִּֽיל	14	g	You with a sceptre will strike it, and its integrity from Sheol you will deliver.	3e	4B	8 7
בְּ֭נִי אִם־חָכַ֣ם לִבֶּ֑ךָ יִשְׂמַ֖ח לִבִּ֣י גַם־אָֽנִי	15	g	My child, if wise is your heart, my heart is made glad, even I.	3e	4B	8 7
וְתַעְלֹ֥זְנָה כִלְיוֹתָ֑י בְּדַבֵּ֥ר שְׂ֝פָתֶ֗יךָ מֵישָׁרִֽים	16		And my vital centre will be exultant, when your lips speak uprightness.	3e	4A	7 10
אַל־יְקַנֵּ֣א לִ֭בְּךָ בַּֽחַטָּאִ֑ים כִּ֥י אִם־בְּיִרְאַת־יְ֝הוָ֗ה כָּל־הַיּֽוֹם	17		Let not your heart be jealous about sinners, but rather be in the fear of Yahweh all the day long.	3e	4B	10 10
כִּ֭י אִם־יֵ֣שׁ אַחֲרִ֑ית וְ֝תִקְוָתְךָ֗ לֹ֣א תִכָּרֵֽת	18	g	For if there is a latter end, then your expectation will not be cut off.	3e	4B	6 8
שְׁמַע־אַתָּ֣ה בְנִ֣י וַחֲכָ֑ם וְאַשֵּׁ֖ר בַּדֶּ֣רֶךְ לִבֶּֽךָ	19		Hear you, my child and be shrewd, and step your heart in the way.	3e	4B	9 9
אַל־תְּהִ֥י בְסֹֽבְאֵי־יָ֑יִן בְּזֹלֲלֵ֖י בָשָׂ֣ר לָֽמוֹ	20		Do not be besotted with wine, with those of fleshly gluttony.	3e	4B	7 8
כִּי־סֹבֵ֣א וְ֭זוֹלֵל יִוָּרֵ֑שׁ וּ֝קְרָעִ֗ים תַּלְבִּ֥ישׁ נוּמָֽה	21		For liquor and gluttony are possessed, and slumber clothes with rips.	3e	4B	8 7
שְׁמַ֣ע לְ֭אָבִיךָ זֶ֣ה יְלָדֶ֑ךָ וְאַל־תָּ֝ב֗וּז כִּֽי־זָקְנָ֥ה אִמֶּֽךָ	22		Hear your father, this one that begot you, and do not despise your mother when she is aged.	3e	4B	11 10
אֱמֶ֣ת קְ֭נֵה וְאַל־תִּמְכֹּ֑ר חָכְמָ֖ה וּמוּסָ֣ר וּבִינָֽה	23		Truth acquire, and do not sell, wisdom, or chastening, or discernment.	3e	4B	8 8
גִּ֣יל יָ֭גִיל אֲבִ֣י צַדִּ֑יק וְיוֹלֵ֥ד חָ֝כָ֗ם יִשְׂמַח־בּֽוֹ	24	B	Overjoyed, the parent of a righteous one will rejoice, and who begets one who is wise will be glad in it.	3e	4B	7 8
יִֽשְׂמַח־אָבִ֥יךָ וְאִמֶּ֑ךָ וְ֝תָגֵ֗ל יֽוֹלַדְתֶּֽךָ	25		Your father and your mother will be glad, and she who gave you birth will rejoice.	3e	4A	9 7
תְּנָֽה־בְנִ֣י לִבְּךָ֣ לִ֑י וְ֝עֵינֶ֗יךָ דְּרָכַ֥י תִּצֹּֽרְנָה	26		Give my child your heart to me, and let your eyes observe my ways.	3e	4B	7 10
כִּֽי־שׁוּחָ֣ה עֲמֻקָּ֣ה זוֹנָ֑ה וּבְאֵ֥ר צָ֝רָ֗ה נָכְרִיָּֽה	27		For a deep ditch is harlotry, and precise trouble, an alien woman.	3e	4B	7 7
אַף־הִ֭יא כְּחֶ֣תֶף תֶּֽאֱרֹ֑ב וּ֝בוֹגְדִ֗ים בְּאָדָ֥ם תּוֹסִֽף	28		Indeed she, as one who confiscates, lies in wait, and adds betrayals against humanity repeatedly.	3e	4B	8 8
לְמִ֨י א֥וֹי לְמִ֪י אֲב֡וֹי לְמִ֤י מִדְיָנִ֨ים ׀ לְמִ֥י שִׂ֗יחַ לְ֭מִי פְּצָעִ֣ים חִנָּ֑ם לְ֝מִ֗י חַכְלִל֥וּת עֵינָֽיִם	29		Whose is woe? whose is appetite? whose is dissension? whose is blather? whose are inflicted wounds for nothing? whose are flushed eyes?	3d	4C	25 8
לַֽמְאַחֲרִ֥ים עַל־הַיָּ֑יִן לַ֝בָּאִ֗ים לַחְקֹ֥ר מִמְסָֽךְ	30		They that follow after the wine, they that come to examine mixture.	3e	4A	8 7
אַל־תֵּ֥רֶא יַיִן֮ כִּ֪י יִתְאַ֫דָּ֥ם כִּֽי־יִתֵּ֣ן בַּכּ֣וֹס עֵינ֑וֹ יִ֝תְהַלֵּ֗ךְ בְּמֵישָׁרִֽים	31		Do not stare at wine when it is ruddy, when it gives in the cup its eye, walking with uprightness.	3d	4B	8 6 7
אַ֭חֲרִיתוֹ כְּנָחָ֣שׁ יִשָּׁ֑ךְ וּֽכְצִפְעֹנִ֥י יַפְרִֽשׁ	32	g	Its followers, like a snake, it bites, like an anaconda, it punctures.	3e	4B	9 6
עֵ֭ינֶיךָ יִרְא֣וּ זָר֑וֹת וְ֝לִבְּךָ֗ יְדַבֵּ֥ר תַּהְפֻּכֽוֹת	33	g	Your eyes will see strange women, and your heart will speak waywardness.	3e	4B	7 9
וְ֭הָיִיתָ כְּשֹׁכֵ֣ב בְּלֶב־יָ֑ם וּ֝כְשֹׁכֵ֗ב בְּרֹ֣אשׁ חִבֵּֽל	34	g	Then you will be as one laid out in the heart of the sea, or as one laid out at the top of a rope.	3e	4B	10 7
הִכּ֥וּנִי בַל־חָלִיתִי֮ הֲלָמ֗וּנִי בַּל־יָ֫דָ֥עְתִּי מָתַ֥י אָקִ֑יץ א֝וֹסִ֗יף אֲבַקְשֶׁ֥נּוּ עֽוֹד	35		They struck me. I am not ill. They have smitten me. I do not know. When will I awaken? I will repeatedly seek it yet more.	3e	4A	15 4 7

Proverbs 22

This chapter has lots of good advice that spoke to my concerns as I read it. There are also some favorite ones for those who are convinced by punishment as a model for behaviour. It astonishes me that Christendom should so have emphasized punishment. There is of course no use of that word in Bob's Bible. There are plenty of consequences and there is plenty of violence. But one human punishing another or being punished by G-d is not an option I entertain.

What do I make of violence attributed to G-d? Simply speaking: If it is really G-d, it is not my problem. May be it is just a false attribution of the writer. May be I should interpret it analogically. Definitely it is not a model for imitation as if we and our children could escape the consequences of such action.

Is it possible to have strength and power without self-interest? I don't know. That is supposedly the character of Jesus. His imitators are rare even though those who claim his name are many. I am equally struck by the intellectual, emotional, mental, and psychological violence that is pervasive in our cultures. All those games we play. Perhaps this chapter will help. Plant your foot in gentleness. Do not be impetuous in trade.

You can tell I am not a fan of the King James translation or its recent reception history. The undermining of treachery can take many hundreds of years of human history. Is this Word of God treacherous ground? Yeah bro, if you can't see your own face, it is. Who has a visible face?

Note the three verses beginning on a B. I sense much more coherence in this as a chapter than in many of the other chapters of Proverbs we have done.

Proverbs 22		Fn		Min	Max	Syll
נִבְחָ֣ר שֵׁ֭ם מֵעֹ֣שֶׁר רָ֑ב מִכֶּ֥סֶף וּ֝מִזָּהָ֗ב חֵ֣ן טֽוֹב	1		A choice name over riches in abundance, over silver and over gold, good grace.	3e	4B	7 9
עָשִׁ֣יר וָרָ֣שׁ נִפְגָּ֑שׁוּ עֹשֵׂ֖ה כֻלָּ֣ם יְהוָֽה	2		One who is rich and one in want have met together. Making all of them is Yahweh.	3e	4B	7 6
עָר֤וּם ׀ רָאָ֣ה רָעָ֣ה וְנִסְתָּ֑ר וּ֝פְתָיִ֗ים עָבְר֥וּ וְֽנֶעֱנָֽשׁוּ	3		The crafty sees evil and he is hidden, but the simple pass through and are fined.	3e	4C	9 10
עֵ֣קֶב עֲ֭נָוָה יִרְאַ֣ת יְהוָ֑ה עֹ֖שֶׁר וְכָב֣וֹד וְחַיִּֽים	4	B	A foot planted in gentleness, the fear of Yahweh, riches and glory and life.	3e	4B	9 8
צִנִּ֣ים פַּ֭חִים בְּדֶ֣רֶךְ עִקֵּ֑שׁ שׁוֹמֵ֥ר נַ֝פְשׁ֗וֹ יִרְחַ֥ק מֵהֶֽם	5		Barbs snares in the way of the devious. Who watches for its integrity, keeps its distance from them.	3e	4B	9 8
חֲנֹ֣ךְ לַ֭נַּעַר עַל־פִּ֣י דַרְכּ֑וֹ גַּ֥ם כִּֽי־יַ֝זְקִ֗ין לֹֽא־יָס֥וּר מִמֶּֽנָּה	6		Dedicate a youth over the mandate of its way, even when it ages it will not turn aside from it.	3e	4B	9 9
עָ֭שִׁיר בְּרָשִׁ֣ים יִמְשׁ֑וֹל וְעֶ֥בֶד לֹ֝וֶ֗ה לְאִ֣ישׁ מַלְוֶֽה	7	g	One who is rich governs against those in want, and the borrower is slave to each lender.	3e	4B	7 9
זוֹרֵ֣עַ עַ֭וְלָה יִקְצָר־אָ֑וֶן וְשֵׁ֖בֶט עֶבְרָת֣וֹ יִכְלֶֽה	8		One who sows injustice will harvest mischief, and the sceptre of its fury will faint.	3e	4B	9 8
טֽוֹב־עַ֭יִן ה֣וּא יְבֹרָ֑ךְ כִּֽי־נָתַ֖ן מִלַּחְמ֣וֹ לַדָּֽל	9		A good eye, it will be blessed, for it gives from its bread to the weak.	3e	4B	6 7
גָּ֣רֵֽשׁ לֵ֭ץ וְיֵצֵ֣א מָד֑וֹן וְ֝יִשְׁבֹּ֗ת דִּ֣ין וְקָלֽוֹן	10	B	Expel scorn and dissension will go out, and sentence and disgrace will cease.	3e	4B	8 7
אֹהֵ֥ב טְהָר־לֵ֑ב חֵ֥ן שְׂ֝פָתָ֗יו רֵעֵ֥הוּ מֶֽלֶךְ	11		Who loves a clean heart, gracious are its lips, its associate, sovereign.	3e	4A	5 9
עֵינֵ֣י יְ֭הוָה נָ֣צְרוּ דָ֑עַת וַ֝יְסַלֵּ֗ף דִּבְרֵ֥י בֹגֵֽד	12		The eyes of Yahweh preserve knowledge, and he undermines words of treachery.	3e	4B	8 7
אָמַ֣ר עָ֭צֵל אֲרִ֣י בַח֑וּץ בְּת֥וֹךְ רְ֝חֹב֗וֹת אֵֽרָצֵֽחַ	13		Says a sluggard, Lion outside. In the midst of the piazzas I will be murdered.	3e	4B	8 9
שׁוּחָ֣ה עֲ֭מֻקָּה פִּ֣י זָר֑וֹת זְע֥וּם יְ֝הוָ֗ה יִפָּל־שָֽׁם	14		A deep ditch, the mouth of strange women, the indignation of Yahweh will fall there.	3e	4B	8 7
אִ֭וֶּלֶת קְשׁוּרָ֣ה בְלֶב־נָ֑עַר שֵׁ֥בֶט מ֝וּסָ֗ר יַרְחִיקֶ֥נָּה מִמֶּֽנּוּ	15	g	Foolishness fastened in the heart of youth, a sceptre of mentoring puts it at a distance.	3e	4B	10 11
עֹ֣שֵֽׁק דָּ֭ל לְהַרְבּ֣וֹת ל֑וֹ נֹתֵ֥ן לְ֝עָשִׁ֗יר אַךְ־לְמַחְסֽוֹר	16	B	Who oppresses the weak to increase itself, who gives to the rich, surely will be deprived.	3e	4B	7 9
הַ֥ט אָזְנְךָ֗ וּ֭שְׁמַע דִּבְרֵ֣י חֲכָמִ֑ים וְ֝לִבְּךָ֗ תָּשִׁ֥ית לְדַעְתִּֽי	17	f	Bend your ear and hear the words of the shrewd, and your heart you will set to my knowledge.	3e	4B	11 8
כִּֽי־נָ֭עִים כִּֽי־תִשְׁמְרֵ֣ם בְּבִטְנֶ֑ךָ יִכֹּ֥נוּ יַ֝חְדָּ֗ו עַל־שְׂפָתֶֽיךָ	18		For it is pleasant that you keep them in your belly. They will be established unified on your lips.	3e	4B	10 10
לִהְי֣וֹת בַּ֭יהוָה מִבְטַחֶ֑ךָ הוֹדַעְתִּ֖יךָ הַיּ֣וֹם אַף־אָֽתָּה	19		That in Yahweh will be your trust, I have made known to you today, indeed you.	3e	4B	8 9
הֲלֹ֤א כָתַ֣בְתִּי לְ֭ךָ שָׁלִישִׁ֑ים בְּמ֖וֹעֵצֹ֣ת וָדָֽעַת	20		Have I not written for you thirty things, in counsel and knowledge?	3e	4C	10 7
לְהוֹדִֽיעֲךָ֗ קֹ֭שְׁטְ אִמְרֵ֣י אֱמֶ֑ת לְהָשִׁ֥יב אֲמָרִ֥ים אֱ֝מֶ֗ת לְשֹׁלְחֶֽיךָ	21		That I might have you know the certainty of the promises of truth, to return the promises of truth to those who send to you.	3e	4B	11 12
אַֽל־תִּגְזָל־דָּ֭ל כִּ֣י דַל־ה֑וּא וְאַל־תְּדַכֵּ֖א עָנִ֣י בַשָּֽׁעַר	22		Do not rob the weak because it is weak, and do not crush the impoverished by the gate.	3e	4B	7 10
כִּֽי־יְ֭הוָה יָרִ֣יב רִיבָ֑ם וְקָבַ֖ע אֶת־קֹבְעֵיהֶ֣ם נָֽפֶשׁ	23		For Yahweh will strive their strife, and defraud the integrity of those who defraud them.	3e	4B	8 9
אַל־תִּ֭תְרַע אֶת־בַּ֣עַל אָ֑ף וְאֶת־אִ֥ישׁ חֵ֝מוֹת לֹ֣א תָבֽוֹא	24		Do not befriend the owner of anger, and with a poisonous person do not go.	3e	4B	7 8
פֶּן־תֶּאֱלַ֥ף אֹֽרְחֹתָ֑יו וְלָקַחְתָּ֖ מוֹקֵ֣שׁ לְנַפְשֶֽׁךָ	25		Lest you be educated in its paths, and receive a trap to your integrity.	3e	4B	7 10
אַל־תְּהִ֥י בְתֹֽקְעֵי־כָ֑ף בַּ֝עֹרְבִ֗ים מַשָּׁאֽוֹת	26		Do not be one who sounds the slap of a palm, by giving surety for claims.	3e	4A	7 6
אִם־אֵֽין־לְךָ֥ לְשַׁלֵּ֑ם לָ֥מָּה יִקַּ֥ח מִ֝שְׁכָּבְךָ֗ מִתַּחְתֶּֽיךָ	27		If there is nothing for you to pay, why should someone take your litter from under you?	3e	4A	7 11
אַל־תַּ֭סֵּג גְּב֣וּל עוֹלָ֑ם אֲשֶׁ֖ר עָשׂ֣וּ אֲבוֹתֶֽיךָ	28		Do not relocate the border of eras past, that your ancestors dealt with.	3e	4B	7 8
חָזִ֡יתָ אִ֤ישׁ ׀ מָ֘הִ֤יר בִּמְלַאכְתּ֗וֹ לִֽפְנֵֽי־מְלָכִ֥ים יִתְיַצָּ֑ב בַּל־יִ֝תְיַצֵּב לִפְנֵ֥י חֲשֻׁכִּֽים	29		You gaze on someone impetuous in its trade? In the face of sovereigns it may be stationed. It will not be stationed in the face of dark places.	3e	4C	18 9

Proverbs 28

Four chapters left of poetry after this one. The words here are continually perplexing. The perplexity is made worse because of my rigid concordance rules. Unless the language changed between writing these and other sections of Scripture, (and it might well have), דל is weak, not poor. Yes it is used in contrast to rich here, but...  the weak may be poor but may also be rich oligarchs or middle class.

I have to see what it says before I try to determine what it means (if anything). I do not translate for meaning, but for pattern and usage. Meaning is a very dangerous game. One tends, as I have said before, to impose one's own bias onto meaning, explanation, and understanding. Those three words indicate power over or control of rather than hearing or observation. I do not have such power or control. I have limited technical control given the hordes of fellow earthlings who have created this electronic platform for me. But this platform is dependent on human ingenuity and continuity and cooperation. It is not guaranteed. (And as far as the tongue itself is concerned, I have inherited it from a similar myriad of ancestors.)

Perhaps better (another word I am wary of) than meaning, is application. How does this pithy saying apply? How might it apply?

My current domain of Poor

אביון need(1), needy(50), the-many needy(3)
אמל enfeebled(7), feeble(3)
דל weak(37), weakness(1)
דלל brought low(8)
חלכה hapless(3)
חרג no longer ease(1)
יתום orphan(24), orphans'(1), orphans(8)
כפן penury(2)
סבל bear burden(1), bearing burdens(1), bears burden(1), burden carries(1), burden(6), burdened(1), burdens(2)
סכן cherish(4), cherished(4), custom(2), destitute(5), meagerness(2)
עני impoverished(5), impoverishment(4), near poverty(1), o poor(1), out poverty(1), poor(53), poverty(16),
רוד refugee(1), restless(3), restlessness(2)
רושׁ want(21) רזה emaciate(1), lean(1), leanness(2)

Equally, if I used a generic him/his/he, my life would be easier. But that would be a legal move and would often exclude some readers in these days. You will note that some of my readings are completely opposite in meaning to the traditional. Note verse 17 has neither atenach nor ole-veyored though it could easily have used a rest. I suspect that irrational fear is common, but maybe the cure is neither to blame nor to encourage what we might call mental illness or shock or PTSD.

Proverbs 28		Fn		Min	Max	Syll
נָ֣סוּ וְאֵין־רֹדֵ֣ף רָשָׁ֑ע וְ֝צַדִּיקִ֗ים כִּכְפִ֥יר יִבְטָֽח	1	B	A wicked one withdraws and there is none pursuing, but a righteous one, like a lion cub, has confidence.	3e	4B	8 8
בְּפֶ֣שַֽׁע אֶ֭רֶץ רַבִּ֣ים שָׂרֶ֑יהָ וּבְאָדָ֥ם מֵבִ֥ין יֹ֝דֵ֗עַ כֵּ֣ן יַאֲרִֽיךְ	2		In the transgression of a land are many nobles, but in an earthling, from discerning knowledge, a base may be prolonged.	3e	4B	10 12
גֶּ֣בֶר רָ֭שׁ וְעֹשֵׁ֣ק דַּלִּ֑ים מָטָ֥ר סֹ֝חֵ֗ף וְאֵ֣ין לָֽחֶם	3	B	Who is valiant but in want, and oppresses the weak, is rain hurtling down and there is no warmth.	3e	4B	8 8
עֹזְבֵ֣י ת֭וֹרָה יְהַֽלְל֣וּ רָשָׁ֑ע וְשֹׁמְרֵ֥י ת֝וֹרָ֗ה יִתְגָּ֥רוּ בָֽם	4		Who forsakes instruction praises wickedness, but the keepers of instruction meddle with them.	3e	4B	9 9
אַנְשֵׁי־רָ֭ע לֹא־יָבִ֣ינוּ מִשְׁפָּ֑ט וּמְבַקְשֵׁ֥י יְ֝הוָ֗ה יָבִ֥ינוּ כֹֽל	5		Persons of evil do not discern judgment, but those who seek Yahweh discern all.	3e	4B	8 9
טֽוֹב־רָ֭שׁ הוֹלֵ֣ךְ בְּתֻמּ֑וֹ מֵעִקֵּ֥שׁ דְּ֝רָכַ֗יִם וְה֣וּא עָשִֽׁיר	6		Better one who is in want walking in its completeness, than one devious of ways and it is rich.	3e	4B	7 10
נוֹצֵ֣ר תּ֭וֹרָה בֵּ֣ן מֵבִ֑ין וְרֹעֶה זֽ֝וֹלְלִ֗ים יַכְלִ֥ים אָבִֽיו	7		Who observes instruction is a child of discernment, but who associates with vileness humiliates its parent.	3e	4B	7 9
מַרְבֶּ֣ה ה֭וֹנוֹ בְּנֶ֣שֶׁךְ וְתַרְבִּ֑ית לְחוֹנֵ֖ן דַּלִּ֣ים יִקְבְּצֶֽנּוּ	8		Who increases value at interest and to excess, for one who is gracious among the weak, it collects.	3e	4B	10 9
מֵסִ֣יר אָ֭זְנוֹ מִשְּׁמֹ֣עַ תּוֹרָ֑ה גַּֽם־תְּ֝פִלָּת֗וֹ תּוֹעֵבָֽה	9		Who turns aside its own ear from hearing instruction, even its prayer is an abomination.	3e	4B	9 8
מַשְׁגֶּ֤ה יְשָׁרִ֨ים ׀ בְּדֶ֥רֶךְ רָ֗ע בִּשְׁחוּת֥וֹ הֽוּא־יִפּ֑וֹל וּ֝תְמִימִ֗ים יִנְחֲלוּ־טֽוֹב	10		Who makes the upright stray into a way of evil, prostrate it will fall, but the complete will inherit what is good.	3e	4C	15 7
חָכָ֣ם בְּ֭עֵינָיו אִ֣ישׁ עָשִׁ֑יר וְדַ֖ל מֵבִ֣ין יַחְקְרֶֽנּוּ	11		Wise in its own eyes is one who is rich, but one who is weak, by discernment will examine it.	3e	4B	8 8
בַּעֲלֹ֣ץ צַ֭דִּיקִים רַבָּ֣ה תִפְאָ֑רֶת וּבְק֥וּם רְ֝שָׁעִ֗ים יְחֻפַּ֥שׂ אָדָֽם	12		When the righteous are elated, abundant adornment, and when the wicked arise, an earthling takes cover.	3e	4B	11 10
מְכַסֶּ֣ה פְ֭שָׁעָיו לֹ֣א יַצְלִ֑יחַ וּמוֹדֶ֖ה וְעֹזֵ֣ב יְרֻחָֽם	13		One who covers its transgressions will not thrive, but one who confesses and forsakes will find compassion.	3e	4B	10 9
אַשְׁרֵ֣י אָ֭דָם מְפַחֵ֣ד תָּמִ֑יד וּמַקְשֶׁ֥ה לִ֝בּ֗וֹ יִפּ֥וֹל בְּרָעָֽה	14		Happy the human in dread continually, but who hardens its heart will fall into evil.	3e	4B	9 10
אֲרִי־נֹ֭הֵם וְדֹ֣ב שׁוֹקֵ֑ק מֹשֵׁ֥ל רָ֝שָׁ֗ע עַ֣ל עַם־דָּֽל	15		Lion growling and shiftless bear, a wicked governor over a weak people.	3e	4B	7 7
נָגִ֗יד חֲסַ֣ר תְּ֭בוּנוֹת וְרַ֥ב מַעֲשַׁקּ֑וֹת שֹׂ֥נֵא בֶ֝֗צַע יַאֲרִ֥יךְ יָמִֽים	16		An aristocrat lacking in discernment, and abundant is oppression. One who hates seeking gain will prolong days.	3e	4B	13 9
אָ֭דָם עָשֻׁ֣ק בְּדַם־נָפֶשׁ עַד־בּ֥וֹר יָ֝נ֗וּס אַל־יִתְמְכוּ־בֽוֹ	17	g	An earthling oppressed by the blood of a cadaver, to a pit will withdraw. Do not retain it there.	3e	4B	16
הוֹלֵ֣ךְ תָּ֭מִים יִוָּשֵׁ֑עַ וְנֶעְקַ֥שׁ דְּ֝רָכַ֗יִם יִפּ֥וֹל בְּאֶחָֽת	18		One walking complete will be saved, but one of devious ways will fall single.	3e	4B	8 11
עֹבֵ֣ד אַ֭דְמָתוֹ יִֽשְׂבַּֽע־לָ֑חֶם וּמְרַדֵּ֥ף רֵ֝קִ֗ים יִֽשְׂבַּֽע־רִֽישׁ	19		One who serves its own ground is satisfied with bread, but one pursuing the empty-headed will be satisfied with.	3e	4B	9 8
אִ֣ישׁ אֱ֭מוּנוֹת רַב־בְּרָכ֑וֹת וְאָ֥ץ לְ֝הַעֲשִׁ֗יר לֹ֣א יִנָּקֶֽה	20	B	A faithful person, an abundance of blessings, but one who importunes riches will not be held innocent.	3e	4B	8 10
הַֽכֵּר־פָּנִ֥ים לֹא־ט֑וֹב וְעַל־פַּת־לֶ֝֗חֶם יִפְשַׁע־גָּֽבֶר	21		To make faces alien is not good, but over a fragment of bread valour will transgress.	3e	4A	6 9
נִֽבֳהָ֥ל לַה֗וֹן אִ֭ישׁ רַ֣ע עָ֑יִן וְלֹֽא־יֵ֝דַע כִּי־חֶ֥סֶר יְבֹאֶֽנּוּ	22		Vexed for value, a person of an evil eye, and it knows not that lack will come upon it.	3e	4B	9 8
מ֘וֹכִ֤יחַ אָדָ֣ם אַ֭חֲרַי חֵ֣ן יִמְצָ֑א מִֽמַּחֲלִ֥יק לָשֽׁוֹן	23	~	Who corrects an earthling after, will find grace, more than a smooth tongue.	3e	4C	11 6
גּוֹזֵ֤ל ׀ אָ֘בִ֤יו וְאִמּ֗וֹ וְאֹמֵ֥ר אֵֽין־פָּ֑שַׁע חָבֵ֥ר ה֝֗וּא לְאִ֣ישׁ מַשְׁחִֽית	24		Who robs father or mother and says, There is no transgression, is companion to a destroyer.	3e	4C	13 7
רְחַב־נֶ֭פֶשׁ יְגָרֶ֣ה מָד֑וֹן וּבוֹטֵ֖חַ עַל־יְהוָ֣ה יְדֻשָּֽׁן	25		Breadth of self strokes dissension, but who trusts in Yahweh will be fattened.	3e	4B	9 10
בּוֹטֵ֣חַ בְּ֭לִבּוֹ ה֣וּא כְסִ֑יל וְהוֹלֵ֥ךְ בְּ֝חָכְמָ֗ה ה֣וּא יִמָּלֵֽט	26		Who trusts in his heart, is stupid, but who walks in wisdom, will escape.	3e	4B	9 10
נוֹתֵ֣ן לָ֭רָשׁ אֵ֣ין מַחְס֑וֹר וּמַעְלִ֥ים עֵ֝ינָ֗יו רַב־מְאֵרֽוֹת	27		Who gives to those in want will not be lacking, but who obscures its eyes, many curses.	3e	4B	7 9
בְּק֣וּם רְ֭שָׁעִים יִסָּתֵ֣ר אָדָ֑ם וּ֝בְאָבְדָ֗ם יִרְבּ֥וּ צַדִּיקִֽים	28		When the wicked arise, earthlings hide themselves, but when they perish, increased are the righteous.	3e	4B	10 8

Other questions that arose while working on Proverbs 28
I also have trouble with גבר. To date it is as follows, exceopt for names, always a reference to valiant or a related English gloss.

גבר Gaber(1), Geber(3), grandly valiant(1), lady valour(1), make prevail(2), makes prevail(1), men valour(1), mistress(1), more valiant(1), o valiant(2), prevail(5), prevailed(7), prevailing(6), prevails(18), queen-mother(1), valiant acts(2), valiant child(1), valiant men(2), valiant ones(7), valiant(75), valour(52)

My coach tells me גבר means a man. But so do a bunch of other stems mean man. Clearly it sometimes refers to women as well since there are feminine uses. So here (including גבר as above) are the words in which man/men occur in my glosses to date. My only compromise is with אישׁ and מת.

אישׁ -one(16), adults(10), another person(1), another's(1), another(1), anyone(31), being each(1), each every(1), each man(3), each person's(1), each person(4), each(251), every person(1), everyone's(2), everyone(34), hero(1), man's(1), man(196), men(63), more person(1), more(1), one's(1), other(1), others(1), person's(2), person(137), personal(3), persons(74), representative(6), rider(1 - conflict with רכב but implied in Psalm 147), soldiers(26), some(2), someone(44), spouses(1 Jeremiah 29), such(6), untranslated(25)
מת male(1), maleness(1), males(1), men(16)

Other stems use it only as part of the gloss
בחר choice(8), choose(37), chose(29), chosen ones(3), chosen(49), deliberated(1), prime(1), young man(1), young men(3), youth prime(1), youths prime(9)
זקן aged(7), ages(1), beard(4), elder(3), elderly(3), elders(94), eldest(1), even beard(1), more aged(1), old age(5), old men(1), old women(1), old(20)
חכם increase shrewdness(1), made wise(1), make wise(1), makes wise(1), making wise(2), making wiser(1), shrewd things(1), shrewd(59), shrewdness(40), wisdom(68), wise men(1), wise(43), wiser(1), wisest(2)
ערץ panic(2), ruthless men(1), ruthless(15), ruthlessness(2)

Male is also זכר in these stems - another unavoidable compromise with my rules.

בן -kin(2), about children(1), ben(1), ben-(12), child(954), children -(1), children's(7), children(1586), concerning children(1), cubs(1), destiny(1), eaglets(1), grandson(2), he-(48), kids(1), little ones(1), male foal(2), o children(3), out children(1), son(203), sons(95), squab(4), untranslated(4)
גדי Gadi(2), Gadite(1), Gadites(5), Gedi(5), male kid(1), young goat(1), young kids(1)
זכר archivist(7), bring remembrance(1), lasting memory(1), make remembered(1), male(24), males(4), memorial(10), memorials(2), memory(6), remember(107), remembered(30), remembers(4), remembrance(17), reminder(1), untranslated(1), yea, remembers(1), zealous(2), zeroing(1), zion remembers(1), zoomed memory(1)
ילד beget(8), begets(2), begot(1), born(67), boy(2), boys(2), chicks(1), childhood(3), female juvenile(1), gave birth(81), girls(1), give birth(10), given birth(8), gives birth(3), giving birth(12), juvenile(1), juveniles(5), kindred(5), makes fertile(1), male children(2), male juvenile(1), male peers(6), midwife(2), midwives(7), nativity(7), newborn(3), newborns(2), succession(4), successions(16), successors(1), there born(2), toddlers(2)
להה male consternation(1)
עבד Abed(1), Abed-(1), another(1), done(1), Ebed(5), enslaved(1), made serve(4), male slave(3), male slaves(3), manservant(8), manservants(2), o servants(1), one's servant(1), servant(279), servants(203), serve(133), served(42), serves(5), service(55), services(1), serving(2), servitude(20), sevants(1), slave(3), slaves(1), staff servants(2), such served(1), though serve(1)
עברי hebrew female(2), hebrew male(2), hebrew women(2), hebrew(2), hebrews(8)
עקר barren(5), female barren(1), hamstrung(2), male barren(1), o barren(1), root out(1), rooted out(1)
שׁיר sang(3), sing(31), singers female(2), singers male(2), singers(5), song(65), songs(4)