Proverbs 18:1–2

Footnotes

1. 1 The Niphal participle functions substantively and has a reflexive nuance: “one who has separated himself” (cf. , , ). He is not merely anti-social; he is a problem for society since he will defy sound judgment. The uses the verse to teach the necessity of being part of a community because people have social responsibilities and need each other ( Avot 2:4).
2. 2 The has “seeks [his own] desire[s].” The translation in the represents a Hebrew of לְתֹאֲנָה (léto’anah) instead of לְתַאֲוָה (léta’avah); this could be translated “seeks his own occasion,” that is, “his own pretext” (C. H. Toy, Proverbs [], ; cf. ). The makes sense as it stands and the emendation is not really necessary.
3. 3 Heb “breaks out”; “showing contempt for”; “snarling at.” This individual breaks out in contention against sound judgment. He is in opposition to society (e.g., Prov 17:14; 20:3).
4. 4 This expression forms an understatement (tapeinosis); the opposite is the point—he detests understanding or discernment.
5. 5 The Hitpael infinitive construct בְּהִתְגַּלּוֹת (béhitgalot) functions nominally as the object of the preposition. The term means “reveal, uncover, betray.” So the fool takes pleasure “in uncovering” his heart.
6. 6 Heb “his heart.” This is a metonymy meaning “what is on his mind” (cf. “displaying what he thinks”; “expressing personal opinion”). This kind of person is in love with his own ideas and enjoys spewing them out (W. McKane, Proverbs [], 515). It is the kind of person who would ask a question, not to learn, but to show everyone how clever he is (cf. ).