Proverbs 2:10

Footnotes

1. 41 The noun לֵב (lev, “heart”) functions as a metonymy of association for “mind” and “thoughts” ( 524 3). It represents the center of the inner life where the volition and emotions join to bring about actions. It is used here in parallelism with נֶפֶשׁ (nefesh, “soul”), for which see note.
2. 42 Heb “knowledge.” For the noun דַּעַת (da’at), see the note on .
3. 43 Heb “pleasant.” The verb יִנְעָם (yin’am, “to be pleasant”) describes what is attractive. It is used of being physically attracted to one’s lover (Song 7:7) or to a close friendship (2 Sam 1:26). Here wisdom becomes attractive to the righteous, that is, the righteous desires to acquire it.
4. 44 Heb “your soul.” The term נַפְשְׁךָ (nafshékha, “your soul”) functions as a synecdoche of part (= soul) for the whole person (= you); see 660 4.a.2. It also might function as a metonymy of association for emotions and passions ( 660 6) or mental cognition ( 660 7).