Different Sounds of Silence

Prv 17:26-27

A scribal error or an alternative version of the same suggestion? 

The Hebrew Bible was created over time, and ongoing generations added to the text even if through scribal notations and the occasional human error. One Hebrew word in a verse from today’s chapter of Proverbs is written one way but supposed to be pronounced in another way - according to an ancient editor’s notation that suggests two optional to read this word - and maybe gives us a glimpse into two different attitudes that can help us be better at embracing equanimity. 

The smartest thing, at some times, Wisdom says,  is to know when to be silent. 

The efficacy of this chosen silence, Wisdom suggests, has to do with your intention and temperament. Hot or cold? Calculated or expansive? How do you act and react in the world? 

The two different possible readings of this one word gives the options, and the different sounds of silence:

חוֹשֵׂ֣ךְ אֲ֭מָרָיו יוֹדֵ֣עַ דָּ֑עַת (וקר) [יְקַר־]ר֝֗וּחַ אִ֣ישׁ תְּבוּנָֽה׃ גַּ֤ם אֱוִ֣יל מַ֭חֲרִישׁ חָכָ֣ם יֵחָשֵׁ֑ב אֹטֵ֖ם שְׂפָתָ֣יו נָבֽוֹן׃

One who is knowledgeable is sparing with words; A person of understanding is reticent.

Even fools who keep silent are deemed wise; Intelligent, while their mouth is shut.

Prv 17:26-27

The word ‘reticent’ is one translation of the Hebrew word ‘Kar or ‘Yakar’ - and either one is connected to the next word ‘ruach’ - which here means ‘spirit’ and could then be two different attitudes and ways of being in the world. 

  David Curwin explores this puzzle and offers a fascinating take on how some of these concepts are shaped by geography - and by the weather: 

“Throughout the book of Proverbs, the Sage proves to be a prolific composer of sayings, with hundreds of verses giving advice on any number of topics. Therefore, it’s a bit ironic that he also praises the value of silence, as in our chapter:

“A knowledgeable man is sparing with his words; A man of understanding is reticent. Even a fool, if he keeps silent, is deemed wise; Intelligent, if he seals his lips” (17:27-28).

“a man of understanding is reticent.” That is the JPS translation, but the Koren translates the phrase as “a man of understanding is slow to anger.” Reticent means “reserved” or “withdrawn” – a different connotation from “slow to anger.” 

How did this one phrase come up with two different interpretations?

The answer can be found by comparing the kri and ktiv of the Hebrew phrase. Throughout the Bible, we find some words with two renderings: the ktiv, the written form of the word, and the kri, how the word should be pronounced.

In Proverbs 17:27, the kri version is yakar ruach. Yakar means “precious,” and so led to the translation “reticent.” The ktiv, however, is kar ruach. Kar means “cold,” so the phrase literally means “cold of spirit”, which fits “slow to anger.”

This is the earliest mention we have of the phrase kor ruach, which in modern Hebrew means “levelheadedness,” and is often associated with an unflappable person, who acts with composure in difficult circumstances. 

There is another similar sounding Hebrew phrase, korat ruach. However it has a different meaning, “satisfaction” or “tranquility.” It appears first in Rabbinic Hebrew, as in this saying: "Better one hour of bliss (korat ruach) in the World to Come than the whole life of this world” (Avot 4:17). Like kor ruach, korat ruach also refers to “cold of spirit.” But in this case, instead of talking about someone who is unlikely to get heated up in anger (their spirit is cool), it means someone whose anger has passed (their spirit has cooled), and they are happy again.

I think we see here a linguistic phenomenon which has its roots in geography. In the Middle East (where Hebrew originated), heat is associated with anger and uncontrolled passion, whereas cold is a more positive state of calm. On the other hand, in the European language of English, cold has the negative connotations of distant and unemotional, but "warm" expresses affection and enthusiasm. I think it's not unlikely that each language gave a positive association with the more rare temperature in their climate, and found the more frequent one to be annoying and negative.”

Whatever the weather, and however we weather what comes - tranquility, equanimity, and level headedness are the qualities suggested here, for the wise at heart. Silence can be many sounds, sometimes blame and sometimes blessing. Wisdom welcomes us again to pay attention, to slow down, welcome silence, and listen, to Her.

Image: Beautiful Silence by Delawer Omar

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