Hebraic Thinking 2. This is a commentary by Rabbi Ben-Yehuda that shows another fine example of Hebraic thinking.

Proverb 24:21. My son, revere the LORD* and the king. Do not meddle with those who are given to change!

“To a question about the word king, R. Ben-Yehuda replied: There is no question in my mind that the “king” is NOT connected to “the Lord”—as in the Hebrew text the word ‘my son’ is placed between ‘Lord’ and ‘king.’ So, one might ask, why keep the king in the same breath with ‘revere the Lord’—and we know that it is to be read in one breath by the traditional musical notes, known as “trop.” Two possibilities: (1) This sets the priorities for the pious man: your first obligation is to the Lord, and only if that obligation is discharged, obey the king. (2) The whole book is known as “The Wisdom of Solomon”—a book of instruction left by the wise king to his son and future king of Israel. The Hebrew text was originally without vowels, and therefore “VAMELEKH” (and king) could also be read “UM’LOKH”—which would render the meaning “and reign!” In this reading we can find instruction from the father to his son, “Revere the Lord and you shall continue to reign.” (Which, of course, he failed to do—and didn’t keep his kingdom…)