Topical Encyclopedia
In the Bible, the term "fool" is used to describe a person who lacks wisdom, acts unwisely, or rejects the knowledge and fear of God. The concept of foolishness is addressed extensively throughout both the Old and New Testaments, often contrasting the behavior and fate of fools with that of the wise.
Old Testament UsageThe Hebrew word most commonly translated as "fool" is "kesil," which denotes someone who is morally deficient and lacks discernment. The Book of Proverbs, in particular, offers numerous insights into the characteristics and consequences of foolishness.
Proverbs 1:7 states, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." This verse highlights the foundational error of fools: their rejection of divine wisdom.
Proverbs 10:23 further illustrates the behavior of fools: "The fool delights in shameful conduct, but a man of understanding has wisdom." Fools are depicted as those who not only engage in sinful behavior but also take pleasure in it. Their actions are often impulsive and reckless, leading to personal and communal harm.
The Psalms also address the folly of denying God.
Psalm 14:1 declares, "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.' They are corrupt; their acts are vile. There is no one who does good." Here, foolishness is equated with atheism and moral corruption, emphasizing the spiritual and ethical dimensions of folly.
New Testament UsageIn the New Testament, the Greek word "moros" is often used to describe a fool. Jesus frequently addressed the issue of foolishness in His teachings. In the Sermon on the Mount, He warns against the dangers of building one's life on anything other than His teachings.
Matthew 7:26 states, "But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand."
The Apostle Paul also speaks to the folly of human wisdom apart from God. In
1 Corinthians 1:18-20 , he writes, "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: 'I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.' Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?" Paul contrasts worldly wisdom with the wisdom of God, which often appears foolish to those who do not believe.
Characteristics of FoolsBiblical fools are characterized by several key traits:
1.
Rejection of God: Fools deny God's existence and authority, leading to moral and spiritual decay (
Psalm 14:1).
2.
Lack of Wisdom: Fools despise wisdom and instruction, preferring their own misguided understanding (
Proverbs 1:7).
3.
Impulsivity and Recklessness: Fools act without considering the consequences, often leading to ruin (
Proverbs 14:16).
4.
Pride and Arrogance: Fools are often prideful, refusing to listen to correction or advice (
Proverbs 12:15).
5.
Moral Corruption: Fools engage in sinful behavior and encourage others to do the same (
Proverbs 10:23).
Consequences of FoolishnessThe Bible warns of the dire consequences that await fools.
Proverbs 3:35 states, "The wise will inherit honor, but fools are held up to shame." Fools are often subject to disgrace and destruction due to their choices.
Proverbs 13:20 advises, "Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm." Associating with fools can lead to personal harm and spiritual downfall.
In summary, the biblical portrayal of fools serves as a cautionary tale, urging individuals to seek wisdom, fear the Lord, and live righteously. The contrast between the wise and the foolish underscores the importance of aligning one's life with God's truth and wisdom.
Strong's Hebrew
191. evil -- foolish... 190, 191. evil. 192 . foolish. Transliteration: evil Phonetic Spelling:
(ev-eel') Short Definition:
fool. Word Origin from an unused
...3684. kesil -- stupid fellow, dullard,fool
... 3683, 3684. kesil. 3685 . stupid fellow, dullard,fool. Transliteration:
kesil Phonetic Spelling: (kes-eel') Short Definition:fool....
Library
Lessons for Worship and for Work
... God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth; therefore let thy words be few.3.
For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and afool's voice is...
Dedicatory Letter.
... This debt I have now resolved honestly to discharge, as well as may be, and to be
courtfool for once in my life: if I fail, I shall at any rate gain this...
The Guilt and Folly of Denying God.
... All Knowledge proves "there is a God:". "There is no God," theFool replies,.... Pours
flowers along its Maker's path; But theFool's heart aFool's remains,....
The Figurative Language of Scripture.
... the object compared and the thing or things with which it is compared, thus: "A
whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for thefool's back" (chap...
The Races --A Letter
... All the way from the Champs Elysees the huge piece offool's tackle had lumbered
and creaked hither across the sea to Martinique, and was now making the round...
The Two Guards, Praying and Watching
... Brethren, "we are not ignorant of his devices." You are not left in afool's paradise,
to dream of security from trial, and to fancy that you are past...
The Unchangeable Christ
... homes in this world; forgetting that they were strangers and pilgrims in it; and
so, when the floods came, and swept away that smallfool's paradise of theirs...
Against Gossip
... let it die with thee: be of good courage, it will not burst thee. Afool will
travail in pain with a word, as a woman in labour with a child....
The Sound in the Mulberry Trees
... He goes on afool's errand who goes before God but he walks in a blessed path who
sees the footsteps of Providence, and reads the map of Scripture, and so...
A Sermon on the Boat Race.
... If you have lived to be grey-headed, remember your silver hair may make afool's
cap yet! There are other lessons, but they will keep till another year....
Thesaurus
Fool's (10 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Fool's (10 Occurrences). Proverbs 10:23 It is a
fool's pleasure to do wickedness, but wisdom is a man of understanding's pleasure.
...Vexation (36 Occurrences)
... body. (See JPS DBY). Proverbs 12:16 Afool's vexation is presently known;
But a prudent man concealeth shame. (See JPS ASV DBY RSV)....
Fools (53 Occurrences)
... workers of iniquity. (DBY). Psalms 39:8 From all my transgressions deliver
me, A reproach of thefool make me not. (See NIV). Psalms 74...
Understanding's (1 Occurrence)
... Understanding's (1 Occurrence). Proverbs 10:23 It is afool's pleasure to do wickedness,
but wisdom is a man of understanding's pleasure. (WEB)....
Grief (252 Occurrences)
... A foolish son is a grief to his father" (ie source of provocation; the same word
is rendered "wrath" in 12:16, the King James Version "afool's wrath," the...
Grieve (29 Occurrences)
... A foolish son is a grief to his father" (ie source of provocation; the same word
is rendered "wrath" in 12:16, the King James Version "afool's wrath," the...
Weighty (7 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Proverbs 27:3 A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but afool's wrath
is heavier than them both. (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV)....
Invites (7 Occurrences)
... is looking for destruction. (See NIV). Proverbs 18:6 Afool's lips come
into strife, and his mouth invites beatings. (WEB RSV NIV)....
Mouth (534 Occurrences)
... of witnesses" (Numbers 35:30; compare Deuteronomy 17:6 Matthew 18:16 Hebrews
10:28); "I will give you mouth and wisdom" (Luke 21:15); "fool's mouth" (Proverbs...
Beatings (5 Occurrences)
... measure, in deaths often. (See RSV). Proverbs 18:6 Afool's lips come into
strife, and his mouth invites beatings. (WEB). Proverbs 19:29...
Resources
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