Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, the term "foolishly" is often associated with actions or decisions that are contrary to wisdom, righteousness, and the fear of the Lord. The Bible frequently contrasts the wise with the foolish, emphasizing the moral and spiritual implications of foolish behavior.
Old Testament ReferencesThe concept of acting foolishly is prevalent in the Old Testament, particularly in the wisdom literature. In Proverbs, foolishness is depicted as a lack of understanding and discernment.
Proverbs 14:16 states, "A wise man fears and turns from evil, but a fool is careless and reckless." Here, acting foolishly is associated with a disregard for the consequences of one's actions and a failure to avoid evil.
In
1 Samuel 13:13 , the prophet Samuel rebukes King Saul for acting foolishly by not keeping the commandment of the Lord: "You have acted foolishly," Samuel said. "You have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you; if you had, the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time." Saul's foolishness is characterized by disobedience to God's direct command, resulting in severe consequences for his reign.
New Testament ReferencesThe New Testament continues to address the theme of foolishness, often in the context of spiritual understanding and readiness. In
Matthew 7:26 , Jesus warns against hearing His words and not acting on them: "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." Here, foolishness is equated with a lack of spiritual foundation and preparedness.
The Apostle Paul also addresses foolishness in his epistles. In
Galatians 3:1 , he admonishes the Galatians for their lack of discernment: "O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes, Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified." Paul uses the term "foolish" to describe their susceptibility to false teachings and their departure from the truth of the Gospel.
Theological ImplicationsFrom a theological perspective, acting foolishly is often linked to a rejection of divine wisdom and guidance. The fear of the Lord is described as the beginning of wisdom (
Proverbs 9:10), and thus, foolishness is seen as a departure from a life that honors God. The Bible consistently encourages believers to seek wisdom and understanding, which are rooted in a relationship with God and adherence to His commandments.
Foolishness is not merely intellectual deficiency but a moral and spiritual failing. It reflects a heart that is not aligned with God's will and purposes. The Scriptures call believers to pursue wisdom, which leads to life and blessing, in contrast to the path of foolishness, which leads to destruction and loss.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
adv.) In a foolish manner.
Greek
877. aphrosune -- foolishness... folly,
foolishly. From aphron; senselessness, ie (euphemistically) egotism; (morally)
recklessness -- folly,
foolishly(-ness). see GREEK aphron.
...5397. phluaros -- babbling
... babbling. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: phluaros Phonetic Spelling:
(floo'-ar-os) Short Definition: prating, talkingfoolishly Definition: prating...
Strong's Hebrew
5528. sakal -- to be foolish or a fool... 5527b, 5528. sakal. 5529 . to be foolish or a fool. Transliteration: sakal
Phonetic Spelling: (saw-kal') Short Definition:
foolishly. Word Origin a prim.
...2973. yaal -- to be foolish
... yaal. 2974 . to be foolish. Transliteration: yaal Phonetic Spelling: (yaw-al')
Short Definition:foolishly. Word Origin a prim.... dote, be become, dofoolishly....
1891. habal -- to act emptily, become vain
... 1890, 1891. habal. 1892 . to act emptily, become vain. Transliteration: habal
Phonetic Spelling: (haw-bal') Short Definition:foolishly....
200. ivveleth -- folly
... Word Origin from the same as evil Definition folly NASB Word Usage folly (17),
foolish (1),foolishly (1), foolishness (6). folly, foolishness....
8604. tiphlah -- unsavoriness, unseemliness
... folly,foolishly. From the same as taphel; frivolity -- folly,foolishly. see HEBREW
taphel. 8603, 8604. tiphlah. 8605 . Strong's Numbers.
5039. nebalah -- senselessness, disgrace
... disgrace NASB Word Usage act of folly (2), disgraceful act (1), disgraceful acts
(1), disgraceful thing (3), folly (3),foolishly (1), foolishness (1...
5034. nabel -- to be senseless or foolish
... morally) wicked; causatively, to despise, disgrace -- disgrace, dishounour, lightly
esteem, fade (away, - ing), fall (down, -ling, off), dofoolishly, come to...
Library
In Opposition to those whoFoolishly Imagine that Christ Converted...
... the harmony of the gospels.Book I. Chapter XI."In Opposition to Those WhoFoolishly
Imagine that Christ Converted the People to Himself by Magical Arts. 17....
That we must not SpeakFoolishly and Offensively.
... Third Book. 41. That we must not speakfoolishly and offensively. In Paul's
Epistle to the Ephesians: "Foolish speaking and scurrility...
The Pythagoreans and Stoics, While they Hold the Immortality of...
... Chap. XVIII."The Pythagoreans and Stoics, While They Hold the Immortality
of the Soul,Foolishly Persuade a Voluntary Death. Others...
Socrates had More Knowledge in Philosophy than Other Men, Although...
... Of the False Wisdom of Philosophers. Chap. XX."Socrates Had More Knowledge in
Philosophy Than Other Men, Although in Many Things He ActedFoolishly....
That Lucretius and Others have Erred, and Cicero Himself, in...
... Lucretius, accordingly, acts more correctly in praising him who was the first
discoverer of wisdom; but he actsfoolishly in this, that he supposed it to be...
Examples of True Eloquence Drawn from the Epistles of Paul and the...
... a little. That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were
foolishly, in this confidence of boasting. Seeing that...
Book viii. The Blessed Apostle Paul in Laying Down the Form for...
... like. However, this will-wisdom is followed by foolish preaching, for what
isfoolishly learnt must needs befoolishly preached....
Beware of False Doctrines.
... which is Jesus Christ? Why do wefoolishly perish, not recognising the gift
which the Lord has of a truth sent to us? For this end...
The Uses of the Law
... Yet on your foolish supposition you must do so. For, because I have said the law
cannot save, you havefoolishly asked me what is the use of it?...
In the Second Epistle to the Corinthians, Again...
... a little. That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were
foolishly, in this confidence of boasting. Seeing that...
Thesaurus
Foolishly (20 Occurrences)...Foolishly (20 Occurrences). 2 Corinthians 11:17 That which I speak, I speak it not
after the Lord, but as it were
foolishly, in this confidence of boasting.
...Dote (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A marriage portion. [Obs.] See 1st Dot,
n. 2. (n.) Natural endowments. 3. (vi) To actfoolishly....
Acted (98 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Genesis 31:28 and hast not suffered me to kiss my sons and my
daughters? Now thou hast actedfoolishly. (DBY YLT). Genesis...
Foolish (259 Occurrences)
... Genesis 31:28 and didn't allow me to kiss my sons and my daughters? Now have you
donefoolishly.... 1 Samuel 13:13 Samuel said to Saul, "You have donefoolishly....
Devices (43 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV). Proverbs 14:17 He that is soon angry dealeth
foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated. (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS)....
Prate (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vi) To talk much and to little purpose; to
be loquacious; to speakfoolishly; to babble. 2. (vt) To...
Beseech (85 Occurrences)
... Numbers 12:11 And Aaron said unto Moses, Alas, my lord, I beseech thee, lay not
the sin upon us, wherein we have donefoolishly, and wherein we have sinned....
Beg (77 Occurrences)
... Numbers 12:11 Aaron said to Moses, "Oh, my lord, please don't count this sin against
us, in which we have donefoolishly, and in which we have sinned....
Foolishness (30 Occurrences)
Sinned (156 Occurrences)
... Numbers 12:11 Aaron said to Moses, "Oh, my lord, please don't count this sin against
us, in which we have donefoolishly, and in which we have sinned....
Resources
Can restoration occur after a pastor has been caught in a scandal? | GotQuestions.orgSummary of the Book of 1 Samuel - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.orgWhat are practical ways to depend on God alone? | GotQuestions.orgFoolishly: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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