Topical Encyclopedia
In the Bible, the term "fool" is used to describe individuals who lack wisdom, reject God, and engage in morally and spiritually deficient behavior. The concept of foolishness is contrasted with wisdom, which is rooted in the fear of the Lord and adherence to His commandments.
Old Testament ReferencesThe Hebrew word for fool, "kesil," often appears in the wisdom literature, particularly in the Book of Proverbs.
Proverbs 1:7 states, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." This verse sets the tone for understanding foolishness as a rejection of divine instruction and moral guidance.
Fools are characterized by their speech and actions.
Proverbs 10:18 says, "He who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool." This highlights the fool's tendency to engage in deceit and harmful speech. Additionally,
Proverbs 12:15 notes, "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to counsel," illustrating the fool's arrogance and unwillingness to accept advice.
The Psalms also address the nature of fools.
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.
New Testament ReferencesIn the New Testament, the Greek word "moros" is used to describe fools. Jesus addresses the concept of foolishness in the Sermon on the Mount. In
Matthew 7:26 , He warns, "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." This parable emphasizes the folly of ignoring Christ's teachings and the inevitable downfall that follows.
The Apostle Paul also speaks of foolishness in his epistles. In
1 Corinthians 1:18 , 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." Here, Paul contrasts the world's perception of the Gospel as foolishness with its true power and wisdom for believers.
Characteristics of Fools1.
Rejection of God: Fools deny God's existence and authority, leading to moral and spiritual decay (
Psalm 14:1).
2.
Pride and Arrogance: Fools are often self-assured and dismissive of wise counsel (
Proverbs 12:15).
3.
Destructive Speech: Fools engage in slander, deceit, and reckless words (
Proverbs 10:18).
4.
Lack of Self-Control:
Proverbs 29:11 states, "A fool vents all his anger, but a wise man holds it back," highlighting the fool's impulsive nature.
5.
Resistance to Correction: Fools resist discipline and correction, preferring their own misguided ways (
Proverbs 15:5).
Consequences of FoolishnessThe Bible warns of the dire consequences of living as a fool.
Proverbs 13:20 advises, "Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm." Associating with fools leads to personal harm and spiritual peril. Furthermore,
Proverbs 19:3 observes, "A man’s own folly subverts his way, yet his heart rages against the LORD," indicating that foolishness leads to self-destruction and misplaced blame on God.
Wisdom as the AntidoteThe Scriptures consistently present wisdom as the remedy for foolishness.
Proverbs 9:10 declares, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." Embracing wisdom involves reverence for God, humility, and a commitment to His ways, which stand in stark contrast to the path of the fool.
Greek
3474. moros -- dull, stupid, foolish... Word Origin a prim. word Definition dull, stupid, foolish NASB Word Usage fool
(1), foolish (7), foolish things (1), foolishness (1),
fools (2). foolish.
...3471. moraino -- to be foolish
... See 3474 (). Word Origin from moros Definition to be foolish NASB Word Usage
becamefools (1), become tasteless (2), made foolish (1)....
3473. morologia -- foolish talking
... grip) on reality. This is the "talk offools, involving foolishness and sinning
together" (R. Trench, 121). See 3474 (). Word Origin...
Strong's Hebrew
5036. nabal -- foolish, senseless... Word Origin from nabal Definition foolish, senseless NASB Word Usage fool (9), foolish
(5), foolish man (1), foolish women (1),
fools (1),
fools* (1).
...1984b. halal -- to be boastful, to praise
... give praise (1), giving praise (1), glory (8), go mad (1), going mad (1), mad (1),
madness (1), make its boast (1), makes a mad (1), makesfools (1), making...
191. evil -- foolish
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition foolish NASB Word Usage fool (11), fool's
(1), foolish (6), foolish man (1),fools (7). foolish man....
2973. yaal -- to be foolish
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to be foolish NASB Word Usage acted foolishly
(2), becomefools (1), foolish (1). dote, be become, do foolishly....
1121. ben -- son
... descendants (14), descendants of the son (1), deserves (2), exiles* (5), father*
(1), fellow* (3), fellows (2), fertile* (1), foal (1),fools* (1), foreigner...
3684. kesil -- stupid fellow, dullard, fool
... Word Origin from kasal Definition stupid fellow, dullard, fool NASB Word Usage fool
(35), fool's (2), foolish (6), foolish man's (1),fools (23), stupid (1...
Library
Here Again Arises a Very Difficult Question. For in what Way Shall...
... Section 28. Here again arises a very difficult question. For in what way shall
wefools? 28.... He used to leadfools by faith, you lead by reason....
Es Spricht Der Unweisen Mund Wohl. The Mouth ofFools Doth God...
... III. Es spricht der Unweisen Mund wohl. The Mouth ofFools doth God confess. PSALM
XIV.-"Dixit insipiens in corde suo, Non est Deus." MELODY, Wittenberg, 1525....
But those who are Despised for their Ignorance, and Set Down as...
... Chapter XLVIII. But those who are despised for their ignorance, and set
down asfools and abject? But those who are despised for...
But who are the Teachers whom we Call Triflers andFools...
... Chapter LVII. But who are the teachers whom we call triflers andfools?
But who are the teachers whom we call triflers andfools...
For I Ask, if what is not Known must not be Believed...
... reason. For no one doubts that all men are eitherfools or wise. [1744]
But now I call wise, not clever and gifted men, but those...
Lessons for Worship and for Work
... 'Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than
to give the sacrifice offools: for they consider not that they do evil.2...
Wherefore, Although I am not Able to Teach...
... am not able to teach, yet I cease not to advise, that, (whereas many wish to appear
wise, and it is no easy matter to discern whether they befools,) with all...
On the Words of the Gospel, John xiv. 6, "I am the Way, and the...
... 4195] They are the Apostle's words, not mine: "And their foolish heart was darkened;
for professing themselves to be wise, they becamefools." [4196] What by...
1 Cor. Iv. 10
... Homily XIII. 1 Cor. iv. 10. 1 1 Corinthians 4:10 "We arefools for Christ's sake:"
(For it is necessary from this point to resume our discourse:) "but ye are...
Essay i. Fortuna Plerumque Est Veluti Galaxia Quarundam Obscurarum...
... "Does Fortune favourfools?... In this sense the proverb is current by a misuse, or
a catachresis at least, of both the words, fortune andfools....
Thesaurus
Fools (53 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Fools (53 Occurrences). Matthew 23:17 You blind
fools!
... (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Matthew 23:19 You blind
fools!
...Foolishness (30 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS). Proverbs 12:23 A prudent man keeps his knowledge, but the
hearts offools proclaim foolishness. (WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS)....
Thoughtless (17 Occurrences)
... And scoffers delight them in scoffing, Andfools hate knowledge?... Proverbs 8:5 O ye
simple, understand prudence; And, yefools, be of an understanding heart....
Simple (40 Occurrences)
... good), and sometimes in a bad sense (Proverbs 7:7, parallel to "destitute of
understanding"; Proverbs 8:5, parallel to "fools" (blockheads); Proverbs 14:15...
Prudent (40 Occurrences)
... (KJV WBS). 1 Corinthians 4:10 We arefools for Christ's sake, but ye prudent in
Christ: we weak, but ye strong: ye glorious, but we in dishonour. (DBY NAS)....
Folly (68 Occurrences)
... but it means, rather, "arrogant," which the Revised Version (British and American)
adopts (Psalm 5:5; Psalm 73:3; Psalm 75:4, margin "fools"); cakhal, "a fool...
Greater (219 Occurrences)
... (KJV WEY BBE WBS). Matthew 23:17 You blindfools! For... (WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE
DBY WBS YLT RSV NIV). Matthew 23:19 You blindfools! For...
Whether (239 Occurrences)
... you. (KJV). Matthew 23:17 Yefools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold,
or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? (KJV). Matthew...
Important (39 Occurrences)
... Matthew 23:6 and love the place of honor at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues,
(See NIV). Matthew 23:17 You blindfools!... Matthew 23:19 You blindfools!...
Foolishly (20 Occurrences)
... foolish? (See NAS). Psalms 75:4 I said unto thefools, Deal not foolishly:
and to the wicked, Lift not up the horn: (KJV WBS). Proverbs...
Resources
How does the Bible describe a fool? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is a fool according to the book of Proverbs? | GotQuestions.orgDo Proverbs 26:4 and 26:5 contradict? How can both verses be true? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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