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 Usage

The 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 Usage

In 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 Fools

Biblical 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 Foolishness

The 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.191. evil -- foolish
... 190, 191. evil. 192 . foolish. Transliteration: evil Phonetic Spelling:
(ev-eel') Short Definition: fool. Word Origin from an unused ...
/hebrew/191.htm - 5k

3684. kesil -- stupid fellow, dullard, fool
... 3683, 3684. kesil. 3685 . stupid fellow, dullard, fool. Transliteration:
kesil Phonetic Spelling: (kes-eel') Short Definition: fool. ...
/hebrew/3684.htm - 6k

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 a fool's voice is ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/lessons for worship and for.htm

Dedicatory Letter.
... This debt I have now resolved honestly to discharge, as well as may be, and to be
court fool for once in my life: if I fail, I shall at any rate gain this ...
/.../luther/first principles of the reformation/dedicatory letter.htm

The Guilt and Folly of Denying God.
... All Knowledge proves "there is a God:". "There is no God," the Fool replies,. ... Pours
flowers along its Maker's path; But the Fool's heart a Fool's remains,. ...
/.../montgomery/sacred poems and hymns/hymn vi the guilt and.htm

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 the fool's back" (chap ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxv the figurative language.htm

The Races --A Letter
... All the way from the Champs Elysees the huge piece of fool's tackle had lumbered
and creaked hither across the sea to Martinique, and was now making the round ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter xv the racesa letter.htm

The Two Guards, Praying and Watching
... Brethren, "we are not ignorant of his devices." You are not left in a fool's paradise,
to dream of security from trial, and to fancy that you are past ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/the two guards praying and.htm

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 small fool's paradise of theirs ...
/.../all saints day and other sermons/sermon xxxi the unchangeable christ.htm

Against Gossip
... let it die with thee: be of good courage, it will not burst thee. A fool will
travail in pain with a word, as a woman in labour with a child. ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/iii against gossip.htm

The Sound in the Mulberry Trees
... He goes on a fool'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 ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/the sound in the mulberry.htm

A Sermon on the Boat Race.
... If you have lived to be grey-headed, remember your silver hair may make a fool's
cap yet! There are other lessons, but they will keep till another year. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/champness/broken bread/xxi a sermon on the.htm

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. ...
/f/fool's.htm - 8k

Vexation (36 Occurrences)
... body. (See JPS DBY). Proverbs 12:16 A fool's vexation is presently known;
But a prudent man concealeth shame. (See JPS ASV DBY RSV). ...
/v/vexation.htm - 18k

Fools (53 Occurrences)
... workers of iniquity. (DBY). Psalms 39:8 From all my transgressions deliver
me, A reproach of the fool make me not. (See NIV). Psalms 74 ...
/f/fools.htm - 20k

Understanding's (1 Occurrence)
... Understanding's (1 Occurrence). Proverbs 10:23 It is a fool's pleasure to do wickedness,
but wisdom is a man of understanding's pleasure. (WEB). ...
/u/understanding's.htm - 6k

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 "a fool's wrath," the ...
/g/grief.htm - 45k

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 "a fool's wrath," the ...
/g/grieve.htm - 23k

Weighty (7 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Proverbs 27:3 A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool's wrath
is heavier than them both. (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV). ...
/w/weighty.htm - 8k

Invites (7 Occurrences)
... is looking for destruction. (See NIV). Proverbs 18:6 A fool's lips come
into strife, and his mouth invites beatings. (WEB RSV NIV). ...
/i/invites.htm - 8k

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 ...
/m/mouth.htm - 91k

Beatings (5 Occurrences)
... measure, in deaths often. (See RSV). Proverbs 18:6 A fool's lips come into
strife, and his mouth invites beatings. (WEB). Proverbs 19:29 ...
/b/beatings.htm - 7k

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