Foolishly
Jump to: Webster'sConcordanceThesaurusGreekHebrewLibrarySubtopicsTerms
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 References

The 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 References

The 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 Implications

From 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. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/877.htm - 6k

5397. phluaros -- babbling
... babbling. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: phluaros Phonetic Spelling:
(floo'-ar-os) Short Definition: prating, talking foolishly Definition: prating ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5397.htm - 6k

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. ...
/hebrew/5528.htm - 6k

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, do foolishly. ...
/hebrew/2973.htm - 6k

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. ...
/hebrew/1891.htm - 6k

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. ...
/hebrew/200.htm - 6k

8604. tiphlah -- unsavoriness, unseemliness
... folly, foolishly. From the same as taphel; frivolity -- folly, foolishly. see HEBREW
taphel. 8603, 8604. tiphlah. 8605 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/8604.htm - 6k

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 ...
/hebrew/5039.htm - 6k

5034. nabel -- to be senseless or foolish
... morally) wicked; causatively, to despise, disgrace -- disgrace, dishounour, lightly
esteem, fade (away, - ing), fall (down, -ling, off), do foolishly, come to ...
/hebrew/5034.htm - 5k

Library

In Opposition to those who Foolishly Imagine that Christ Converted ...
... the harmony of the gospels.Book I. Chapter XI."In Opposition to Those Who Foolishly
Imagine that Christ Converted the People to Himself by Magical Arts. 17. ...
/.../augustine/the harmony of the gospels/chapter xi in opposition to those.htm

That we must not Speak Foolishly and Offensively.
... Third Book. 41. That we must not speak foolishly and offensively. In Paul's
Epistle to the Ephesians: "Foolish speaking and scurrility ...
/.../cyprian/three books of testimonies against the jews/41 that we must not.htm

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 ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xviii the pythagoreans and stoics.htm

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 Acted Foolishly. ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xx socrates had more knowledge.htm

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 acts foolishly in this, that he supposed it to be ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xiv that lucretius and others.htm

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 ...
/.../on christian doctrine in four books /chapter 7 examples of true eloquence.htm

Book viii. The Blessed Apostle Paul in Laying Down the Form for ...
... like. However, this will-wisdom is followed by foolish preaching, for what
is foolishly learnt must needs be foolishly preached. ...
/.../book viii the blessed apostle.htm

Beware of False Doctrines.
... which is Jesus Christ? Why do we foolishly perish, not recognising the gift
which the Lord has of a truth sent to us? For this end ...
/.../chapter xvii beware of false doctrines.htm

The Uses of the Law
... Yet on your foolish supposition you must do so. For, because I have said the law
cannot save, you have foolishly asked me what is the use of it? ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/the uses of the law.htm

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 ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books/chapter 12 in the second.htm

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. ...
/f/foolishly.htm - 12k

Dote (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A marriage portion. [Obs.] See 1st Dot,
n. 2. (n.) Natural endowments. 3. (vi) To act foolishly. ...
/d/dote.htm - 7k

Acted (98 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Genesis 31:28 and hast not suffered me to kiss my sons and my
daughters? Now thou hast acted foolishly. (DBY YLT). Genesis ...
/a/acted.htm - 37k

Foolish (259 Occurrences)
... Genesis 31:28 and didn't allow me to kiss my sons and my daughters? Now have you
done foolishly. ... 1 Samuel 13:13 Samuel said to Saul, "You have done foolishly. ...
/f/foolish.htm - 36k

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). ...
/d/devices.htm - 18k

Prate (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vi) To talk much and to little purpose; to
be loquacious; to speak foolishly; to babble. 2. (vt) To ...
/p/prate.htm - 6k

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 done foolishly, and wherein we have sinned. ...
/b/beseech.htm - 31k

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 done foolishly, and in which we have sinned. ...
/b/beg.htm - 37k

Foolishness (30 Occurrences)

/f/foolishness.htm - 15k

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 done foolishly, and in which we have sinned. ...
/s/sinned.htm - 41k

Resources
Can restoration occur after a pastor has been caught in a scandal? | GotQuestions.org

Summary of the Book of 1 Samuel - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.org

What are practical ways to depend on God alone? | GotQuestions.org

Foolishly: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
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.
(KJV WBS)

2 Corinthians 11:21
I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also.
(KJV WBS)

2 Corinthians 11:23
Are they servants of Christ? (I am talking foolishly) I am more so; I have had more experience of hard work, of prisons, of blows more than measure, of death.
(BBE)

1 Timothy 5:13
And they get into the way of doing no work, going about from house to house; and not only doing no work, but talking foolishly, being over-interested in the business of others, saying things which they have no right to say.
(BBE)

Genesis 31:28
and didn't allow me to kiss my sons and my daughters? Now have you done foolishly.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Numbers 12:11
Aaron said to Moses, "Oh, my lord, please don't count this sin against us, in which we have done foolishly, and in which we have sinned.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE WBS NAS RSV NIV)

1 Samuel 13:13
Samuel said to Saul, "You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of Yahweh your God, which he commanded you; for now Yahweh would have established your kingdom on Israel forever.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

1 Samuel 26:21
And Saul said, I have sinned: return, my son David; for I will no more do thee harm, because my life was precious in thine eyes this day: behold, I have acted foolishly, and have erred exceedingly.
(DBY YLT)

2 Samuel 24:10
David's heart struck him after that he had numbered the people. David said to Yahweh, "I have sinned greatly in that which I have done. But now, Yahweh, put away, I beg you, the iniquity of your servant; for I have done very foolishly."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

1 Chronicles 21:8
David said to God, I have sinned greatly, in that I have done this thing: but now, put away, I beg you, the iniquity of your servant; for I have done very foolishly.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

2 Chronicles 16:9
For the eyes of Yahweh run back and forth throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein you have done foolishly; for from henceforth you shall have wars.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS RSV)

Job 1:22
In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.
(KJV ASV WBS)

Job 27:12
Truly, you have all seen it yourselves; why then have you become completely foolish?
(See NAS)

Psalms 75:4
I said unto the fools, Deal not foolishly: and to the wicked, Lift not up the horn:
(KJV WBS)

Proverbs 14:17
He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV)

Proverbs 17:12
It is better to come face to face with a bear whose young ones have been taken away than with a foolish man acting foolishly.
(BBE)

Proverbs 20:19
He who goes about talking of the business of others gives away secrets: so have nothing to do with him whose lips are open wide.
(See RSV)

Proverbs 30:32
"If you have done foolishly in lifting up yourself, or if you have thought evil, put your hand over your mouth.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS)

Isaiah 19:13
The princes of Zoan are become fools, the princes of Noph are deceived; they have caused Egypt to go astray, that are the corner-stone of her tribes.
(See NAS)

Jeremiah 29:23
because they have worked folly in Israel, and have committed adultery with their neighbors' wives, and have spoken words in my name falsely, which I didn't command them; and I am he who knows, and am witness, says Yahweh.
(See NAS)

Subtopics

Foolishly

Related Terms

Folly (68 Occurrences)

Foolish (259 Occurrences)

Madness (13 Occurrences)

Fool (95 Occurrences)

World's (21 Occurrences)

Mortar (16 Occurrences)

Ahithophel (17 Occurrences)

Fools (53 Occurrences)

Preach (72 Occurrences)

Foolishly (20 Occurrences)

Message (222 Occurrences)

Noisome (7 Occurrences)

Utter (111 Occurrences)

Useth (9 Occurrences)

Ordained (70 Occurrences)

Offensive (15 Occurrences)

Loathsome (20 Occurrences)

Laughter (14 Occurrences)

Lewdness (68 Occurrences)

Lustful (10 Occurrences)

Lasciviousness (9 Occurrences)

Grind (12 Occurrences)

Glorying (27 Occurrences)

Groats (4 Occurrences)

Wiser (11 Occurrences)

Well-pleased (11 Occurrences)

Weakness (25 Occurrences)

Wickedness (232 Occurrences)

Investigator (1 Occurrence)

Fester (1 Occurrence)

Frowardness (4 Occurrences)

Feedeth (11 Occurrences)

Failed (58 Occurrences)

Fretteth (1 Occurrence)

Thefts (4 Occurrences)

Trespasses (19 Occurrences)

Rages (5 Occurrences)

Receiveth (48 Occurrences)

Rudiments (5 Occurrences)

Railing (9 Occurrences)

Reference (23 Occurrences)

Expounder (3 Occurrences)

Deeds (309 Occurrences)

Disparagement (1 Occurrence)

Deceit (160 Occurrences)

Desires (151 Occurrences)

Dare (19 Occurrences)

Dares (6 Occurrences)

Discerned (17 Occurrences)

Dying (57 Occurrences)

Mirth (18 Occurrences)

Malice (24 Occurrences)

Mischievous (13 Occurrences)

Pride (277 Occurrences)

Proclaims (6 Occurrences)

Perverteth (7 Occurrences)

Pestle (1 Occurrence)

Perdition (14 Occurrences)

Proclaimeth (10 Occurrences)

Perishing (24 Occurrences)

Boastful (18 Occurrences)

Block (22 Occurrences)

Bray (3 Occurrences)

Bold (21 Occurrences)

Covetous (11 Occurrences)

Craftiness (8 Occurrences)

Correction (26 Occurrences)

Covetousness (22 Occurrences)

Covetings (1 Occurrence)

Cunning (43 Occurrences)

Conceals (8 Occurrences)

Conspirators (2 Occurrences)

Concealeth (7 Occurrences)

Coveting (3 Occurrences)

Catches (7 Occurrences)

Comparison (27 Occurrences)

Appraised (3 Occurrences)

Ahith'ophel (15 Occurrences)

Foolish Woman
Top of Page
Top of Page