Proverbs 17:12

פָּג֬וֹשׁ דֹּ֣ב שַׁכּ֣וּל בְּאִ֑ישׁ וְאַל כְּ֝סִ֗יל בְּאִוַּלְתּֽוֹ

Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.

Connections

וַיֹּאמֶר חוּשַׁי אַתָּה יָדַעְתָּ אֶת-אָבִיךָ וְאֶת-אֲנָשָׁיו כִּי גִבֹּרִים הֵמָּה וּמָרֵי נֶפֶשׁ הֵמָּה כְּדֹב שַׁכּוּל בַּשָּׂדֶה וְאָבִיךָ אִישׁ מִלְחָמָה וְלֹא יָלִין אֶת-הָעָֽם׃

For, said Hushai, thou knowest thy father and his men, that they be mighty men, and they be chafed in their minds, as a bear robbed of her whelps in the field: and thy father is a man of war, and will not lodge with the people.

Hosea 13:8

אֶפְגְּשֵׁם כְּדֹב שַׁכּוּל וְאֶקְרַע סְגוֹר לִבָּם וְאֹכְלֵם שָׁם כְּלָבִיא חַיַּת הַשָּׂדֶה תְּבַקְּעֵֽם׃

I will meet them as a bear that is bereaved of her whelps, and will rend the caul of their heart, and there will I devour them like a lion: the wild beast shall tear them.

Proverbs 28:15

אֲרִי-נֹהֵם וְדֹב שׁוֹקֵק מוֹשֵׁל רָשָׁע עַל עַם-דָּֽל׃

As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.

Proverbs 27:3

כֹּֽבֶד-אֶבֶן וְנֵטֶל הַחוֹל וְכַעַס אֱוִיל כָּבֵד מִשְּׁנֵיהֶֽם׃

A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool's wrath is heavier than them both.

2 Kings 2:24

וַיִּפֶן אַֽחֲרָיו וַיִּרְאֵם וַֽיְקַלְלֵם בְּשֵׁם יְהוָה וַתֵּצֶאנָה שְׁתַּיִם דֻּבִּים מִן-הַיַּעַר וַתְּבַקַּעְנָה מֵהֶם אַרְבָּעִים וּשְׁנֵי יְלָדִֽים׃

And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the LORD. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them.

Matthew 2:16

Τότε Ἡρῴδης ἰδὼν ὅτι ἐνεπαίχθη ὑπὸ τῶν μάγων ἐθυμώθη λίαν καὶ ἀποστείλας ἀνεῖλεν πάντας τοὺς παῖδας τοὺς ἐν Βηθλεὲμ καὶ ἐν πᾶσιν τοῖς ὁρίοις αὐτῆς ἀπὸ διετοῦς καὶ κατωτέρω κατὰ τὸν χρόνον ὃν ἠκρίβωσεν παρὰ τῶν μάγων

Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.

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Proverbs 17:12

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Niqqud

Cantillation

Masoretic Phrasing

This book is chanted to the poetic accent system (used only in Job, Psalms, and Proverbs). Each group below ends at one of its pausing accents — translate a group as one unit.

פָּג֬וֹשׁ דֹּ֣ב שַׁכּ֣וּל בְּאִ֑ישׁ Atnach — the verse's main pause — take a breath here וְאַל כְּ֝סִ֗יל Revia Mugrash — a lesser break בְּאִוַּלְתּֽוֹ Silluq — end of the verse

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Word Parts

פָּג֬וֹשׁ

Root word met, meet, together, meeteth

Dictionary form: פָּגַשׁ · paw-ɡAHSH

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar Vqa

Verb — Qal, Infinitive Absolute, absolute state simple action — "he did" adds emphasis — try "surely ___"

פָּגוֹשׁ

Speech Verb Stem Qal Type Infinitive Absolute State Absolute

Verb Chart

Full verb chart

In English

In the KJV here: of her whelps meet

and met ×2 meet together ×2 are met together ×1 as he met ×1 her and she met them ×1 i met ×1 i will meet ×1 meeteth thee ×1

More options

encounter — Broad, neutral; works for planned or chance meetings.

meet — Direct modern equivalent; good for most contexts.

come across — Informal; suits unexpected or incidental meetings.

confront — Use when the meeting carries tension or opposition.

run into — Colloquial; best for sudden, unplanned encounters.

cross paths with — Vivid idiom; emphasizes chance or fate in the meeting.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB6523 H6298

[פָּגַשׁ] verb meet, encounter (synonym פָּגַע); —

Qal Perfect 1 singular פָּגָ֑שְׁתִּי Gen 33:8 3 plural consecutive וּפָֽגְשׁוּ Isa 34:14 Imperfect 3 masculine singular suffix יִפְגָָֽֿשְׁךָ֫ Gen 32:18 (Gi; Baer יִָֽפְגָָֽשְׁךָ֫; van d. H. יִָֽפְגָָּֽשְׁךָ֫), וַיִּפְגְּשֵׁהוּ Exod 4:24; Exod 4:27 3 feminine singular וַתִּפְגֿשׁ 1Sam 25:20 (read probably וַתִּפְגּשׁ Ges^{«GKC:47k»§ 47k}, compare van d. H), etc.; Infinitive absolute פָּגוֺש Prov 17:12 construct פְּגשׁ Jer 41:6 — meet, with accusative Gen 33:8; 1Sam 25:20; Isa 34:14; Jer 41:6, so with suffix Gen 32:18; Exod 4:24; Exod 4:27; 2Sam 2:13 meet, encounter, of bear, with ב person Prov 17:12, of ׳י (like a bear) Hos 13:8 (with suffix person). Niph`al meet together, each other, Perfect 3 plural נִפְגָָּֽשׁוּ Prov 22:2; Prov 29:13, figurative of חֶסֶד וֶאֱמֶת Ps 85:11. Pi`el intensive Imperfect 3 masculine plural יְפַגְּשׁוּ חשֶׁךְ Job 5:14 they keep encountering darkness in the daytime.

Strong's Definition H6298

met, meet, together, meeteth

pāgaš

to come in contact with, whether by accident or violence; figuratively, to concur

to meet, join, encounter

(Qal) to meet, encounter

Variations 12 forms of this word

Translations 12 English renderings

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Word Parts

דֹּ֣ב

Root word bear, bears

Dictionary form: דֹּב · dobe

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar Ncmsa

Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state

דֹּב	Speech Noun Type Common Gender Masculine Number Singular State Absolute

In English

In the KJV here: let a bear

and a bear ×2 and the bear ×1 as a bear ×1 bear ×1 let a bear ×1 like bears ×1 of the bear ×1 she bears ×1

More options

bear — Standard modern term; suits nearly all contexts.

brown bear — Specifies the likely Levantine species; good in natural-history contexts.

grizzly — Vivid for fierce or threatening imagery; culturally familiar.

she-bear — Prefer when the female or maternal ferocity is stressed.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB1804 H1677

דֹּב noun masculine^{Prov 28:15}, feminine^{2Kgs 2:24 (seldom)} bear (from soft or gliding motion, Late Hebrew id., Ethiopic Assyrian dabû (?) Dl^{S 55}; Aramaic דּוּבָּא, ; Arabic , , is however a loan-word compare Hom^{NS 301 f.}); — absolute דֹּב Amos 5:19 + 5 t.; דּוֺב 1Sam 17:34 + 2 t.; plural דֻּבִּים 2Kgs 2:24; Isa 59:11 — bear, female 2Kgs 2:24; 2Sam 17:8; Prov 17:12; Hos 13:8 compare Isa 11:7 undetermined 1Sam 17:34; 1Sam 17:36; 1Sam 17:37; Amos 5:19; Prov 28:15; Isa 59:11; Lam 3:10; Lam 3:10 (on article 1Sam 17:34; Amos 5:19 compare RS^{Sem, i. 119 n}.)

BDB1859 H1677

דּוֺב bear, see below דבב.

דוג, דַּוָּג, דּוּגָה see below דגה

BDB9423 H1677 H1678

דֹּב noun [masculine] bear (so ᵑ7 Biblical Hebrew √ דבב; Syriac ); — absolute ׳ד Dan 7:5.

Strong's Definition H1677

bear, bears

dōb

the bear (as slow)

bear

Variations 8 forms of this word

Translations 11 English renderings

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Word Parts

שַׁכּ֣וּל

Root word barren, bereaved, robbed

Dictionary form: שַׁכּוּל · shahk-KOOL

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar Aamsa

Adjective — masculine singular, absolute state

שַׁכּוּל

Speech Adjective Type Adjective Gender Masculine Number Singular State Absolute

In English

In the KJV here: robbed

robbed ×2 bereaved ×1 is barren among them ×1 one barren among them ×1 that is bereaved ×1

More options

bereaved — Modernizes KJV; most recognizable for loss of children.

childless — Clear, concrete; suits contexts of loss of offspring.

robbed of children — Captures the violent, sudden deprivation nuance.

bereft — Slightly literary; fits poetic or lament passages well.

deprived — Broader register; useful when loss is not only of children.

barren — Retain for animal contexts; avoid for human grief nuance.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB8665 H7909

[שָׁבוּל] adjective childless (through bereavement); — feminine singular שְׁכוּלָה Isa 49:21 (figurative of Zion); — on form see Ba^{NB 47}.

BDB8666 H7909

שַׁכּוּל adjective bereaved, robbed of offspring (Ba^{§ 37 c}); — especially׳דֹּב שׁ 2Sam 17:8; Hos 13:8; Prov 17:12 (simile of fierceness); נְשֵׁיהֶם שַׁכֻּלוֺת Jer 18:21 שַׁכֻּלָה אֵין בָּהֶם Song 4:2 (of flock, in simile) = Song 6:6.

Strong's Definition H7909

barren, bereaved, robbed

šakkûl

bereaved

childless (through bereavement)

Variations 3 forms of this word

Translations 5 English renderings

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Word Parts

בְּ אִ֑ישׁ

בְּ

Prefix — preposition in, at, by, with

אִ֑ישׁ

Root word man, men, one, husband, mans, …

Dictionary form: אִישׁ · eesh

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar R/Ncmsa

Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state

בְּ	Speech Preposition
אִישׁ	Speech Noun Type Common Gender Masculine Number Singular State Absolute

In English

In the KJV here: a man

man ×241 men ×209 a man ×163 every man ×120 the men ×118 the man ×107 every one ×81 one ×57

More options

man — Default singular; covers most direct references to an adult male.

person — Gender-neutral; prefer when context stresses individuality over sex.

husband — Use specifically in marriage or household relationship contexts.

someone — Indefinite pronoun; suits partitive or existential constructions.

everyone — Distributive sense; fits 'each/every man' idioms.

fellow — Informal register; good for relational or contemptuous contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB389 H376 H381 H382

אִישׁ₂₁₆₆ noun masculine man ( = vir) (MI, SI, Phoenician אש, perhaps also Sabean אסם compare Prät^l.c, but DHM^{ZMG 1883, 330}) — ׳א absolute Gen 2:23 +; construct Gen 25:27 +; suffix אִישִׁי Gen 29:32 +, etc.; plural אִישִׁים Ps 141:4 + 2 t. (Phoenician אשם); usually אֲנָשִׁים Gen 12:20 +, from √ אנשׁ q. v.; construct אַנְשֵׁי Judg 6:27 +; suffix אֲנָשַׁי 1Sam 23:12 etc.; — man, opposed to woman Gen 2:23; Gen 2:24; Lev 20:27; Num 5:6; Deut 17:2f; Josh 6:21; Josh 8:25; Jer 40:7, emphasis on sexual distinction & relation Gen 19:8; Gen 24:16; Gen 38:25; Exod 22:15; Lev 15:16 (שִׁכְבַת זָרַ֑ע) vLev 15:18 (וְאִשָּׁה ׳זֿ׳אֲשֶׁר יִשְׁכַּב אִישׁ אֹתָהּ שׁ) Lev 20:10 f; Num 5:13f; Deut 22:22f; Isa 4:1 +; thence = husband, especially with suffix Gen 3:6; Gen 3:16; Gen 16:3; Gen 29:32; Gen 29:34; Lev 21:7; Num 30:7f; Deut 28:56; Judg 13:8f; Ruth 1:3f; 1Sam 25:19; Jer 29:6; Ezek 16:45 +; figurative of ׳י as husband of Israel אִישִׁי Hos 2:18 (opposed to בַּעְלִּי); man as procreator, father Eccl 6:3 of male child Gen 4:1 compare זֶרַע אֲנָשִׁים 1Sam 1:11 man, opposed to beast Exod 11:7; Lev 20:15 (compare אָדָם); compare figurative Ps 22:7 but also of male of animals Gen 7:2 (twice in verse) (אִישׁ וְאִשְׁתּוֺ); man, opposed to God Gen 32:29; Num 23:19 לֹא אִישׁ אֵל וִיכַזֵּב (|| וּבֶןאָֿדָם וְיִתְנֶחָ֑ם); Job 9:32; Job 32:13; Hos 11:9 compare Isa 31:8; Job 12:10 (רוּחַ כָּלבְּֿשַׂר אִישׁ); hence in phrases to denote ordinary, customary, common שֵׁבֶט אֲנָשִׁים 2Sam 7:14 (|| נִגְעֵי בְּנֵי אָדָם); לֶחֶם אֲנָשִׁים Ezek 24:17; Ezek 24:22 [

**אֲנָשִׁים Ezek 24:17; Ezek 24:22 is textual error; We (apparently Sm) אֲנֻשִׁים; Toy^Hpt אוֺנִים (Hos 9:4).] (compare Isa 8:1); אַמַּתאִֿישׁ Deut 3:11 but also contracted אָדָם Ps 49:3; Ps 62:10 man, as valiant 1Sam 4:9 (twice in verse) (וִהְיוּ לַאֲנָשִׁים) so 1Kgs 2:2 compare 1Sam 26:15 so אִישׁ חַיִל 1Sam 31:12; 2Sam 24:9; 1Kgs 1:42 +; also אִישׁ מִלְחָמָה Num 31:49; Deut 2:14; Deut 2:16; Josh 5:4; Josh 5:6 +; even of ׳י Exod 15:3 יהוה אִישׁ מִלְחָמָה; often prefixed to other nouns in apposition אָדוֺן ׳א Gen 42:30; Gen 42:33, שַׂר וְשֹׁפֵט ׳א Exod 2:14, כֹּהֵן ׳א Lev 21:9, סָרִיס ׳א Jer 38:7 particular before adjective, of a people אִישׁ מִצְרִי Gen 39:1; Exod 2:11; Exod 2:19 compare Gen 37:28; Gen 38:1; Gen 38:2; Gen 39:14; 1Sam 17:12; 1Sam 30:11; 1Sam 30:13 +; a man as resident in, or belonging to a place or people Num 25:6; Judg 10:1 + (so Phoenician); usually plural אַנְשֵׁי יִשְׂרָאֵל 1Sam 7:11; 1Sam 31:7 (twice in verse) compare Josh 7:4; Josh 7:5 +; also singularcollective Deut 27:14; Josh 9:6; Josh 9:7; Judg 20:11; 1Sam 11:8 (see Dr) +; 2Sam 10:6; 2Sam 10:8 (טוֺב ׳א); (so MI¹⁰; MI¹³); men = retainers, followers, soldiers 1Sam 18:27; 1Sam 23:3 f 1Sam 24:3; 1Sam 25:13 + compare Deut 33:8 singular collective see Di; אִישׁ אֱלֹהִים man of God = prophet Deut 33:1; Josh 14:6; 1Sam 9:6f; 1Kgs 12:13f + (see אלהים); in phrase followed by abstract אִישׁ חַיִל, מִלְחָמָה ׳א see above; שֵׂיבָה ׳א Deut 32:25, הַדָּמִים ׳א 2Sam 16:7 compare see 8, הַבְּלִיַּעַל ׳א 2Sam 16:7, מָוֶת ׳א 1Kgs 2:26, חָמָס ׳א Ps 140:12; Prov 3:31 +; followed by word of occupation, etc. שָׂדֶה׳א Gen 25:27, הָאֲדָמָה׳א Gen 9:20 (compare Zech 13:5), ׳א הַבֵּנַיִם champion 1Sam 17:4 (compare Dr) v1Sam 17:23, בְּשׂרָה ׳א 2Sam 18:20, אִישׁ עֲצָתוֺ his counsellor Isa 40:13, compare אִישׁ חֶרְמִי 1Kgs 20:42, רֵעִים ׳א Prov 18:24 often distributive = each, every Gen 9:5; Gen 10:5; Gen 40:5 (twice in verse); Exod 12:3 +; including women Job 42:11; 1Chr 16:3 וַיְחַלֵּק לְכָלאִֿישׁ יִשְׂרָאֵל מֵאִישׁ וְעַד אִשָּׁה לְאִישׁ כִּכַּרלֶֿחֶם; of inanimate things 1Kgs 7:30; 1Kgs 7:36 also אִישׁ אִישׁ Exod 36:4; Num 4:19; Num 4:49; Ezek 14:4; Ezek 14:7 +; any one Exod 34:3 (twice in verse); Exod 34:24 +; also אִישׁ אִישׁ Lev 15:2; Lev 22:4; Lev 22:18 +; of gods 2Kgs 18:33 = Isa 36:18 one...another וְהִרְגוּ אִישֿׁ אֶתאָֿחִיו וְאִישׁ אֶתרֵֿעֵהוּ וְאִישׁ אֶתקְֿרֹבוֺExod 32:27, אִישׁ ֗֗֗ אָחִיו Deut 1:16; Mic 7:2 (see אָח), אִישׁרֵ֗֗֗עֵהוּ Gen 11:3; Gen 11:7 + (see רֵעַ) of inanimate things Gen 15:10.

Strong's Definition H376

man, men, one, husband, mans, …

ʾîš

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

man, male (in contrast to woman, female)

Variations 91 forms of this word

Translations 398 English renderings

Man

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Word Parts

וְ אַל

וְ

Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)

אַל

Particle not

Dictionary form: אַל · al

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar C/Tn

Particle — Negative

וְ	Speech Conjunction
אַל	Speech Particle Type Negative

In English

In the KJV here: rather than

not ×238 neither ×59 let not ×44 be not ×26 nor ×23 ye not ×18 no ×17 me not ×15

More options

do not — Most natural modern negative imperative; broadly applicable.

never — Use when the prohibition carries a sense of absolute refusal.

nor — Coordinating negative; links parallel prohibitions or negations.

no — Emphatic short-form negative; fits exclamatory or abrupt contexts.

and do not — Connects a negative command to a preceding clause smoothly.

must not — Stronger deontic force; stresses obligation to refrain.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB419 H408

II. אַל adverb of negation (so Phoenician e.g. CIS^{i.^3,4.5.8}, Biblical Aramaic, Sabean (DHM^{ZMG 1875, 596}), and in the Ethiopic albo, is not), denying however, not objectively as a fact (like לֹא οὐ), but subjectively as a wish (like μή), expressing therefore a deprecation or prohibition:
a.
(a) with a verb, which is then always an imperfect (never an imperative), by preference in the cohortative or jussive mood, where this is in use, and may be of any person or number; Gen 15:1 and often אַלתִּֿירָא fear not! Gen 22:12 אַלתִּֿשְׁלַח יָָֽדְךָ put not forth thy hand, Gen 37:27 וְיָדֵנוּ אַלתְּֿהִיבֿוֺ and let not our hand be upon him, Gen 21:16 אַלאֶֿרְאֶה let me not look upon the death of the lad! Ps 25:2 אַלאֵֿבוֺשָׁה let me not be ashamed; with 1 plural (rare) 2Sam 13:25; Jer 18:18; Jonah 1:14. In an imprecation: Gen 49:4 אַלתּֿוֺתַר have not thou the excellency! Ps 109:12; Job 3:4; Job 3:6. Sometimes strengthened by נָא : Gen 13:8; Gen 18:3 and elsewhere
(b) without a verb, (α) 2Sam 1:21 let (there be) not dew & not rain upon you! Isa 62:6; Ps 83:1. (β) used absolutely, in deprecation Gen 19:18; 2Sam 13:16 (see below אוֺדָה) 2Kgs 3:13; 2Kgs 4:16; 2Kgs 6:27 (see RVm: but possibly to be explained by Dr^{§ 152 iii}; so Th Ke: hardly as Ew^{§ 355 b}) Ruth 1:13 אַל בְּנֹתַי Nay, my daughters, compare Judg 19:23 (γ) after a preceding imperative Amos 5:14; Joel 2:13; Prov 8:10, a jussive Prov 27:2, an infinitive absolute Prov 27:2. (χ) in poetry אַל sometimes expresses vividly the emotion or sympathy of the poet (see Dr^{§ 56-8}); Isa 2:9 וְאַלתִּֿשָּׂא לָהֶם and forgive them not! (with a touch of passion), Ps 41:3; Prov 3:25; Job 5:22; Ps 34:6 (but ᵐ5 ᵑ6 Ew Che here read וּפְנֵיכֶם, probably rightly); Ps 50:3 a may our God come וְאַלֿ יֶ֫חֱשָרשׁ and not be silent! (the psalmist identifying himself with a spectator of the scene vPs 50:2; Ps 50:3 b-c) Ps 121:3 (contrast vPs 121:4 לֹא) Jer 46:6 +.
b. once Prov 12:28 joined closely to a substantive (compare לֹא 2 b) to express with emphasis its negation: In the way of righteousness is life, and in the pathway therecf אַלמָֿוֶת there is no-death! i.e. immortality.
c. once Job 24:25 used in poetry as a substantive, And bring my words לְאַל to nought! —

N.B. 1Sam 27:10 אַלפְּֿשַׁטְתֶּם הַיּוֺם, אַל with the perfect is against all analogy; and either אֶלמִֿי (with ᵐ5. ᵑ9), or better אָן whither? (with ᵑ6 ᵑ7 : see 1Sam 10:14) must be read.

BDB9298 H409 H408

אַל adverb of prohibition, do not . . ., let not . . ., followed by imperfect ( = Biblical Hebrew I. אַל; Zenjirli אל (Had^{22. 23. 29}) Cooke^{160 f.}; compare Pahlavi (Nö^{GGA, 1884, 1016}); not ᵑ7 Syriac); — Dan 2:24 אַלֹתְּֿהוֺבֵד, Dan 4:16; Dan 5:10.

Strong's Definition H408

not, neither, no, nor, nay, …

ʾal

not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (Job 24:25) as a noun, nothing

not, no, nor, neither, nothing (as wish or preference)

do not, let not (with a verb)

Variations 9 forms of this word

Translations 117 English renderings

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Word Parts

כְּ֝סִ֗יל

Root word fool, fools, foolish

Dictionary form: כְּסִיל · keh-SEEL

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar Aamsa

Adjective — masculine singular, absolute state

כְּסִיל

Speech Adjective Type Adjective Gender Masculine Number Singular State Absolute

In English

In the KJV here: a fool

of fools ×16 of a fool ×7 a fool ×6 the fool ×5 but a foolish ×3 a foolish ×2 a fools ×2 and ye fools ×2

More options

fool — Core rendering; suits most prose and poetry contexts.

dullard — Emphasizes stubborn mental obtuseness, not mere silliness.

blockhead — Colloquial; captures the kĕsîl's thick-headed obstinacy vividly.

simpleton — Highlights naive, unreflective character; slightly gentler register.

senseless person — Transparent periphrasis; useful when audience is unfamiliar with 'fool'.

numbskull — Informal; reserves for satirical or rhetorical passages only.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB4120 H3684

I. כְּסִיל₇₀ noun masculine stupid fellow, dullard, fool; — ׳כ Ps 49:11 + 44 t.; plural כְּסִילִים Ps 94:8 + 25 t.; — || בער Ps 49:11; Ps 92:7; Ps 94:8, elsewhere only in Wisd Lt.; he hates knowledge Prov 1:22 delights not in understanding Prov 18:2 it is his sport to do mischief Prov 10:23 his heart proclaimeth אִוֶּלָת Prov 12:23 his mouth poureth it forth Prov 15:2, and feedeth on it Prov 15:14.

Strong's Definition H3684

fool, fools, foolish

kĕsîl

properly, fat, i.e., (figuratively) stupid or silly

fool, stupid fellow, dullard, simpleton, arrogant one

Variations 17 forms of this word

Translations 29 English renderings

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Word Parts

בְּ אִוַּלְתּֽ וֹ

בְּ

Prefix — preposition in, at, by, with

אִוַּלְתּֽ

Root word folly, foolishness, foolish, foolishly

וֹ

Suffix — pronoun his / him / it

Dictionary form: אִוֶּלֶת · ih-weh-LET

Vowels & Accents

Hebrew Alephbet

Grammar R/Ncfsc/Sp3ms

Noun — Common, feminine singular, construct state "___ of …" — bound to the next word

בְּ	Speech Preposition
אִוַּלְתּֽ	Speech Noun Type Common Gender Feminine Number Singular State Construct
וֹ	Speech Suffix Type Pronominal Person Third Person Gender Masculine Number Singular

In English

In the KJV here: in his folly

foolishness ×4 folly ×3 is folly ×3 according to his folly ×2 but the folly ×1 but the foolish ×1 but the foolishness ×1 foolishly ×1

More options

folly — Broad, natural modern term; fits most contexts.

foolishness — Slightly more informal; emphasizes the quality of being foolish.

stupidity — Stronger, blunter register; good for emphatic condemnation.

senselessness — Highlights lack of reason or wisdom; fits Wisdom literature well.

recklessness — Use when folly implies dangerous disregard for consequences.

absurdity — Captures the irrationality angle; more rhetorical or ironic contexts.

Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

BDB195 H200

אִוֶּ֫לֶת₂₅ noun feminine folly. — absolute Prov 12:23 +; construct Prov 14:8 +; suffix אִוַּלְתִּי Ps 38:6, etc.; — folly, special product of כְּסִילִים (see כֶּסֶל) Prov 12:23 + (12 t.); with פְּתָאִים Prov 14:18 with אֱוִלִיים only Prov 16:22; Prov 27:22 for alliteration. It is bound up in mind of boy, to be removed only by rod of discipline Prov 22:15 ׳א personified tears down house built by חַכְמוֺת נָשִׁים Prov 14:1 it is contrasted with תְּבוּנָה Prov 14:29; Prov 15:21.

Strong's Definition H200

folly, foolishness, foolish, foolishly

ʾiwwelet

silliness

foolishness, folly

Variations 10 forms of this word

Translations 17 English renderings

Proverbs 17:11

Read Proverbs 17

Proverbs 17:13