Proverbs 26:7

דַּלְי֣וּ שֹׁ֭קַיִם מִפִּסֵּ֑חַ וּ֝מָשָׁ֗ל בְּפִ֣י כְסִילִֽים
The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
Select a Hebrew word above to see its details.

דַּלְי֣וּ
דַּלְי֣וּ
Root word brought, emptied, equal, fail, impoverished, …
Dictionary form: דָּלַל · daw-LAHL

Verb — Qal, Perfect (Qatal), third person plural simple action — "he did" completed action — try "he ___ed" or "he has ___ed" the built-in subject is "they"

In the KJV here: are not equal
are not equal ×1 fail ×1 i am brought ×1 i was brought low ×1 impoverished ×1 shall be emptied ×1 shall be made thin ×1 they are dried up ×1
More options
be reduced — Broad modern fit for lowered status or quantity.
be depleted — Best for resources, water, or strength draining away.
be impoverished — Modernizes KJV; fits economic or social diminishment.
be brought low — Retains figurative force; good for humiliation contexts.
be emptied out — Vivid for physical or metaphorical complete draining.
dwindle — Active, contemporary; suits gradual fading or decline.

BDB1949 H1809

BDB1948 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB1950

דָּלַל verb hang, be low, languish (Late Hebrew Hiph`il thin, thin out vines, etc.; Assyrian dalâlu, be weak, humble ZimBp 74. 97; Arabic direct, guide, , be directed, guided; put in motion, commotion; be in motion, hang, dangle; also amorous, coquettish, gesture or behaviour of women) —

Qal Perfect דֵּלֹּתִי Ps 116:6, דַּלּוֺתִי Ps 142:7 1 plural דַּלּוֺנוּ Ps 79:8, דָּֽלֲלוּ Isa 19:6, דַּלּוּ Isa 38:14; Job 28:4 (on דַּלְיוּ Prov 26:7 compare דָּלָה); — hang, 'depend', Job 28:4 (of one descending a miner's shaft || נָעוּ); be low, of streams Isa 19:6 (|| חָֽרְבוּ); be low, brought low, metaphor of distress Ps 79:8; Ps 116:6; Ps 142:7 languish, of eyes, look languishingly (Che) Isa 38:14. —
Niph`al Imperfect יִדַּל Isa 17:4, וַיִּדַּל Judg 6:6, — be brought low, laid low, Judg 6:6 figurative of Israel; Isa 17:4 of glory of Jacob.

brought, emptied, equal, fail, impoverished, …
dālal
to slacken or be feeble; figuratively, to be oppressed
  • to hang, languish, hang down, be low
    • (Qal)
      • to hang low
        • "to be low"of distress (figuratively)"to languish, look weakly (of eyes)
      (Niphal) to be brought low, be laid low

שֹׁ֭קַיִם
שֹׁ֭קַיִם
Root word shoulder, legs, thigh, hip
Dictionary form: שׁוֹק · shoke

Noun — Common, feminine dual, absolute state dual — a natural pair ("two ___")

In the KJV here: the legs
shoulder ×11 the legs ×2 and the shoulder ×1 his legs ×1 in the legs ×1 the shoulder ×1 the thigh ×1 them hip ×1
More options
thigh — Best for upper leg context; most anatomically precise.
leg — General limb reference; suits narrative or descriptive passages.
haunch — Good for animal cuts or sacrificial portions; slightly technical.
hip — Prefer when joint or lateral body motion is in view.
upper leg — Plain modern alternative when 'thigh' feels ambiguous.
shank — Lower leg / cut of meat; use for culinary or offering contexts.

BDB8557 H7785

BDB8556 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB8558

שׁוֺק19 noun [feminine]Lev 7:33 compare AlbrZAW xvi (1896), 76 f., so Arabic, see Lane WAG. § 290 (δ)] leg; — ׳שׁ absolute 1Sam 9:24 +, construct Exod 29:27 +; dual שֹׁקַיִם Deut 28:35; Prov 26:7, construct שׁוֺקֵי Ps 147:10, suffix שׁוֺקָיו Song 5:15 — leg:

1. of man, specifically lower leg, calf, distinguished from thigh, in עֵליָֿרֵךְ ׳וַיַּךְ אוֺתָם שׁ Judg 15:8 he smote them, leg upon thigh, i.e. utterly (compare GFM), Deut 28:35 (|| בִּרְכַּיִם), Prov 26:7; Ps 147:10; Song 5:15 of woman (city personified) Isa 47:2.
2. of sacrificial animal, specifically upper leg, thigh, hind leg, portion eaten 1Sam 9:24 (compare KleinZPV vi (1883), 98, cited also by NesMarg. 13), הַיָּמִין ׳שׁ right thigh Exod 29:32 + 6 t. P (see יָמִין), הַתְּדוּמָה ׳שׁ Lev 7:34 + 4 t. P, thigh of contribution (see ׳ת p. 929). — ᵐ5 βραχίων, ᵑ9 armus, hence AV and others shoulder, but see Di Baen DrDeut 18:3.

BDB9941 H7785

BDB9940 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9942

שׁוק (√ of following; Biblical Hebrew I. שׁוק, שׁוֺק).

shoulder, legs, thigh, hip
šôq
the (lower) leg (as a runner)
  • leg, thigh
    • of man; specifically the lower leg (calf) as opposed to the thigh
      • "of sacrificial animal; specifically the thigh, upper leg, hind leg, as the portion eaten

מִ פִּסֵּ֑חַ
מִ
Prefix — preposition from, out of
פִּסֵּ֑חַ
Root word lame
Dictionary form: פִּסֵּחַ · pis-SAY-ah

Adjective — masculine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: of the lame
and the lame ×5 the lame ×2 a lame ×1 and was lame ×1 as if it be lame ×1 is lame ×1 of the lame ×1 shall the lame ×1
More options
lame — Direct modern equivalent; still widely understood and used.
crippled — Emphasizes physical disability; slightly stronger than 'lame'.
disabled — Neutral, inclusive modern term for mobility impairment.
limping — Captures active, visible gait; good for narrative contexts.
unable to walk — Plain descriptive phrase; clearest for general audiences.
mobility-impaired — Clinical register; suits formal or accessibility-focused translations.

BDB6698 H6455

BDB6697 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6699

פִּסֵּחַ adjective lame; — absolute ׳פ 2Sam 9:13 +; plural פִּסְחִים 2Sam 5:6 +; — as attributive Lev 21:18 (+עִוֵּר); predicate 2Sam 19:27, שְׁתֵּי רַגְלָיו ׳פ 2Sam 9:13 lame as to both his feet; compare also (of animal) Deut 15:21 (+עִוֵּר); as substantive 2Sam 5:6; 2Sam 5:8 (twice in verse); Jer 31:8; Mal 1:8; Mal 1:13; Job 29:15 (all + עִוֵּר), also Isa 33:23; Isa 35:6; Prov 26:7.

lame
pissēaḥ
lame
  • lame

וּ ֝מָשָׁ֗ל
וּ
Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)
֝מָשָׁ֗ל
Root word parable, proverb, proverbs, parables, byword, …
Dictionary form: מָשָׁל · maw-SHAWL

Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: so is a parable
his parable ×9 proverb ×5 a parable ×4 a proverb ×4 proverbs ×3 and a proverb ×2 so is a parable ×2 the proverbs ×2
More options
proverb — Best for short, pithy wisdom sayings; most common sense.
parable — Use for extended narrative or illustrative comparison.
saying — Neutral, colloquial; fits brief proverbial expressions.
byword — When a person or place becomes a cautionary example.
allegory — Use when the figurative layer is sustained and elaborate.
taunt — Fits contexts of mockery or public ridicule (e.g. Isa 14:4).

BDB4874 H4912

BDB4873 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4875

II. מָשָׁל noun masculineIsa 14:4 proverb, parable (of sentences constructed in parallelism, usually of Hebrew Wisdom, but occasionally of other types); — absolute ׳מ Ezek 17:2 + 20 t.; construct מְשַׁל 1Sam 24:14 suffix מְשָׁלוֺ Num 23:7 + 8 t.; plural מְשָׁלִים Eccl 12:9 + 2 t.; construct מִשְׁלֵי Prov 1:1 + 3 t.; —

1. proverbial saying, brief terse sentence of popular sagacity 1Sam 10:12; Ezek 12:22; Ezek 12:23; Ezek 18:2; Ezek 18:3 הַקַדְמֹנִי ׳מ 1Sam 24:14 proverb of the ancients.
2. by-word Ps 44:15; Ps 69:12 לְמָשָׁל וְלִשְׁנִינָה Deut 28:37; 1Kgs 9:7; 2Chr 7:20; Jer 24:9 לְאוֺת וּלְמָשָׁל Ezek 14:8
3. prophetic figurative discourse: נָשָׂא מָשָׁל lift up, utter a ׳מ Num 23:7; Num 23:18; Num 24:3; Num 24:15; Num 24:20; Num 24:21; Num 24:23 (all of Balaam); Isa 14:4; Mic 2:4 (|| נהי) Hab 2:6 (|| חידה), (compare Job 27:1; Job 29:1 for same phrase under 6).
4. similitude, parable, Ezek 17:2; Ezek 21:5; Ezek 24:3.

5. poem, of various kinds: the ode (Num 21:27-30), the 3,000 pieces traditionally ascribed to Solomon 1Kgs 5:12, didactic psalms Ps 49:5; Ps 78:2.
6. sentences of ethical wisdom דִּבְרֵי חֲכָמִים collected in the מִשְׁלֵי שְׁלֹמֹה Prov 10:1; Prov 25:1 (Prov 10:1-22:16 consisting of 376 couplets chiefly antithetical; Prov 25:1-29:200 chiefly couplets of an emblematic type, but also occasional tristichs, tetrastichs, pentastichs, and decastichs. To these are appended דְּבָרִים of a more mixed character as to size and content Prov 30:1-14 vProv 30:15-33; Prov 31:1-9 vProv 31:10-31 the Praise of Wisdom Prov 1:8-9 is prefixed, and an introduction to the whole Prov 1:1-7, in which the whole contents are represented as) משׁלים Prov 1:1, compare vProv 1:6. The references in Job 13:12; Job 27:1; Job 29:1; Prov 26:7; Prov 26:9; Eccl 12:9 are to the same type of wisdom.

parable, proverb, proverbs, parables, byword, …
māšāl
properly, a pithy maxim, usually of metaphorical nature; hence, a simile (as an adage, poem, discourse)
  • proverb, parable
    • proverb, proverbial saying, aphorism
      • "byword"similitude, parable"poem"sentences of ethical wisdom, ethical maxims

בְּ פִ֣י
בְּ
Prefix — preposition in, at, by, with
פִ֣י
Root word mouth, commandment, edge, according, word, …
Dictionary form: פֶּה · peh

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

In the KJV here: in the mouth
mouth ×30 the commandment ×26 the mouth ×26 my mouth ×23 his mouth ×21 thy mouth ×18 of his mouth ×17 according to ×14
More options
mouth — Most literal; use for the physical organ or speech.
command — When פֶּה means an authoritative order or directive.
word — Softer than 'command'; suits spoken declarations or sayings.
edge — Used with swords or blades; 'the edge of the sword'.
according to — Idiomatic prepositional sense; matches proportional or conforming contexts.
speech — Highlights oral/verbal communication rather than the organ itself.

BDB6536 H6310 H6366 H6374

BDB6535 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6537

פֶּה485 noun masculineJosh 9:2 mouth (probably biliteral [פו, פי] Sta§ 183; Late Hebrew = Biblical Hebrew; Phoenician לפי according to; Assyrian pû, mouth; Arabic , , ; Ethiopic ; Syriac according to; but also Arabic , , , Biblical Aramaic פֻּם, ᵑ7 פּוּמָא; Syriac ; Mandean פומא NöM § 87); — absolute ׳פ Exod 4:10 +, construct פִּי Isa 1:20 +; suffix 1 singular פִּי Gen 45:12 +, 2 masculine singular פִּיךָ Gen 41:40 +, 3 masculine singular פִּיו Gen 25:28 +, פִּיהוּ Exod 4:15 +, 3 masculine plural פִּיהֶם Judg 7:6 +, פִּימוֺ Ps 17:10 + 2 t., etc.; plural פִּיּוֺת Prov 5:4, (שְׁנֵי) פֵיוֺת Judg 3:16, פִּיפִיּוֺת Isa 41:15; Ps 149:6 פִּים 1Sam 13:21 (corrupt, see Dr and others); —

1. a. mouth, of man, organ of eating and drinking Gen 25:28; Judg 7:6; 1Sam 14:26; 1Sam 14:27; Neh 9:20; Prov 19:24 = Prov 26:15 +; figurative as finding things sweet Job 20:12; Ps 119:103 figurative of earth Gen 4:11, swallowing Korah, etc. Num 16:30; Num 16:32; Num 26:10; Deut 11:6 figurative also of Sh®°ôl, וּפָֽעֲרָה פִיהָ Isa 5:14, compare Ps 69:16.
  b. external organ, וַיָּשֶׂם פִּיו עַלפִּֿיו 2Kgs 4:34; Prov 30:20 of kissing 1Kgs 19:18; Song 1:2, וַתִּשַּׁק יָדִי לְפִי Job 31:27 compare phrase שִׂים יָד עַלפֶּֿה (of keeping silence) Judg 18:19; Mic 7:16; Job 21:5, compare Job 29:9; Job 40:4; Prov 30:32 of mocking triumph ׳פָּעַר עָלַי בְּפ Job 16:10 עַל ׳הִרְחִיב פ Ps 35:21; Isa 57:4, also רָחַב פִּי עַל 1Sam 2:1.
  c. of ׳י in theoph., sending out fire 2Sam 22:9 = Ps 18:9.
2. a. much oftener, as organ of speech, of man: ׳פ speaks Gen 45:12; 2Sam 1:16; Isa 9:16; Job 9:20; Job 15:5; Job 15:6; Ps 37:30 +; speak בְּמוֺפִֿי Job 19:16 open ׳פ, ׳אֶליֿ Judg 11:35; Judg 11:36, absolute Job 3:1; Job 33:2 +; shut ׳פ (be silent) Isa 52:15, compare ׳חָשַׂךְ פ Job 7:11, and (of iniquity, personified) ׳קָצַף פ Job 5:16; Ps 107:42 guard ׳פ, Prov 13:3 (נָצַר), Prov 21:23 (שָׁמַר), compare ׳שָׁמַר פִּתְחֵי פ Mic 7:5, also Ps 39:2 (see שׁמר); words, etc., are in (ב) mouth 2Sam 17:5; 2Sam 18:25; Deut 30:14; 1Kgs 17:24 ׳שִׂים דְּבָרִים בְּפ 2Sam 14:3; 2Sam 14:19; Exod 4:15, also (God subject) Num 22:38; Num 23:12; Num 23:16 +; of utterance ׳יָצָא מִפּ Judg 11:36; Num 30:3; Num 32:24; +; depart from mouth (cease to be mentioned) ׳מוּשׁ מִפּ Josh 1:8; Isa 59:21, compare ׳נִכְרַת מִפּ Jer 7:28, לֹא יִשָּׁמַע עַלפִּֿיךָ Exod 23:13 ׳אִמְרֵי פ Deut 32:1 words of my mouth, so Job 8:2; Ps 19:15; Ps 54:4 ׳דְּבְרֵי פ Ps 36:4; Eccl 10:12 of agency, ׳כְּפּ by the mouth of 2Chr 36:21; 2Chr 36:22 = ׳מִפּ Ezra 1:1 דִּכֶּר פִּיו עִםפִּֿיו Jer 32:4 speak mouth to mouth = Jer 34:3 ׳פ = speech, sayings Isa 29:13; Ps 49:14; Eccl 10:3 ׳כְּבַד פ Exod 4:10 heavy of speech (not eloquent); ׳אֶהְיֶה עִםפֿ vExod 4:12 vExod 4:15, i.e. aid thee in speaking; ׳יִהְיֶהלְּֿךָ לְפ vExod 4:16 he shall be mouth for thee; מִפִּיו יִקְרָא אֵלַי Jer 36:18, i.e. dictate; ׳כָּתַב מִפּ see כָּתַב 1 b (3); bad qualities ascribed to it, ׳עִקְּשׁוּת פ Prov 4:24; Prov 6:12 פִּי תַהְפֻּכוֺת Prov 8:13 פֶּה חָלָק Prov 26:28 ׳אַלתַּֿגְדֵּל פ Obad 1:12, compare Mic 6:12; Ezek 35:13.
  b. as laughing Job 8:21; Ps 126:2 panting Ps 119:131.
  c. of God; his mouth speaks Isa 1:20; Isa 40:5; Jer 9:11 +; he speaks ׳בְּפ 1Kgs 8:15; 1Kgs 8:34 word proceeds ׳מִפּ Deut 8:3; Isa 45:23 +; פֶּה אֶלפֶּֿה אֲדַכֵּר כּוֺ Num 12:8 he creates בְּרוּחַ פִּיו Ps 33:6 he executes judgment כְּשֵׁבֶט פִּיו Isa 11:4 especially = command: ׳עָבַר אֶתפִּֿי י 1Sam 15:24; Num 14:41, compare Num 22:18; Prov 8:29 ׳פ (אֶתֿ) מָרָה 1Sam 12:14; 1Sam 12:15; Num 20:24; 1Kgs 13:21 +; compare 6 d. d. of idols, Ps 115:5; Ps 136:16; Ps 136:17.
  e. of musical instrument = sound Amos 6:5 (compare 6 d).
3. of animals: bird Gen 8:11 (carrying), Isa 10:14 (chirping); ass Num 22:28 (speaking); bear, lion 1Sam 17:35 (seizing), Amos 3:12 (id.), hippop. Job 40:23 (drinking), crocodile Job 41:11; Job 41:13 (breathing flame); also of human foes, under figure of ravenous beasts Ps 22:22; Ezek 21:27; Ezek 34:10 פָּצָה עַל ׳פ Ps 22:14; Lam 2:16; Lam 3:46 hence of edge of sword, חֶרֶב פִּיּוֺת Prov 5:4 a sword with edges (in simile), = ׳ח פִּיפִיּוֺת Ps 149:6 compare Judg 3:16 see also 6 c (2), below; בַּעַל פִּיפִיּוֺת Isa 41:15, of מוֺרַג.
4. mouth = opening, orifice; of well Gen 29:2; Gen 29:3 (twice in verse); Gen 29:8; Gen 29:10 cave Josh 10:18; Josh 10:22; Josh 10:27 ravine, abyss Jer 48:28 (si vera lectio, compare Gie); also of Sh®°ôl Ps 141:7 of a sack Gen 42:27; Gen 43:12; Gen 43:21; Gen 44:1; Gen 44:2; Gen 44:8 ephah Zech 5:8 high-priest's robe Exod 28:32 + 5 t., compare probably Ps 133:2 tunic Job 30:18 of a round opening also 1Kgs 7:31 (3 t. in verse) (on text and meaning see Benz Kit); of mouth of Nile Isa 19:7 (others brink); gate of city Prov 8:3 (but read perhaps לִפְנֵי, see Toy).
5. a. extremity, end פֶּה לָפֶה from end to end, of a temple 2Kgs 10:21 city 2Kgs 21:16, מִפֶּה אֶלפֶּֿה of land Ezra 9:11.
  b. = portion, פִּי שְׁנַיִם Deut 21:17; 2Kgs 2:9; Zech 13:8.
6. with prepositions: —
  a. אֶל פִּי, see below d (2).
  b. כְּפִי:
   (a) according to the command of, 1Chr 12:23
   (b) according to the mouth of, i.e. in proportion to (compare Assyrian ki-i pi-i, DlHWB 325), Exod 16:21 they gathered it אִישׁ כְּפִי אָכְלוֺ each in proportion to his eating (Exod 16:16 vExod 16:18 לְפִי), Lev 25:52 כְּפִי שָׁנָיו according to the number of his years (compare vLev 25:16 לְפִי); Num 6:21; Num 7:5 אִישׁ כְּפִי עֲבֹדָתוֺ (so 2Chr 31:2), 2Chr 7:7; 2Chr 7:8; 2Chr 35:8 (all P); Job 33:6 הֵןאֲֿנִי כְפִיךָ לָאֵל I am in the proportion of thee as regards God, i.e. I stand towards God even as thou dost. As conjunction, כְּפִי אֲשֶׁר, Mal 2:9 כְּפי אֲשֶׁר אֵינְכֶם שֹׁמְרִים אֶתדְּֿרָכַי accusative asye do not keep, etc.; and without אשׁר Zech 2:4 כְּפִי אִישׁלֹֿא נָשָׂא ראֹשׁוֺ in such proportion that none did lift up his head (but We Now אֲשֶׁר for אִישׁ, that it, Judah, did not, etc.).
  c. לְפִי, nearly the same with כְּפִי (see לְ 5 i b), but more common (compare Aramaic לְפוּם, ): (1) Gen 47:12 לְפִי הַטָּ֑ף, Exod 12:4 ye shall compute אִישׁ לְפִי אָכְלוֺ each according to his eating (according to the quantity which his family will consume), Exod 16:16; Exod 16:18; Lev 25:16 לְפִי רֹב הַשָּׁנִים, vLev 25:16 vLev 25:51; Lev 27:16 לְפִי זַרְעוֺ, Num 26:54; Josh 18:4; 1Kgs 17:1 except לְפִי דְבָרִי, Hos 10:12 קִצְרוּ לְפִי חֶסֶד (|| לִצְדָקָה), Prov 12:8; Prov 27:2: followed by infinitive Num 9:17 לְפִי הֵעָלוֺת הֶעָנָן = accusative as the cloud was lifted up, Jer 29:10. (2) in the phrase לְפִי חֶרֶב according to the mouth, or measure, of the sword, i.e. as the sword devours, without quarter, Gen 34:26; Exod 17:13; Num 21:24 + often
  d. עַל פִּי: (1) according to (עַל 1 f a) the mouth of, i.e.
   (a) the command of, Gen 41:40; Gen 45:21; Exod 17:1; Exod 38:21; Num 3:16; Num 3:39 + (especially P), 2Kgs 23:35 (β) the evidence or sentence of, Deut 17:6 עַלפִּֿי עֵד אֶחָד, Deut 19:15; Deut 21:5 (on עַלפִּֿי הַנָּ֑בֶל Amos 6:5, see 2 e above). (2) according to the measure of, in accordance with, Gen 43:7 we told him על פי הדברים האלה according to these words (i.e. the questions Joseph asked), Exod 34:27 in accordance with these words, Lev 27:8 עלפֿי אשׁר תַּשִּׂיג יַד הנֹּדֵר according to what the hand of the vower can reach to, vLev 27:18 (compare לְפִי Lev 25:16; Lev 25:51), Deut 17:10; Deut 17:11; 2Sam 13:32 (but see שׂוּמָה), Prov 22:6 חֲנֹךְ לַנַּעַר על פי דרכו. In the same sense אֶל פִּי, Josh 15:13; Josh 17:4; Josh 21:3.

BDB9814 H6310 H6433

BDB9813 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9815

פֻּם noun masculineDan 7:8 mouth (compare Biblical Hebrew פֶּה; on form see K§ 61, 2) M§ 76f.); — ׳פ absolute Dan 7:8; Dan 7:20, construct Dan 4:28 +, suffix פֻּמֵּהּ (on form see Kl.c. NöZur Gram. d. Class. Arabic 15 (1896) (expansion of biliteral √), BaZMG xii (1887), 633 f.) Dan 7:5 — mouth of king Dan 4:28, lions Dan 6:23, beast (in vision) Dan 7:5, horn (ib.) vDan 7:8 vDan 7:20 mouth of pit Dan 6:18.

פַּס see פסם. below

mouth, commandment, edge, according, word, …
pe
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition) according to
  • mouth
    • mouth (of man)
      • "mouth (as organ of speech)"mouth (of animals)"mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc)"extremity, end

כְסִילִֽים
כְסִילִֽים
Root word fool, fools, foolish
Dictionary form: כְּסִיל · keh-SEEL

Adjective — masculine plural, absolute state plural — usually add "-s"

In the KJV here: of fools
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.

BDB4120 H3684

BDB4119 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4121

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.

fool, fools, foolish
kĕsîl
properly, fat, i.e., (figuratively) stupid or silly
  • fool, stupid fellow, dullard, simpleton, arrogant one

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.
דַּלְי֣וּ שֹׁ֭קַיִם Dechi — a lesser break מִפִּסֵּ֑חַ Atnach — the verse's main pause — take a breath here וּ֝מָשָׁ֗ל Revia Mugrash — a lesser break בְּפִ֣י כְסִילִֽים Silluq — end of the verse

דַּלְיוּ שֹׁקַיִם מִפִּסֵּחַ וּמָשָׁל בְּפִי כְסִילִֽים׃
7
The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
Cross References

Proverbs 26:9

חוֹחַ עָלָה בְיַד-שִׁכּוֹר וּמָשָׁל בְּפִי כְסִילִֽים׃
9
As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

Proverbs 17:7

לֹא-נָאוָה לְנָבָל שְׂפַת-יֶתֶר אַף כִּֽי-לְנָדִיב שְׂפַת-שָֽׁקֶר׃
7
Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.

Psalms 64:8

וַיַּכְשִׁילוּהוּ עָלֵימוֹ לְשׁוֹנָם יִתְנֹדֲדוּ כָּל-רֹאֵה בָֽם׃
8
So they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves: all that see them shall flee away.

Matthew 7:4

ἢ πῶς ἐρεῖς τῷ ἀδελφῷ σου Ἄφες ἐκβάλω τὸ κάρφος ἀπὸ τοῦ ὀφθαλμοῦ σου καὶ ἰδού ἡ δοκὸς ἐν τῷ ὀφθαλμῷ σοῦ
4
Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?

Psalms 50:16

וְלָרָשָׁע׀ אָמַר אֱלֹהִים מַה-לְּךָ לְסַפֵּר חֻקָּי וַתִּשָּׂא בְרִיתִי עֲלֵי-פִֽיךָ׃
16
But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth?

Luke 4:23

καὶ εἶπεν πρὸς αὐτούς Πάντως ἐρεῖτέ μοι τὴν παραβολὴν ταύτην· Ἰατρέ θεράπευσον σεαυτόν· ὅσα ἠκούσαμεν γενόμενα ἐν τῇ Καπερναούμ ποίησον καὶ ὧδε ἐν τῇ πατρίδι σου
23
And he said unto them, Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country.
Proverbs 26:6
Read Proverbs 26
Proverbs 26:8