Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

FOOL

In the Bible, foolishness is most often an ethical concept and goes beyond a lack of native intelligence. Contrasted with the wise (Prov. 1:7; 15:5), the fool first is a person who acts without counsel (12:15) and is indiscreet (v. 23; 13:16), hot-tempered (14:29; 17:12), ignorant (Eccl. 2:14), indolent (4:5), and thickheaded (2:12). He is easily led astray (Prov. 1:22), rehearsing his folly like a dog that returns to its vomit (26:11). Ruin is his end (Prov. 10:8). If he is capable of learning (Prov. 18:2; 23:9), it comes only through brutish discipline (10:13; 19:29).

The fool is the deliberate sinner who persists in evil (Eccl. 5:1[MT 4:17]), lying, slandering, and enjoying mischief like sport (Prov. 10:18, 23). Refusing to obey God (1 Sam. 13:13; cf. MT Deut. 22:21; 2 Sam. 13:11-14), a fool confides in others (2 Chr. 16:9). The fool thus “practices ungodliness” and does injustice (Isa. 32:6). Such is the example of Nabal, whose name means “fool” (1 Sam. 25:25). Elsewhere, the fool is the atheist, one who openly declares, “There is no God” (Ps 14:1; 53:1[2]).

In the NT the fool is described as witless (Luke 11:40; 1 Cor. 15:36) and dull (Matt. 23:17), one who opposes truth (2 Tim. 3:8-9) and fails to make adequate provisions (Matt. 25:1-13). Jesus contrasts the wise, who obey his teachings, with the fool who refuses (Matt. 7:24-27). When condemning intent as well as action, Jesus also denounces the use of the word “fool” as an invective (Matt. 5:22).

Kenneth D. Mulzac

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

FOOL

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)