In common usage today, the term fool often has the connotation of some kind of mental disability. But Scripture regards someone as a fool not based on intelligence but on what the person does with it—how he or she behaves.
The Simple—Translators often render the Hebrew word peti as “simple.” While such individuals may have adequate intelligence, they allow others to lead or trick them. They are gullible and perhaps even silly in their behavior and outlook. Naive, the peti will accept everything that others tell them (Prov. 14:15; 22:3). Willfulness and irresponsibility get the “simple” into all kinds of trouble (Prov. 1:32).
The book of Proverbs suggests that dramatic illustrations or examples may sometimes help these fools see the error of their ways. Perhaps if the peti observe what happens to others, they will stop and think about where they are heading (Prov. 19:25). But if the peti refuse to open their eyes, they face a worse fate. They can slide into folly. Folly is a premeditated rebellion against God and His principles of life. They and the hasarleb, or “senseless,” consider their life of folly great “joy” or “fun” (Prov. 15:21). The “senseless” indulge in “frivolity” (Prov. 12:11).
Proverbs 7 describes the “simple” as aimless, inexperienced, and drifting into temptation—indeed almost courting it.
The Fool—English-language Bibles generally translate three Hebrew words as “fool.” The most common, kesîl, appears about 50 times in the book of Proverbs. The word seems to mean someone who is deliberately obtuse. While the kesilim may be bright enough, they refuse to discipline themselves so that they can profitably use their intelligence. They do not want to put forth the effort it takes to find God’s wisdom (Prov. 17:24).
The kesilim babble foolishly (Prov. 15:2), little realizing that they only expose their folly (Prov. 13:16). Even when the kesilim try to offer some proverbial wisdom, they mangle it. It comes out as useless as a crippled leg (Prov. 26:7), or even as dangerous as a viciously thorned bush waved around by a drunk (v. 9).
As appalling as the behavior of a fool may be, the kesilim actually like their folly. They have no desire to escape it but continually return to it, as a dog does to its vomit (Prov. 26:11). Their folly leads them into all kinds of fantasies and delusions (Prov. 14:8). They can convince themselves of anything, no matter how preposterous. Because fools deceive themselves, in the process, they reject the only way to wisdom—the fear of the Lord (Prov. 1:29). Complacency destroys them (verse 32).
Fools of this type are not only dangerous to themselves but also threaten society as a whole. At the very least they waste people’s time. The sage urges his readers not to hang around them. If life is a pursuit of wisdom and divine knowledge, fools are the very worst source for finding it (Prov. 14:7). In fact, they can even be dangerous (Prov. 13:20). While the harm can be physical, financial, or social, it is always spiritually lethal.
Once an idea gets into the minds of the kesilim, nothing will stop them (Prov. 17:12). History is full of people who have plunged families, institutions, and even whole nations into ruin because of some obsession. Such fools destroy anyone who tries to warn them of the dangers of what they are doing. Folly becomes a game or sport to such fools (Prov. 10:23), no matter how terrible what they do might be.
It is bad enough just to encounter the kesilim, but to be related to one—especially as a parent—is especially tragic. The parent has to share in the dishonor of the fool. Thus the presence of a fool in a family raises questions about the other members.
Ancient parents could not excuse their foolish offspring by blaming their behavior on bad genes or developmental stages. Society considered children to be simply an extension of the parents. Parents of fools experience grief (Prov. 10:1; 17:25), bitterness (Prov. 17:25), and ruin or tragedy (Prov. 19:13). Even a mother’s love cannot reach them. The more parents love their foolish children, the more the fools despise them (Prov. 15:20).
The ’ewilim is a related term for fool. The ’ewil, appears 19 times in the book and is almost interchangeable with kesil. The ’ewilim expose their foolishness the second they open their mouths (Prov. 10:14; 17:28; 24:7). Just as quarrelsome as the kesilim (Prov. 20:3), they would quickly explode in anger (Prov. 12:16). If you get caught in a legal dispute with them, expect only ranting and ridicule (Prov. 29:9). And it would be displayed in public since legal hearings took place at the city gate or in an open space in the market.
They are not interested in learning from others, only in tearing down others’ ideas and beliefs. Nor do they want to discuss anything. The Hebrew of the latter part of Proverbs 29:9 literally means “and there is no quiet” or “quietness,” thus allowing no opportunity for serious discussion.
The ’ewilim reject all advice (Prov. 1:7; 10:8), even if it comes from a parent (Prov. 15:5), in a culture in which parents typically had significant influence and respect. Such fools think they alone are right (Prov. 12:15). Society must deal with this folly as early as possible before it becomes permanent in the child (Prov. 22:15). The sage usually does not see much chance for changing a fool (Prov. 27:22) no matter how drastic the measure is, but if the young are trained early on, there is hope for them. Such education must be firm, consistent, and unyielding.
The Nabalim—Appearing only three times in the book of Proverbs, the term nabal brings out the boorishness of fools. They are crude and insensitive in their behavior.
Nabal appears elsewhere as the name of the wealthy man who rebuffed David’s request for help in return for protection (1 Sam. 25:25), and in Psalms 14:1: “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, they have done abominable works.”
The Les—The final term is the scoffer, les. Proverbs employs it 17 times, usually either in contrast with the wise or with one of the other terms for fool. The biblical writer mainly uses it to indicate that attitude, not intelligence, defines a fool. As with their fellow fools, scoffers dislike correction or discipline. When you rebuke, they will abuse (Prov. 9:7) or hate you (v. 8) in return. Scoffers refuse to listen to correction (Prov. 13:1) because they simply do not like to be confronted when they do something wrong or foolish. They will, if at all possible, avoid the wise (Prov. 15:12). Their mindset makes it impossible for them to learn wisdom (Prov. 14:6). The scoffer is proud and haughty (Prov. 21:24) and creates continual strife, quarreling, and abuse (Prov. 22:10; 29:8). Fortunately, many people of common sense will detect their true nature, finding them “an abomination” (Prov. 24:9). Eventually, scoffers will receive their just punishment (Prov. 19:29). God bestows on them what they have done to others (Prov. 3:34).
The book of Proverbs points out several traits common to all fools. For example, besides being arrogant and self-centered, they are emotional time bombs ready to explode at the slightest provocation (Prov. 14:17, 29; 29:11). Fools enjoy quarrels and fights (Prov. 20:3). Instead of seeking advice from others, they rely on their own knowledge and reasoning (Prov. 12:15; 28:26), considering themselves “wise in their own eyes” (Prov. 26:5, NIV). Their greatest problem is lack of self-control, whether it be of their behavior and feelings (Prov. 12:23) or of what they blurt out (Prov. 10:14; 17:28; 18:13).