3472. mória

Lexicon

mória: Foolishness, folly

Original Word: μωρία
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: mória
Pronunciation: mo-REE-ah
Phonetic Spelling: (mo-ree'-ah)
Definition: Foolishness, folly
Meaning: folly, absurdity, foolishness.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

foolishness.

From moros; silliness, i.e. Absurdity -- foolishness.

see GREEK moros

HELPS Word-studies

Cognate: 3472 mōría (from 3474 /mōrós) – folly; literally, dull (lacking sharpness).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from móros
Definition
foolishness
NASB Translation
foolishness (5).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 3472: μωρία

μωρία, μωρίας, ἡ (μωρός), first in Herodotus 1, 146 (Sophocles, others). foolishness: 1 Corinthians 1:18, 21, 23; 1 Corinthians 2:14; 1 Corinthians 3:19 (Sir. 20:31).

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek word μωρός (mōrós), meaning "foolish" or "dull."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for μωρία, the concept of foolishness is present in the Hebrew Scriptures. The Hebrew word אִוֶּלֶת (ivvelet, Strong's Hebrew 200) is often used to denote folly or foolishness, particularly in the wisdom literature such as Proverbs. Another related term is כְּסִילוּת (kesilut, Strong's Hebrew 3689), which also conveys the idea of foolishness or lack of understanding. These terms similarly contrast human folly with divine wisdom, a theme that is consistent throughout both the Old and New Testaments.

Usage: The word μωρία is used in the New Testament to describe the perceived foolishness of the message of the cross and the wisdom of God, which contrasts with human wisdom. It appears primarily in the writings of the Apostle Paul.

Context: The term μωρία is prominently featured in the Pauline epistles, particularly in 1 Corinthians. Paul uses μωρία to highlight the contrast between human wisdom and divine wisdom. In 1 Corinthians 1:18, Paul states, "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." Here, μωρία is used to describe how the gospel message is perceived by those who rely on worldly wisdom. Paul further elaborates in 1 Corinthians 1:21, "For since in the wisdom of God, the world through its wisdom did not know Him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe." This passage underscores the idea that God's plan of salvation, though seen as foolish by human standards, is the true wisdom and power of God.

The use of μωρία serves to challenge the values and assumptions of Greco-Roman culture, which prized rhetorical skill and philosophical insight. By embracing what the world considers foolish, believers demonstrate their trust in God's superior wisdom. Paul’s argument is that true wisdom and understanding come from God, and what may appear as folly to the world is, in fact, the profound truth of the gospel.

Forms and Transliterations

μωρια μωρία μωριαν μωρίαν μωριας μωρίας moria moría mōria mōría morian morían mōrian mōrían morias morías mōrias mōrías

Englishman's Concordance

1 Corinthians 1:18 N-NFS
GRK: μὲν ἀπολλυμένοις μωρία ἐστίν τοῖς
NAS: of the cross is foolishness to those
KJV: that perish foolishness; but
INT: indeed perishing foolishness is those

1 Corinthians 1:21 N-GFS
GRK: διὰ τῆς μωρίας τοῦ κηρύγματος
NAS: through the foolishness of the message preached
KJV: by the foolishness of preaching
INT: by the foolishness of the proclamation

1 Corinthians 1:23 N-AFS
GRK: ἔθνεσιν δὲ μωρίαν
NAS: and to Gentiles foolishness,
KJV: and unto the Greeks foolishness;
INT: to Greeks moreover foolishness

1 Corinthians 2:14 N-NFS
GRK: τοῦ θεοῦ μωρία γὰρ αὐτῷ
NAS: of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot
KJV: they are foolishness unto him:
INT: of God foolishness indeed to him

1 Corinthians 3:19 N-NFS
GRK: κόσμου τούτου μωρία παρὰ τῷ
NAS: world is foolishness before
KJV: world is foolishness with God.
INT: world of this foolishness with

Strong's Greek 3472
5 Occurrences

μωρία — 3 Occ.
μωρίαν — 1 Occ.
μωρίας — 1 Occ.