Strong's Lexicon holelah: Folly, foolishness Original Word: הוֹלֵלָה Word Origin: Derived from the root הָלַל (halal), which means "to boast" or "to be foolish." Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: - G877 (aphrosynē) - foolishness - G3472 (moros) - foolish Usage: The term "holelah" is used in the Hebrew Bible to denote a state of foolishness or folly. It often describes actions or behaviors that are senseless, lacking wisdom, or contrary to God's ways. The word carries a negative connotation, highlighting the consequences of living without regard for divine instruction. Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Israelite culture, wisdom was highly valued, and folly was seen as a deviation from the path of righteousness. The wisdom literature, particularly the books of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, frequently contrasts wisdom with folly, urging the faithful to seek understanding and live according to God's commandments. Folly was not just a lack of intelligence but a moral failing, often associated with sin and rebellion against God. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom halal Definition madness NASB Translation insanity (1), madness (3). Brown-Driver-Briggs [הוֺלֵלָה] noun feminine madness (on text see below), only plural הֹלֵלוֺת, הוֺלֵלוֺת, and only Ecclesiastes: Ecclesiastes 1:17 and I set my heart (וָאֶתְּנָה לִבִּי) to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly (הֹלֵלוֺת וְשִׂכְלוּת), compare הוֺלֵלוֺת Ecclesiastes 2:12 ("" id.); ׳וְלָדַעַת רֶשַׁע כֶּסֶל וְהַסִּכְלוּת ה Ecclesiastes 7:25; i.e. to know folly to be madness; possibly read חוֺלֵלוּת, compare סִכְלוּת & following; the moral evil of it is specifically recognized in Ecclesiastes 9:3 ("" רָע). Strong's Exhaustive Concordance madness Feminine active participle of halal; folly -- madness. see HEBREW halal Forms and Transliterations הוֹלֵל֖וֹת הוֹלֵלֽוֹת׃ הוללות הוללות׃ וְהוֹלֵל֖וֹת וְהוֹלֵל֤וֹת והוללות hō·w·lê·lō·wṯ holeLot hōwlêlōwṯ veholeLot wə·hō·w·lê·lō·wṯ wəhōwlêlōwṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ecclesiastes 1:17 HEB: חָכְמָ֔ה וְדַ֥עַת הוֹלֵל֖וֹת וְשִׂכְל֑וּת יָדַ֕עְתִּי NAS: and to know madness and folly; KJV: and to know madness and folly: INT: wisdom know madness and folly realized Ecclesiastes 2:12 Ecclesiastes 7:25 Ecclesiastes 9:3 4 Occurrences |