Lexical Summary kesiluth: Foolishness, folly Original Word: כְּסִילוּת Strong's Exhaustive Concordance foolish From kciyl; silliness -- foolish. see HEBREW kciyl NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom kasal Definition stupidity NASB Translation folly (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs כְּסִילוּת noun feminine stupidity; — Proverbs 9:13 ׳אֵשֶׁת כ, the woman Stupidity, in antithesis with חָכְמוֺת the Supreme Wisdom personified as a woman. Topical Lexicon Summary of Meaning כְּסִילוּת depicts a settled disposition of foolishness that resists wisdom and moral instruction. It is not intellectual limitation but a willful, self-absorbed posture that despises the fear of the LORD. Scriptural Context The term appears once, in Proverbs 9:13, within Solomon’s extended contrast between wisdom and folly (Proverbs 1–9). Wisdom is portrayed as a noble lady inviting the inexperienced to life; folly is cast as a loud, reckless woman whose guests descend to Sheol. By using the singular word כְּסִילוּת, the inspired author concentrates the full weight of moral folly into one vivid personification. Personification of Folly “Folly is an unruly woman; she is simple and knows nothing” (Proverbs 9:13). This literary device places foolishness in direct competition with personified Wisdom (Proverbs 8). Lady Folly’s: Her banquet promises excitement but ends in spiritual death (Proverbs 9:18). The single occurrence of כְּסִילוּת underscores that true folly needs no multitude of words; one voice of rebellion can destroy many. Literary and Theological Significance 1. Wisdom Theology: כְּסִילוּת embodies the antithesis of the “fear of the LORD” (Proverbs 9:10). Embracing folly is therefore a theological choice against God. Historical Setting Ancient Near Eastern scribal schools also contrasted wisdom and folly, yet Proverbs roots the issue in reverence for the LORD, not merely pragmatic skill. The single occurrence likely served as a mnemonic cue for young Israelites memorizing the text: folly is easily remembered and must be quickly avoided. Related Concepts • אִוֶּלֶת (ivvelet, “foolishness”)—general lack of discernment (Proverbs 14:17). Practical Implications for Ministry • Preaching: Contrast the solitary but potent warning of כְּסִילוּת with the many calls of divine wisdom to highlight the urgency of repentance. Application for Contemporary Believers 1. Evaluate inputs: Whose table are you dining at—Wisdom’s or Folly’s? כְּסִילוּת stands as a solitary yet piercing reminder that true life is found only in heeding the voice of Wisdom and walking in the fear of the LORD. Forms and Transliterations כְּ֭סִילוּת כסילות kə·sî·lūṯ Kesilut kəsîlūṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Proverbs 9:13 HEB: אֵ֣שֶׁת כְּ֭סִילוּת הֹֽמִיָּ֑ה פְּ֝תַיּ֗וּת NAS: The woman of folly is boisterous, KJV: A foolish woman [is] clamorous: INT: the woman of folly is boisterous naive 1 Occurrence |
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