Lexical Summary sekel: Insight, understanding, prudence, wisdom Original Word: סֶכֶל Strong's Exhaustive Concordance folly From cakal; silliness; concretely and collectively, dolts -- folly. see HEBREW cakal NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom sakal Definition folly NASB Translation folly (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs סֶ֫כֶל noun masculine folly; — Ecclesiastes 10:6. Topical Lexicon Term Overview Derived from the Hebrew root associated with acting unintelligently, סֶכֶל (sekel, Strong’s 5529) denotes “folly” or “stupidity.” Though it occurs only once, its placement in wisdom literature furnishes a window into Israel’s ethical vocabulary and the Bible’s larger wisdom-folly polarity. Old Testament Occurrence Ecclesiastes 10:6: “Folly is set on many high places, but the rich sit in low positions.” Here sekel is contrasted with social order that was expected to favor wisdom and competence. The verse illustrates how sin has disordered creation, allowing foolishness to occupy authority while qualified individuals are marginalized. Interplay with Wisdom Literature 1. Contrast with ḥokmah (“wisdom”) – A core aim of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes is to delineate life according to wisdom versus folly (Proverbs 9:1-18). Sekel embodies the opposite of the “fear of the LORD,” illustrating the moral, not merely intellectual, deficiency of the fool. Theological Themes • Human Fallenness – Sekel exposes the noetic effects of sin; intellectual darkness stems from rebellion against God (Romans 1:21-22). Historical-Cultural Insights Ancient Near Eastern court literature frequently praised wise counsellors. Ecclesiastes’ critique would have jarred monarchs who valued sagacity yet often promoted flatterers. Sekel signals systemic corruption, warning both king and commoner that legitimacy rests on wisdom rooted in reverence for God. Ministerial Implications 1. Discernment in Leadership – Churches must resist elevating charisma over godliness, lest “folly be set in many high places.” 1 Timothy 3:2-7 outlines qualifications that safeguard against sekel. Connections to the New Testament Paul contrasts worldly “wisdom” with the seeming “foolishness of the cross” (1 Corinthians 1:18-25). Sekel helps frame that paradox: true wisdom is revealed in Christ, whereas human systems that enthrone folly will be exposed. Believers are thus exhorted to “walk circumspectly, not as unwise but as wise” (Ephesians 5:15), living counter-culturally in societies still prone to honoring sekel. Forms and Transliterations הַסֶּ֔כֶל הסכל has·se·ḵel hasSechel hasseḵelLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ecclesiastes 10:6 HEB: נִתַּ֣ן הַסֶּ֔כֶל בַּמְּרוֹמִ֖ים רַבִּ֑ים NAS: folly is set in many KJV: Folly is set in great INT: is set folly exalted many 1 Occurrence |
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