אִוֶּ֫לֶת
iv.ve.let (H0200)
folly
AI Word Study
# H0200 (אִוֶּלֶת): Folly in Biblical Hebrew The Hebrew word *ivvelet* carries the basic meaning of "folly"—a departure from wisdom or sound judgment. With 25 occurrences across the biblical text, it represents a significant concept in Hebrew moral vocabulary. The term denotes not merely ignorance but a deliberate or characteristic foolishness, marking a fundamental flaw in how one thinks and acts. The frequency of this word's appearance suggests that folly was understood as a serious concern in biblical culture, worthy of repeated attention and warning. By appearing 25 times, *ivvelet* functioned as an established category for moral and intellectual failure, making it a key term in the biblical worldview's system of values. The regularity of its use indicates that ancient Hebrews considered folly a problem that deserved sustained reflection and critique. Without access to specific contextual examples, the lexical data alone establishes that *ivvelet* operated as a stable term for human foolishness within biblical discourse. Its presence across multiple texts underscores that folly was not merely an occasional human failing but a persistent threat to proper living that biblical writers felt compelled to address repeatedly.
AI synthesis uses only provided lexicon data -- never training knowledge.
He will die for lack of instruction. In the greatness of his folly, he will go astray.
A prudent man keeps his knowledge, but the hearts of fools proclaim foolishness.
Every wise woman builds her house, but the foolish one tears it down with her own hands.
The wisdom of the prudent is to think about his way, but the folly of fools is deceit.
He who is quick to become angry will commit folly, and a crafty man is hated.
The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
The crown of the wise is their riches, but the folly of fools crowns them with folly.
He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a quick temper displays folly.
The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of fools gush out folly.
The heart of one who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly.
Folly is joy to one who is void of wisdom, but a man of understanding keeps his way straight.
Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it, but the punishment of fools is their folly.
Let a bear robbed of her cubs meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.
He who answers before he hears, that is folly and shame to him.
The foolishness of man subverts his way; his heart rages against Yahweh.
Folly is bound up in the heart of a child: the rod of discipline drives it far from him.
The schemes of folly are sin. The mocker is detested by men.
Don’t answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him.
Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.
As a dog that returns to his vomit, so is a fool who repeats his folly.
Though you grind a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with grain, yet his foolishness will not be removed from him.