הוֹלֵלוּת (ho.le.lut)
ho.le.lut
madness
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun hōlēlûth translates directly to madness, appearing only once in the Old Testament within Ecclesiastes 10:3. In this context, it describes a state of folly or absurdity that characterizes a foolish leader. The term captures more than simple error; it points to a disordered mind that leads to irrational actions and poor judgment.
This single occurrence highlights how biblical wisdom literature views the consequences of unwise leadership. When a ruler acts with hōlēlûth, the resulting chaos affects the entire community. The text uses this word to illustrate the stark contrast between wisdom and folly, showing how a lack of discernment can destabilize society.
The rarity of this word in Scripture makes its usage particularly significant. It serves as a sharp warning against the dangers of unchecked foolishness in positions of power. By identifying this specific type of madness, the author emphasizes that true leadership requires clarity of thought and moral integrity to avoid such destructive outcomes.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word hōlēlûth describes a deep disordered state, appearing only once in Scripture within Ecclesiastes 10:13. It captures more than simple error; it points to a mind so clouded by folly that actions become absurd and destructive. When leaders or those in influence act with such madness, the resulting chaos ripples outward, affecting entire communities.
For your daily life, this rare term serves as a sobering reminder of the weight our words carry. It invites us to examine our own speech and decisions, asking whether they bring clarity or confusion. True wisdom requires a disciplined mind and moral integrity, guarding against the irrational impulses that can destabilize relationships and trust.
May you find peace in seeking discernment, knowing that God grants wisdom to those who ask. Let your conversations reflect thoughtfulness and grace, contributing to an environment of stability rather than disorder.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [is] madness1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- הוֹלֵל֖וּת1×
Key Verses
-
Ecclesiastes 10:13
The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness; and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.
This verse uniquely uses hōlēlûth to describe the final, destructive phase of a foolish leader's speech, highlighting how initial folly escalates into chaotic madness.