כְּסִילוּת (ke.si.lut)
ke.si.lut
stupidity
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 kesilut denotes a state of profound foolishness or stupidity. It appears only once in the Old Testament, found in Proverbs 9:13 where it personifies folly as a loud, unruly woman who lacks self-control and knowledge.
Unlike wisdom which is portrayed as structured and discerning, kesilut represents a chaotic absence of understanding. The term captures not just simple ignorance, but an active, reckless disregard for moral order. This singular usage highlights the biblical view that true folly is a character flaw rooted in a refusal to learn.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word kesilut describes a deep kind of foolishness that goes beyond simple mistakes. In Proverbs 9:13, it is shown as a loud, undisciplined person who refuses to learn. This image helps us see that true folly is not just about lacking information. It is an active choice to ignore moral order and wisdom.
For your daily life, this word serves as a gentle warning. It reminds us that ignoring guidance leads to chaos. When we choose to listen and learn, we step away from this destructive path. Seeking understanding brings peace and stability to our hearts and decisions.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- folly1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- כְּ֭סִילוּת1×
Key Verses
-
Proverbs 9:13
The foolish woman is loud, undisciplined, and knows nothing.
This verse personifies kesilut as a loud, undisciplined woman who knows nothing, highlighting the chaotic nature of active foolishness.