כָּסַל (ka.sal)
ka.sal
be stupid
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb kāsāl means to be foolish or stupid, appearing only once in the Old Testament at Jeremiah 10:8. In this context, it describes the lack of insight characteristic of idolaters who follow vain and lifeless teachings. The word points to a profound deficiency in understanding rather than a simple mistake.
Its rarity in Scripture highlights the severity with which such spiritual blindness is viewed. By using this term, the prophet contrasts the wisdom of God with the absurdity of worshipping crafted images. The word underscores that true folly is not merely ignorance but a refusal to recognize divine truth.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word kāsāl appears only once in the Old Testament, found in Jeremiah 10:8. Here it describes a deep lack of insight among those who trust in idols. It is not simply about making a mistake or lacking knowledge. Instead, it points to a stubborn refusal to see what is clearly true.
When we face choices that seem wise but lead us away from God, this word warns us. True folly is not just ignorance; it is the heart's resistance to divine truth. We are invited to examine our own lives, asking where we might be trusting in things that cannot save us. Let us seek the wisdom that comes from recognizing God's reality.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ they may be foolish1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וְ/יִכְסָ֑לוּ1×
Key Verses
-
Jeremiah 10:8
But they are together brutish and foolish, instructed by idols! It is just wood.
This verse uses kāsāl to contrast the spiritual blindness of idolaters with the clear truth of God, showing that folly is a refusal to recognize divine reality.