נָבָל (na.val)
na.val
foolish
H:AQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 15 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:A
Definition
Definition
Brown-Driver-Briggs
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
What This Word Means for Your Faith
In Scripture, the Hebrew word naval describes more than simple lack of intelligence. It points to a moral and spiritual condition where a person rejects God’s authority. The Psalmist notes that this mindset leads to saying in one’s heart that there is no God (Psalms 14:1). This is not merely an intellectual disagreement but a practical rebellion that corrupts behavior.
Understanding this term helps us see why wisdom literature warns against folly so strongly. It is a path that leads to shame and broken relationships, as seen in the tragic stories of II Samuel. Yet, recognizing our own tendency toward foolishness invites us to rely on God’s guidance rather than our own limited understanding.
May we seek the wisdom that comes from above, asking God to keep our hearts aligned with His truth. In doing so, we find protection from the emptiness that folly brings and walk in the light of His enduring love.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 15 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- a fool7×
- foolish3×
- to/ a fool1×
- the/ fools1×
- the/ foolish women1×
- for/ a fool1×
- and/ a fool1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- נָבָ֖ל3×
- נָבָֽל\׃2×
- נָ֝בָ֗ל2×
- נָבָל֙1×
- נָבָ֣ל1×
- נָ֭בָל1×
- לְ/נָבָ֣ל1×
- לְ/נָבָ֖ל1×
- וְ֝/נָבָ֗ל1×
- הַ/נְּבָלוֹת֙1×
- הַ/נְּבָלִ֖ים1×
Key Verses
-
Psalms 14:1
For the Chief Musician. By David. The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt. They have done abominable deeds. There is no one who does good.
This verse defines the core attitude of the fool as a heart-level denial of God's existence, which leads to corrupt actions.
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Deuteronomy 32:6
Is this the way you repay Yahweh, foolish and unwise people? Isn’t he your father who has bought you? He has made you and established you.
Moses uses this term to challenge Israel’s ingratitude, contrasting their foolish response with God’s role as their faithful Father.
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Proverbs 17:21
He who becomes the father of a fool grieves. The father of a fool has no joy.
This proverb highlights the relational cost of folly, showing how it brings grief and sorrow to those who love the foolish person.
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Job 2:10
But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. What? Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?” In all this Job didn’t sin with his lips.
Job rebukes his wife’s despair by comparing her words to those of a fool, emphasizing that true faith accepts both good and evil from God.