שִׂכְלוּת (sikh.lut)

The Hebrew noun siklut denotes folly or foolishness, appearing in seven verses with a strong concentration in Ecclesiastes. It describes a state of moral and practical failure rather than simple lack of intelligence. The text uses it to characterize actions that ignore divine order or wise counsel, leading to destructive outcomes.

A notable feature is the spelling variation between שִׂכְלוּת and סִכְלוּת. Lexical sources treat these as alternative forms of the same word, reflecting common orthographic flexibility in biblical Hebrew rather than a difference in meaning. This consistency allows readers to recognize the concept regardless of the specific consonantal pattern used.

In Ecclesiastes, siklut carries significant theological weight. It is often paired with wisdom (chokmah) to highlight the vast gap between living according to God’s design and living in self-destructive rebellion. The Preacher uses it to describe the vanity of life under the sun when one rejects the fear of the Lord, framing folly as a fundamental misalignment with reality.