Search / H0196
† אֱוִלִי adj. id. Zc 11:15. H0196
Adj-ms  |  1× in 1 sense
foolish, senseless — lacking wisdom or moral discernment
In Zechariah 11:15, God commands the prophet to take up 'the equipment of a foolish shepherd,' symbolizing coming judgment through incompetent leadership. The adjective denotes moral and intellectual foolishness — a shepherd who neglects, exploits, and destroys the flock rather than protecting it. This acted prophecy warns of leaders who abandon their pastoral responsibility, resulting in the sheep's ruin. It's a sobering image of judgment mediated through failed stewardship.

Senses
1. sense 1 Adjective meaning 'foolish, senseless, lacking understanding' in a moral and practical sense. Zechariah 11:15 uses it to characterize a shepherd (leader) who fails his duty, symbolizing corrupt or incompetent rulers. Spanish 'insensato' (foolish, senseless) and French 'insensé' capture the moral deficiency. The context emphasizes willful neglect and exploitation, not mere incompetence — a shepherd who actively harms rather than protects the flock.
MENTAL_LIFE Understand Foolishness and Folly
AR["أَحْمَقَ"]·ben["মূর্খ"]·DE["[אולי]"]·EN["foolish"]·FR["insensé"]·heb["אוילי"]·HI["मूर्ख-के"]·ID["yang-bodoh"]·IT["forse"]·jav["bodho"]·KO["어리석은"]·PT["tolo"]·RU["глупого"]·ES["insensato"]·SW["mpumbavu"]·TR["akılsız"]·urd["احمق"]

Related Senses
H3045 1. Qal: to know, perceive, understand (829×)H5315 1. soul, inner being (647×)H3820a 1. heart, inner self (mind/will/emotion) (572×)H4672 1. Qal: find, discover (289×)G1492 1. know facts or truths (285×)H3824 1. heart, inner self (mind/will/emotion) (250×)H1245 1. seek, search for (200×)G1097 1. know, be acquainted with (196×)H2142 1. Qal: remember, recall (173×)G2588 1. heart (inner self, mind, will) (158×)H0977 1. choose, select (Qal active) (145×)G2147 1. find, discover (144×)G5590 1. soul, inner self (100×)H4672 2. Niphal: be found, be discovered (99×)H1875 1. seek, search for (96×)H5315 2. life, vitality (94×)H1847 1. knowledge, discernment (90×)H2450 1. wise, prudent (84×)H7911 1. Qal: to forget (83×)H3684 1. fool, dullard (70×)

BDB / Lexicon Reference
אֱוִלִי adj. id. Zc 11:15.