H3684 H3684
kesil -- a fool, dullard; one who is morally obtuse and stubbornly rejects wisdom
The noun kesil is the wisdom literature's most characteristic term for a fool -- not merely an ignoramus but someone who is morally and intellectually thick, willfully resistant to instruction. Appearing 70 times, it is concentrated overwhelmingly in Proverbs (49 occurrences) with additional uses in Psalms and Ecclesiastes. The kesil hates knowledge (Prov 1:22), takes no delight in understanding (18:2), treats wrongdoing as sport (10:23), and returns to folly as a dog returns to its vomit (26:11). Distinguished from the naval (H5036, contemptuous fool) and the ewil (H0191, rash simpleton), the kesil occupies the middle ground of stubborn dullness. Spanish necio, French insense, and German Tor each capture the blend of moral obduracy and intellectual sluggishness.
Senses
1. fool, dullard — A morally obtuse fool who deliberately shuns wisdom and embraces folly, the primary term of opprobrium in Proverbs' pedagogical framework. Distinguished from evil ('simpleton,' H0191) and naval ('contemptible fool,' H5036), the kesil is characterized by willful stupidity rather than mere ignorance: he hates knowledge (Prov 1:22), pours forth folly (Prov 15:2), and despises his mother (Prov 15:20). Spanish necio, French insense, and German Tor converge on the same blend of moral and intellectual failing across all 70 occurrences. 70×
AR["الْجاهِلَ", "الْجاهِلُ", "الْجاهِلِ", "جاهِلًا", "جاهِلٌ", "جاهِلٍ", "جَاهِلٌ"]·ben["মূর্খ", "মূর্খকে", "মূর্খের"]·DE["Tor"]·EN["a-fool", "fool", "foolish", "is-a-fool"]·FR["insensé"]·heb["כסיל"]·HI["मूर्ख", "मूर्ख-का", "मूर्ख-की", "मूर्ख-के", "मूर्ख-के।", "मूर्ख-को", "मूर्ख-है"]·ID["bebal", "bodoh", "orang-bebal", "orang-bodoh", "yang-bebal"]·IT["stolto"]·jav["bodho", "kang-bodho", "tiyang-bodho"]·KO["미련한", "미련한-자-이다", "어리석은", "어리석은-자", "어리석은-자-에게", "어리석은-자-의", "어리석은-자는", "어리석은-자를", "어리석은-자이니라"]·PT["insensato", "tolo"]·RU["глупец", "глупого", "глупца", "глупцу", "глупый"]·ES["al-necio", "necio", "un-necio"]·SW["mpumbavu", "ni-mpumbavu"]·TR["akılsız", "akılsıza", "akılsızdır", "akılsızı", "akılsızın"]·urd["احمق", "احمق-", "احمق-کا", "احمق-کو", "احمق-کی", "احمق-کے", "احمق-ہے"]
Ps 92:6, Prov 1:32, Prov 10:1, Prov 10:18, Prov 12:23, Prov 13:16, Prov 13:19, Prov 13:20, Prov 14:7, Prov 14:8, Prov 14:16, Prov 14:24 (+38 more)
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×)G2212 1. seek, search for, look for (64×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
I. כְּסִיל70 n.m. stupid fellow, dullard, fool;—כ׳ ψ 49:11 + 44 times; pl. כְּסִילִים ψ 94:8 + 25 times;—‖ בער ψ 49:11; 92:7; 94:8, elsewhere only in WisdLt; he hates knowledge Pr 1:22; delights not in understanding 18:2; it is his sport to do mischief 10:23; his heart proclaimeth אִוֶּלֶת 12:23; his mouth poureth it forth 15:2, and feedeth on it 15:14.