This noun denotes a fool or foolish person, appearing in Ecclesiastes' ironic observation about the topsy-turvy nature of life under the sun. Qoheleth notes that 'the fool is set in high places'—a reversal of the proper order where wisdom should be honored and folly rejected. The term shares roots with words for folly and lack of understanding, emphasizing moral and intellectual deficiency. In wisdom literature, the fool isn't merely ignorant but obstinate, rejecting instruction and pursuing self-destructive paths. The Preacher's complaint reflects disappointment with a world where merit and position don't align.