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אֱוִיל

𐤀𐤅𐤉𐤋

ʼĕvîyl

H191 adjective

SILEX Entry

Root אול to be foolish, to lack sense, to act ignorantly (root meaning uncertain; these reflect the word's developed semantic field)

Definition

A person who is senseless, lacking understanding or discernment; one who acts without wisdom or rejects moral and practical guidance. The word primarily denotes someone whose actions and attitudes are marked by folly, ignorance, or stubbornness, often with a nuance of moral deficiency rather than intellectual incapacity. In various contexts, it can refer to an individual who is obstinately opposed to wisdom, ethical norms, or proper conduct.

Semantic Range

fool, senseless person, one who is morally obtuse, one lacking judgment, person who rejects wisdom or counsel, stubborn or obstinate person, scorner (contextually); at times used for a morally deficient enemy

Root / Etymology

Root/Etymology: Root אול (ʾ-w-l), with root meaning uncertain and rarely attested; the prevalent ancient usage and related terms suggest an association with being foolish or senseless, but no clear verbal root meaning is established. The form אֱוִיל appears independent, serving as a noun describing a characteristic or type of person rather than being a clear participial form from a verbal root.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In biblical literature, אֱוִיל designates a person (frequently an adult male, but not limited by gender) who rejects counsel and wisdom, contrasts with the חָכָם (wise person) and נָבָל (scoundrel, morally senseless). The אֱוִיל is often portrayed as stubborn, dismissive of correction, complacent in wrongdoing, or destructive due to ignorance. While English 'fool' captures much of the sense, the Hebrew term encompasses broader moral and behavioral dimensions. In wisdom literature (especially Proverbs), it describes a habitual condition rather than an isolated act, including irresponsibility, arrogance, and aversion to discipline. The term is less frequent in Torah and historical books, more prominent in poetic and sapiential contexts. In later Hebrew, usage persists with similar connotations, especially in rabbinic literature. Caution: The English term 'fool' can sometimes have a broader or more trivial sense than the Hebrew, which indicates not merely a lack of intelligence but a willful disregard of wisdom and righteousness.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from an unused root (meaning to be perverse); (figuratively) silly; fool(-ish) (man).

Bantu Hebrew

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.

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Root Family

אול (ʾ-w-l) — to be foolish, to lack sense, to act ignorantly

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H177 אוּאֵל and Will-of-God
H193 אוּל robust-bodied ones of
H196 אֱוִלִי foolish one
H197 אוּלָם yet indeed
H199 אוּלָם and indeed

Word Forms

6 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H191-01 אֱוִ֣יל evil HAamsa fool senseless man 14
H191-02 אֱוִלִים֙ evilim HAampa fools senseless ones 5
H191-04 לֶֽ/אֱוִ֣יל leevil HR/Aamsa the fool to a senseless man 2
H191-05 וֶ/אֱוִ֥יל veevil HC/Aamsa and a fool and a senseless one 2
H191-06 וֶ/אֱוִילִ֖ים veevilim HC/Aampa but fools senseless ones 2
H191-03 הָ/אֱוִ֨יל haevil HTd/Aamsa the fool the senseless man 1

Occurrences in Scripture

26 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H191-02 Isaiah 19:11 אֱוִלִים֙ evilim HAampa fools senseless ones
H191-06 Isaiah 35:8 וֶ/אֱוִילִ֖ים veevilim HC/Aampa even fools senseless ones
H191-01 Jeremiah 4:22 אֱוִ֣יל evil HAamsa foolish senseless man
H191-01 Hosea 9:7 אֱוִ֣יל evil HAamsa a fool senseless man
H191-02 Psalms 107:17 אֱ֭וִלִים evilim HAampa Fools senseless ones
H191-02 Proverbs 1:7 אֱוִילִ֥ים evilim HAampa fools senseless ones
H191-01 Proverbs 7:22 אֱוִֽיל evil HAamsa of a fool senseless man
H191-05 Proverbs 10:8 וֶ/אֱוִ֥יל veevil HC/Aamsa but a fool and a senseless one
H191-05 Proverbs 10:10 וֶ/אֱוִ֥יל veevil HC/Aamsa and a fool and a senseless one
H191-01 Proverbs 10:14 אֱ֝וִיל evil HAamsa of the fool senseless man
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