The Downward Spiral of the Fool
1
1. Naïve—translated “simple one” in the ESV; Hebrew term is peti, (pronounced PE-ti)
related to the Hebrew verb that means “to open”; thus, an open-headed or empty-headed
person; naïve, gullible, inexperienced; 14 times in Proverbs (1:4, 22, 32; 7:7; 8:5; 9:4, 6,
16; 14:15, 18; 19:25; 21:11; 22:3; 27:12); related term “simplicity, being simple” occurs
once (1:22).
2. Fool1—translated “fool” in the ESV; Hebrew term is kesil, (pronounced ke-SEAL),
referring to a person who consistently makes poor choices due to a stubborn refusal to
take advice from the wise; most common term for a fool in Proverbs, occurring 49 times
(1:22, 32; 3:35; 8:5; 10:1, 18, 23; 12:23; 13:16, 19, 20; 14:7, 8, 16, 24, 33; 15:2, 7, 14,
20; 17:10, 12, 16, 21, 24, 25; 18:2, 6, 7; 19:1, 10, 13, 29; 21:20; 23:9; 26:1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,
8, 9, 10, 11, 12; 28:26; 29:11, 20); related term “folly, foolishness” occurs once, as the
personification “Dame Folly” (9:13).
3. Fool2—translated “fool” in the ESV; Hebrew term is evil, (pronounced ay-VEAL)
meaning “thick” or “dense,” referring to a person who is “thick-headed,” stubborn to the
point of autonomous independence, who decides what is right in his own eyes, whose
1
Diagram taken from John A. Kitchen, Proverbs (Scotland: Christian Focus, 2006), pg. 733.
heart is hardened; occurs 18 times in Proverbs (1:7; 10:8, 10, 14, 21; 11:29; 12:15, 16;
14:3, 9; 15:5; 16:22; 17:28; 20:3; 24:7; 27:3, 22; 29:9); related term “folly, foolishness”
occurs 23 times (5:23; 12:23; 13:16; 14:1, 8, 17, 18, 24 [2x], 29; 15:2, 14, 21; 16:22;
17:12; 18:13; 19:3; 22:15; 24:9; 26:4, 5, 11; 27:22).
4. Nabal—translated “fool” in the ESV; Hebrew term is nabal, (pronounced na-BAL), the
completely godless fool who cannot appreciate truth or wisdom in any way and refuses to
listen to wisdom at all, fully closed off to God; occurs 3 times in Proverbs (17:7, 21;
30:22); related term “to act foolish” occurs once (30:32).
5. Scoffer—translated “scoffer” in the ESV; Hebrew term is lets, (pronounced layts),
referring to a person who aggressively opposes wisdom, truth and righteousness with
mockery and persecution as a confirmed and hardened rebel; occurs 14 times in Proverbs
(1:22; 3:34; 9:7, 8; 13:1; 14:6; 15:12; 19:25, 29; 20:1; 21:11, 24; 22:10; 24:9); related
term “to scoff, mock” occurs 4 times (3:34; 9:12; 14:9; 19:28); related term “scoffing”
occurs twice (1:22; 29:8).
Key quotes:
“If wisdom is a diamond set forth in multifaceted splendor, folly is a descending staircase,
leading to ever deeper levels of grim futility, frustration, and finality (Prov. 5:5). No one left to
himself ever arrives at wisdom. We begin our journey in foolishness and folly (Prov. 22:15).
Apart from the loving discipline and guidance of wise parents and counselors, we are caught
helplessly in the downward vortex of our own sinful nature.”2
“The fool’s fundamental problem is that he stands alone. He needs no other resources and
recognizes no other authority. His failure began where wisdom’s ascent launched—the fear of
the Lord (Prov. 1:7; 9:10). The rock that becomes the foundation of a life of wisdom for some is
the stumbling stone over which many others trip. He has chosen to live in God’s world without
God.”3
“Having chosen to go his own way and depend upon his own resources, the fool sets in motion a
process that must end in disaster. What looks like the autonomy of selfhood moves downward
from plain simpleness (peti) to foolishness and folly (kesil). From here, the fool, left to himself,
falls even deeper into more serious foolishness (evil), and from there he descends to an even
denser state of folly (nabal). The vortex’s power eventually pulls the foolish down to the level of
what the Proverbs call a scoffer (lets).”4
2
Kitchen, Proverbs, pg. 731.
Ibid.
4
Ibid.
3
Profile of the “Scoffer”

covet/delight in their scoffing (1:22)

Yahweh scoffs at them (3:34a)

opposite of humble (3:34)

attempting to correct him/her brings his/her abuse/hatred (9:7-8)

does not listen to rebuke (13:1)

seeks wisdom in vain (14:6)

does not like to be reproved (15:12a)

will not seek the help or reproof of wise people (15:12b)

striking/punishing him/her is instructive for simple people, (probably showing the simple
how they should be treated if they become a scoffer) (19:25a; 21:11a)

deserve condemnation (19:29a)

wine is metaphorically a scoffer because of what it causes in the person who drinks too
much of it (20:1a)

defined as “the arrogant, haughty man who acts with arrogant pride” (21:24)

source of strife, quarreling, and abuse (22:10)

an abomination to mankind (24:9b)
Key quote:
“The scoffer is no longer a simpleton who curiously investigates folly here and there, but is one
who has become confirmed in his reviling of all authority (Prov. 21:24; 22:10; 29:8). The sad
verdict awaiting the scoffer is that the God toward whom he has scoffed will, in the end, return
the favor (Prov. 3:34).”5
5
Kitchen, Proverbs, pg. 733.