Proverbs: Day 14

Proverbs 14

Within Proverbs, there are three different hebrew words used to describe the fool. They are translated as;

- the simple
- the fool
- the scoffer

All three are used in chapter 14. In his commentary on Proverbs, Derek Kidner describes these three terms. Here is a breakdown of his insight, which I found very helpful;

The "simple" is not as much hardened in heart to the pursuit of wisdom as much as he is naive'. Through rejection of wisdom though, the "simple" graduates to the "fool."

The "fool" does not refer as much to "mental capacity" as much as it does to "a man's chosen outlook" on life. "The fool, by whatever name he goes, is by definition one whose mind is closed, for the present at least, to God."

The scoffer has his Ph.D in folly. Unlike the naive' "simple" man, the scoffer is intentional in his rejection of wisdom and rejection of God. He is a "deliberate troublemaker."

Look for these distinctions as you continue to read through this book of wisdom.