Read Proverbs 13 here (text coming …) or at Bible Gateway.
The Hebrew paragraph:
10:1b-19:9 {p} …
Proverbs 13:1-25 Chiastic Structure
Hebrew has five different words to describe the foolish person, from the most innocent progressing to the most depraved. We saw that the most innocent is the simpleton, followed by the proud fool, next in the progression of foolishness. If a proud fool has not turned from his foolishness, he then descends to folly as this chapter describes, becoming a complacent fool.
Every prudent man acts with forethought, but a fool lays open his folly. Pro 13:16
A desire accomplished is sweet to the soul, but it is an abomination to fools to depart from evil. Pro 13:19
He who walks with wise men shall be wise, but the companion of fools shall be suffer evil. Pro 13:20
The Hebrew is from Strong’s H3688 כסל kacal, a primitive verb meaning, “to be fleshy, fat, or inert.” The ancient pictographs are kaph + sin + lamed.
kaph כ, ך = open palm, thus bend, open, allow, tame
sin ס = thorn, thus grab, hate, protect
lamed ל = shepherd’s staff, thus teach, yoke, to, bind
The parable being told by the Hebrew Root Word is of covering (kaph) which protects (sin) the staff (lamed), or male reproductive organ; i.e. loins, according to the Ancient Hebrew Lexicon, thus, fleshly, fat, or inert, as when the flesh covers a man’s loins. The idea of complacency comes from the loins acting as the seat or root of confidence; first, as deriving self-worth and self-aggrandizement from the flesh, and second, as a metaphor for fleshly or worldly strength. The over-confidence thus generated leads to complacency, laziness, or inertness.
For the turning away of the simple will slay them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them. Pro 1:32
A wise man fears and departs from evil, but a fool rages and is self-confident. Pro 14:16
Complacent fools are so sure of their strength in their endeavors, that they become lazy in their over-confidence. As a result of this over-confidence and an inassailable belief in his superiority, he can’t bear to keep his opinions to himself.
A fool has no delight in understanding, but in expressing his own heart. Pro 18:2
A fool utters all his mind: but a wise man keeps it in till afterwards. Pro 29:11
He is deceived, but is certain he is right, and is quick to enter into arguments.
The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way, but the folly of fools is deceit. Pro 14:8
A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calls for blows. Pro 18:6
But like the proud fool, he hates to be corrected or shown to be mistaken, and lashes out at those who dare to do so.
Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words. Pro 23:9
Be not hasty in your spirit to be angry: for anger rests in the heart of fools. Ecc 7:9
He believes he is above moral absolutes, spreads slander, and squanders wealth.
A desire accomplished is sweet to the soul, but it is an abomination to fools to depart from evil. Pro 13:19
Whoever hides hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool. Pro 10:18
There is desirable treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man squanders it. Pro 21:20
More than any other fool, Proverbs is full of sayings about the complacent fool’s parents.
A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is the grief of his mother. Pro 10:1
A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her who bore him. Pro 17:25
So how is this fool turned from his foolishness, so that he may live?
Rebuke is more effective for a wise man than a hundred blows on a fool. Pro 17:10
Judgments are prepared for scoffers, and beatings for the backs of fools. Pro 19:29
A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey, and a rod for the fool’s back. Pro 26:3
Blows on the back were a common form of court-ordered punishment in the ancient world. It would be the equivalent of a jail sentence in our modern society. But truth be told, the rate of recidivism can be high.
As a dog returns to his own vomit, so a fool repeats his folly. Pro 26:11
If he does not turn, he is in danger of progressing to the next, worsening level of foolishness.
If there are questions, these are good resources:
Proverbs 8, The Simple Fool – Christine Miller
Proverbs 10, The Proud Fool – Christine Miller
How to Identify Five Types of Fools – Institute in Basic Life Principles
Leave a Reply