WHAT, EXACTLY, IS A FOOL?

Jason’s mission in life seemed simple: make his mother miserable. After his parents divorced when he was nine, he pinned all his pain and confusion on her—and he wanted her to feel it. But his bitterness didn’t stop with his mom. As Jason moved through school, he left behind a trail of wounded people: classmates, teachers, anyone who crossed his path.

He hurled verbal grenades at his teachers, spent more time in detention than on the playground, and treated every authority figure with contempt. Jason was aggressive, angry, and downright exhausting to be around. It was as if he had a black belt in verbal combat. By the time he was twelve, a neighborhood friend introduced him to pornography, and it quickly consumed him. Lust, violence, and rage filled his heart. Jason had no desire for correction, wisdom, or peace.

Jason was a fool.

Now imagine meeting Jason in his thirties. He’s still on the same path—only now he’s dragging a family behind him. He’s married with children, but nothing in his heart has changed. How would you help him? What would you say?

Before we can counsel or walk alongside someone like Jason, we need to understand what Scripture means when it uses the word fool. Because not all fools are the same—and not all can be reached in the same way.

A GALLERY OF FOOLS

The book of Proverbs doesn’t use “fool” as a throwaway insult. It uses it intentionally and specifically. In fact, there are five different Hebrew words that paint a full (and often sobering) picture of what it means to be a fool. Let’s take a look:

1. Petayim – The Gullible Fool

This word refers to the simple or naive. The petayim is open-minded in all the wrong ways, lacking discernment and easily led astray. They believe whatever they hear—and follow whoever seems loudest.The Petayim is the GULLIBLE FOOL.

2. Kesil – The Stubborn Fool

Kesil describes someone thick-headed and hard-hearted. This is the person who enjoys mischief and pushes back against wisdom at every turn. They’re not clueless—they’re defiant.The Kesil is the BLOCKHEAD.

3. Ewil – The Morally Corrupt Fool

This fool isn’t just annoying—he’s dangerous. Ewil refers to someone who’s morally twisted. Proverbs 1:7 hints that an ewil doesn’t just ignore wisdom, they despise it.The Ewil is the AIRHEAD—hollow, yet harmful.

4. Nabal – The Godless Fool

This is the fool who says in his heart, “There is no God” (Psalm 14:1). Nabal is senseless, spiritually blind, and pridefully self-sufficient.The Nabal is the DEADHEAD.

5. Lis – The Mocking Fool

Finally, we meet the lis—the scoffer, the cynic. This is the most dangerous kind of fool. Not only does the lis reject wisdom, they mock it. They’re smug, arrogant, and contagious in their foolishness.The Lis is the SNARK.

From Gullible to Snark: The Descent of a Fool

These five types of fools aren’t random—they often represent a progression. What starts as gullibility can become stubbornness, then moral corruption, then outright godlessness, and finally open mockery of truth.

That’s why understanding the type of fool we’re dealing with is essential—whether it’s someone we’re parenting, pastoring, or praying for.

Fools can change—but not all want to.Proverbs offers us hope and warning. Some fools can be taught, but others must face the consequences of their folly before they’ll ever listen (if they ever do). Wisdom calls out to all, but not everyone responds.

So back to Jason. The question isn’t just how you’d help him. The real question is:What kind of fool is he?

Reflect & Respond

Which type of fool do you most often encounter—or struggle with yourself? Take a moment to ask God for wisdom in how to respond with grace and truth.

Question for You:Is there someone in your life who fits one of these descriptions? How can you pray for or wisely approach them this week?

Next Step

Want to go deeper? Read one chapter of Proverbs each day this week. Highlight every time the word “fool” appears. Ask:

• What kind of fool is this?

• How should I respond?