5 TYPES OF FOOLS Part 2: The Degrees of Folly and the Heart Behind It

In this post, we’ll explore five biblical types of fools and trace the downward spiral of foolishness. Understanding these categories can help us counsel others wisely—and examine our own hearts with greater clarity.

1. The Gullible Fool (Petayim)

The gullible fool is naïve and easily led. Proverbs 14:15 says, “The simple believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps.” They lack discernment, follow the wrong crowd, and often walk into painful consequences blindly (Prov. 1:32; 7:7).

They’re not rebellious—they’re just undiscerning. But unless corrected, their simplicity can lead to destruction.

🔹 Key trait: Easily deceived

🔹 Spiritual need: Guidance and discernment

2. The Blockheaded Fool (Kesil)

The blockheaded fool spreads foolishness like wildfire. They speak without thinking, share secrets recklessly (Prov. 12:23), and never seem to learn from past mistakes (Prov. 26:11).

Driven by emotion, especially anger (Prov. 29:11), they repeatedly sow and reap foolishness. Galatians 6:7 reminds us: “You reap what you sow.”

🔹 Key trait: Emotionally reactive and unteachable

🔹 Spiritual need: Correction and self-control

3. The Airheaded Fool (Ewil)

This is the morally and spiritually deficient fool. The airheaded fool thinks they’ve got it all figured out. “The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice” (Prov. 12:15).

They reject instruction and authority (Prov. 15:5) and show contempt for wisdom, particularly from parents, mentors, or leaders. They don’t just make mistakes—they refuse to be corrected.

🔹 Key trait: Proud and resistant to authority

🔹 Spiritual need: Humility and repentance

4. The Deadheaded Fool (Nabal)

This is the fool who denies God. Psalm 14:1 declares, “The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’” The deadheaded fool is spiritually blind, hardened, and hostile to the things of God.

Job refers to his wife as a “foolish woman” (nabal) when she tells him to curse God. And in 1 Samuel 25, we meet Nabal himself—cruel, arrogant, and utterly godless.

🔹 Key trait: Rejects God altogether

🔹 Spiritual need: A heart awakening by the Spirit

5. The Snark (Lis) – The Mocker

This is the most dangerous type of fool—the snark, or mocker. They don’t just ignore wisdom; they ridicule it. They are proud, cynical, and contagious in their arrogance.

Bruce Waltke notes, “The most hardened apostates are the mockers.” They’ve gone beyond foolishness into full-blown rebellion.

🔹 Key trait: Openly mocks truth and righteousness

🔹 Spiritual need: Strong boundaries and divine intervention

A Downward Spiral of Foolishness

These five types of fools represent a progression:

1. Gullible – Naïve but reachable

2. Blockheaded – Emotionally reactive and stuck

3. Airheaded – Proud and resistant

4. Deadheaded – Spiritually blind and godless

5. Snark – Mocking, hardened, and hostile

As foolishness deepens, the heart grows colder, and correction becomes harder to receive. That’s why Proverbs pleads with us to seek wisdom early—and warns us of what happens when we don’t.

Reflect & Respond

• Which type of fool do you see most often in your own life or relationships?

• Have you been responding with wisdom—or frustration?

• Ask God to give you discernment, patience, and the right next step for reaching them—or guarding your heart from becoming them.

Next Step: Identify and Engage with Wisdom

• Read Proverbs 9 and reflect on the contrast between wisdom and foolishness.

• Choose one relationship where you’ve seen foolish behavior. Based on what you’ve learned, prayerfully determine:

  • What kind of fool are you dealing with?

  • Are they reachable—or resistant?

  • How might you offer wisdom, correction, or prayer?

Remember: Wisdom isn’t just knowing what to say—it’s knowing when and how to say it.

[1] Smith, James E. 1 & 2 Samuel. Joplin, MO: College Press Pub. Co., 2000. 294 n. 2 notes: “Other passages present the nabal as an embarrassment to his father (Prov. 17:21), a glutton (Prov. 30:22), a hoarder (Jer. 17:11), and even a practical atheist (Ps. 14:1). Most significantly, a nabal was one who refused to feed the hungry and give drink to the thirsty (Isa. 32:6).”

[2] “Scoffers, Scorners, and Snark.” Timothy Keller. Accessed November 14, 2018. http://www.timothykeller.com/blog/2009/5/1/scoffers-scorners-and-snark.

[3] Waltke, Bruce K. The Book of Proverbs: Chapters 1-15. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. (Eerdmans Pub., 2005). 114.