Fool
נָבָל (Nabal)
A fool — one who is morally senseless and lives as though God does not exist.
The Hebrew word nabal describes a fool who is morally senseless — not lacking intelligence but living in willful disregard of God and His ways.
"The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good." — Psalm 14:1 (KJV)
Key Verses
Psalm 14:1
“The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.”Read in context
Proverbs 17:21
“He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.”Read in context
Psalm 74:22
“Arise, O God, plead thine own cause: remember how the foolish man reproacheth thee daily.”Read in context
Strong's Concordance
Strong's H5036 — Fool (נָבָל (Nabal))
Browse the full lexicon entry and every KJV verse where נָבָל (Nabal) appears.
Open Strong's H5036The Biblical Fool
In Hebrew wisdom literature, nabal does not mean someone lacking intelligence. It describes moral foolishness — a person who lives as though God does not exist or does not matter. The fool's problem is not intellectual but spiritual: a willful rejection of divine wisdom and moral order. This is why the Psalmist says 'The fool has said in his heart, There is no God.'
Nabal in Narrative
The name Nabal appears as a character in 1 Samuel 25 — a wealthy but churlish man whose foolish arrogance nearly brought destruction on his household. His wife Abigail described him saying, 'as his name is, so is he; Nabal is his name, and folly is with him.' His story illustrates the self-destructive nature of moral foolishness.
Wisdom vs. Folly
Proverbs contrasts the wise person and the fool throughout its pages. The wise person fears the Lord and heeds instruction; the fool despises wisdom and discipline. This contrast reveals that true intelligence begins with reverence for God — 'The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction' (Proverbs 1:7).
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'fool' mean in the Bible?
The biblical fool (nabal) is not someone lacking intelligence but someone who lives in moral senselessness, rejecting God's wisdom and acting as though God does not exist or matter.
Who was Nabal in the Bible?
Nabal was a wealthy, foolish man in 1 Samuel 25 who insulted David and nearly caused his household's destruction. His wife Abigail intervened with wisdom, and Nabal later died when God struck him.
Which Bible verse uses the word "Fool"?
Psalm 14:1 — "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good" (KJV). It also appears in Proverbs 17:21, Psalm 74:22.
Why does the Hebrew word behind "Fool" matter?
In Hebrew wisdom literature, nabal does not mean someone lacking intelligence. English uses one word, "Fool", where the Hebrew נָבָל (Nabal) carries the fuller sense: a fool — one who is morally senseless and lives as though god does not exist.
Related Words
Related Reading
Continue your study with related content from across our library:
Fool (נָבָל (Nabal))
A fool — one who is morally senseless and lives as though God does not exist.
Strong's H5036 — Fool
נָבָל (Nabal) • A fool — one who is morally senseless and lives as though God does not exist.
Biblical Meaning of a Tree in a Dream (KJV)
The righteous life, generations, or judgment on fruitlessness.
Biblical Meaning of Blood in a Dream (KJV)
Life, atonement, and covenant with God.
Prophet (נָבִיא (Navi) / προφήτης (Prophētēs))
One who speaks God's message; a mouthpiece of the divine
Strong's G32 — Angel
ἄγγελος (angelos) • A messenger — a heavenly being sent by God to deliver His word and carry out His will.
Where to go next
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