Proverbs 18:2

American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

A fool hath no delight in understanding, But only that his heart may reveal itself.

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

לֹֽא־יַחְפֹּ֣ץ כְּ֭סִיל בִּתְבוּנָ֑ה כִּ֝֗י אִֽם־בְּהִתְגַּלּ֥וֹת לִבּֽוֹ׃

Transliteration

Not yaḥpōṣ kəsîl in-təḇûnāh but if in-hiṯgallôṯ libbô

Grammar Details

• *yaḥpōṣ*: verb, qal imperfect, 3rd masculine singular - delights/desires/takes pleasure
• *kəsîl*: noun, masculine singular - fool/stupid person
• *təḇûnāh*: noun, feminine singular - understanding/insight/intelligence
• *hiṯgallôṯ*: verb, hithpael infinitive construct - revealing/exposing/displaying
• *libbô*: noun, masculine singular with 3rd masculine singular suffix - his heart/mind

Word Meanings

• *kəsîl*: fool/stupid person/dullard
• *təḇûnāh*: understanding/insight/discernment/intelligence
• *hiṯgallôṯ*: revealing/exposing/displaying/parading
• *libbô*: his heart/mind/inner self/thoughts

Referenced Verses

• Prov 12:23 : 23 A prudent man concealeth knowledge; But the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.
• Prov 13:16 : 16 Every prudent man worketh with knowledge; But a fool flaunteth [his] folly.
• Prov 17:16 : 16 Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, Seeing he hath no understanding?
• Num 24:15-16 : 15 And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor saith, And the man whose eye was closed saith; 16 He saith, who heareth the words of God, And knoweth the knowledge of the Most High, Who seeth the vision of the Almighty, Falling down, and having his eyes open:
• Ps 1:1-2 : 1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the wicked, Nor standeth in the way of sinners, Nor sitteth in the seat of scoffers: 2 But his delight is in the law of Jehovah; And on his law doth he meditate day and night.
• Prov 1:7 : 7 The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of knowledge; [But] the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.
• 2 Pet 2:15-19 : 15 forsaking the right way, they went astray, having followed the way of Balaam the [son] of Beor, who loved the hire of wrong-doing; 16 but he was rebuked for his own transgression: a dumb ass spake with man's voice and stayed the madness of the prophet. 17 These are springs without water, and mists driven by a storm; for whom the blackness of darkness hath been reserved. 18 For, uttering great swelling [words] of vanity, they entice in the lusts of the flesh, by lasciviousness, those who are just escaping from them that live in error; 19 promising them liberty, while they themselves are bondservants of corruption; for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he also brought into bondage.
• Eccl 10:3 : 3 Yea also, when the fool walketh by the way, his understanding faileth him, and he saith to every one [that] he is a fool.
• Matt 8:34 : 34 And behold, all the city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought [him] that he would depart from their borders.
• 1 Cor 8:1 : 1 Now concerning things sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but love edifieth.
• 1 Cor 14:12 : 12 So also ye, since ye are zealous of spiritual [gifts], seek that ye may abound unto the edifying of the church.
• Phil 1:15 : 15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:
• Prov 1:22 : 22 How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? And scoffers delight them in scoffing, And fools hate knowledge?