Proverbs 18:2

King James Version with Strong's Numbers

A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover 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 dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly.
• Prov 17:16 : 16 Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?
• Num 24:15-16 : 15 And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said: 16 He hath said, which heard the words of God, and knew the knowledge of the most High, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open:
• Ps 1:1-2 : 1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
• Prov 1:7 : 7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
• 2 Pet 2:15-19 : 15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; 16 But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet. 17 These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. 18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. 19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.
• Eccl 10:3 : 3 Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his wisdom faileth him, and he saith to every one that he is a fool.
• Matt 8:34 : 34 And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts.
• 1 Cor 8:1 : 1 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
• 1 Cor 14:12 : 12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to 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 the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?