or שִׂכְלוּת; (Ecclesiastes 1:17), from סָכַל; silliness; folly, foolishness.
Transliteration:çiklûwth
Pronunciation:sik-looth'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun H5531 סִכְלוּת (çiklûwth) denotes "folly," "foolishness," or "silliness." It is derived from the verbal root סָכַל `{{H5528}}`, meaning "to be foolish," "to act foolishly," or "to make foolish." This word describes a state or quality of mind that lacks sound judgment, discretion, and wisdom. It implies more than mere ignorance; rather, it often suggests a perversion of understanding, an embrace of unsound reasoning, or a deliberate disregard for what is wise and true. Its semantic range encompasses intellectual and moral deficiency, leading to actions that are senseless, absurd, or even destructive.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term סִכְלוּת (çiklûwth) appears exclusively in the book of Ecclesiastes, where it is a central concept in the Preacher's exploration of life "under the sun." Its occurrences consistently place it in antithesis to wisdom (חָכְמָה `{{H2451}}`) and often in conjunction with "madness" (הוֹלֵלוּת `{{H1947}}`).
* In [[Ecclesiastes 1:17]], the Preacher states, "I set my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also was a chasing after wind." Here, סִכְלוּת is presented as an object of intense intellectual investigation, yet ultimately found to be futile.
* [[Ecclesiastes 2:3]] describes the Preacher's experimental embrace of folly: "I searched in my heart how to gratify my body with wine, yet guiding my heart with wisdom, and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was good for the sons of men to do under heaven all the days of their lives." This is not an endorsement, but a calculated exploration to understand its nature and limits.
* The stark contrast between wisdom and folly is most explicit in [[Ecclesiastes 2:13]]: "Then I saw that wisdom excels folly as light excels darkness." This verse unequivocally establishes the superiority of wisdom over סִכְלוּת.
* In [[Ecclesiastes 7:25]], the Preacher seeks "to know the wickedness of folly and the foolishness of madness." The phrase "wickedness of folly" (רֶשַׁע הַסִּכְלוּת) powerfully links סִכְלוּת to moral depravity, indicating that it is not merely an intellectual error but can lead to morally corrupt behavior.
* [[Ecclesiastes 10:13]] describes the speech of a fool: "The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness, and the end of his talk is mischievous madness." Here, סִכְלוּת characterizes the very nature of foolish discourse.
Across these contexts, סִכְלוּת represents a path that, while tempting or seemingly liberating, ultimately leads to emptiness, confusion, and often negative consequences, contrasting sharply with the life-giving nature of wisdom.
### Related Words & Concepts
סִכְלוּת (çiklûwth) is part of a rich vocabulary in Hebrew wisdom literature that distinguishes various forms of folly and wisdom.
* **Antonyms:** The primary antithesis is חָכְמָה (chokmah) `{{H2451}}`, meaning "wisdom," "skill," or "prudence," which represents the divine gift of discernment and right living. Other related concepts of sound understanding include דַּעַת (da'at) `{{H1847}}` (knowledge) and תְּבוּנָה (tevunah) `{{H8394}}` (understanding, discernment).
* **Synonyms/Related Terms:**
* הוֹלֵלוּת (holeluth) `{{H1947}}`: "madness," "raving folly," often paired with סִכְלוּת to denote an even more extreme or deranged form of irrationality.
* אִוֶּלֶת (ivveleth) `{{H200}}`: A more general term for "foolishness" or "folly," often associated with moral perversion.
* אֱוִיל (evil) `{{H191}}`: "fool" (a person), one who is morally and intellectually deficient.
* כְּסִיל (kesil) `{{H3684}}`: "fool" (a person), often depicting someone dull, stupid, or resistant to instruction.
* נָבָל (naval) `{{H5036}}`: "fool" (a person), implying one who is senseless, disgraceful, and morally reprehensible, often rejecting God.
* **Verbal Root:** The direct verbal root is סָכַל `{{H5528}}`, "to be foolish," which gives סִכְלוּת its core meaning.
### Theological Significance
In Ecclesiastes, סִכְלוּת (çiklûwth) is a key component of the Preacher's philosophical and theological inquiry into the meaning of life. It represents the human attempt to find satisfaction or understanding apart from divine wisdom. The Preacher's deep dive into סִכְלוּת is not an endorsement, but a demonstration of its ultimate futility and emptiness. It is presented as part of the "vanity" (הֶבֶל - hevel `{{H1892}}`) that pervades life "under the sun" when God is not rightly acknowledged.
Theologically, סִכְלוּת highlights the profound spiritual disorientation that results from a rejection or neglect of God's wisdom. It underscores the biblical premise that true wisdom originates from God, and any deviation from this path, whether intellectual or moral, leads to a life characterized by meaninglessness and even wickedness ([[Ecclesiastes 7:25]]). The Preacher's conclusion, that wisdom excels folly, serves as a powerful call to embrace discernment and righteous living as the only enduring path to meaning and contentment in a world full of apparent absurdities. Thus, סִכְלוּת serves as a negative foil, emphasizing the indispensable value of seeking and applying divine truth.
### Summary
H5531 סִכְלוּת (çiklûwth) signifies "folly" or "foolishness," derived from the root סָכַל `{{H5528}}` "to be foolish." Predominantly featured in Ecclesiastes, this term describes a state of mind and action characterized by a lack of sound judgment, often bordering on irrationality or madness. The Preacher consistently contrasts סִכְלוּת with חָכְמָה `{{H2451}}` (wisdom), unequivocally asserting wisdom's superiority ([[Ecclesiastes 2:13]]). While explored as part of the human experience "under the sun," סִכְלוּת is portrayed as ultimately futile and linked to moral wickedness ([[Ecclesiastes 7:25]]). Its theological significance lies in demonstrating the emptiness of human pursuits apart from divine wisdom, thereby underscoring the biblical imperative to embrace discernment and righteous living over senselessness.
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