The Hebrew word ʻĕlîy, represented by H5940, is the term for a pestle. Its base definition relates to being lifted, and it appears only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the entire Bible, making its single usage highly specific and illustrative.
The sole appearance of H5940 is in Proverbs 27:22, where it is used in a powerful metaphor about the nature of foolishness. The verse describes the futility of trying to remove foolishness from a fool. It states that even if you bray H3806 a fool H191 in a mortar H4388 with a pestle, their foolishness H200 will not depart H5493 from them. The pestle here is the tool of intense physical processing, emphasizing that no amount of external force can cure a deep-seated spiritual or moral flaw.
The meaning of H5940 is clarified by the words used alongside it in its only context:
- H3806 kâthash (bray): This verb means "to butt or pound," describing the forceful action performed by the pestle.
- H4388 maktêsh (mortar): This is the hollow vessel in which the pounding occurs. It is used elsewhere to refer to a "hollow place" Judges 15:19.
- H191 ʼĕvîyl (fool): This is the subject of the proverb, a person described as silly and perverse. The Bible notes that a fool's way seems right in his own eyes Proverbs 12:15.
- H200 ʼivveleth (foolishness): This is the quality that the pestle cannot remove. It is a state of "silliness" that is bound in the heart Proverbs 22:15.
The theological weight of H5940 is tied entirely to its use in this single, potent proverb.
- The Incorrigibility of Folly: The primary lesson is that some foolishness is so ingrained it is incorrigible. The image of braying a fool H191 with a pestle like he is wheat H7383 demonstrates that what works to refine a substance cannot refine a person who rejects wisdom. This aligns with descriptions of fools who despise wisdom and instruction Proverbs 1:7.
- Spiritual vs. Physical Reality: The proverb uses the physical action of a pestle to highlight a spiritual truth. While a rod of correction may drive foolishness H200 from a child Proverbs 22:15, the fool described here is beyond that point. His condition is not a surface-level issue but one of character that will not depart H5493.
- A Metaphor for Futility: The pestle serves as an instrument in a picture of utter futility. The action is violent and thorough, yet completely ineffective. This illustrates the profound difficulty in changing someone whose foolishness is a core part of their identity.
In summary, H5940 is a simple word for an agricultural tool, the pestle. However, its single use in scripture gives it a significant role in one of the Bible's most vivid metaphors. Through its inclusion in Proverbs 27:22, it helps to paint a stark picture of the stubborn and inseparable nature of folly in a person who is committed to it, showing that some spiritual conditions cannot be remedied by external force.
TRV