Original Word: הוֹלֵלוּת
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: howleluwth
Pronunciation: ho-lay-looth
Phonetic Spelling: (ho-lay-looth')
Definition: Folly, foolishness
Meaning: folly

madness

From active participle of halal; folly -- madness.

see HEBREW halal

Word Origin
from halal
Definition
madness
NASB Translation
madness (1).

הוֺלֵלוּת noun feminine id. (formed unusually from the participle, an Aramaic formation, compare Ba^{NB 414 f.}) תְּהִּלַּת דִּבְּרֵיפִֿיהוּ סִכְלוּת וְאַחֲרִית מִּיהוּ הוֺלֵלוּת רָעָה Ecclesiastes 10:13 the beginning of the words of his mouth is folly, and the end of his mouth (his speech) is evil madness.

הַלֲלוּיָהּ, הַלֲלוּיָהֿ see הלל

Pi`el

Word Origin: Derived from the root verb הָלַל (halal), which means "to boast" or "to act foolishly."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • Strong's Greek Number 877: ἄνοια (anoia) • meaning "folly" or "senselessness."
• Strong's Greek Number 3472: μωρία (moria) • meaning "foolishness" or "folly."

These Greek terms capture similar themes of foolishness and lack of wisdom, often used in the New Testament to describe actions or beliefs that are contrary to the teachings of Christ and the apostles.

Usage: The word הוֹלֵלוּת (holelut) is used in the Hebrew Bible to describe actions or attitudes that are considered foolish or lacking in discernment. It is often used in a moral or ethical context, highlighting the contrast between wisdom and folly.

Context: The concept of folly, as expressed by the Hebrew word הוֹלֵלוּת (holelut), is a recurring theme in the wisdom literature of the Old Testament, particularly in the books of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. In these texts, folly is often juxtaposed with wisdom, serving as a warning against the dangers of living without regard for divine instruction or moral principles.

In Proverbs, folly is personified as a woman who leads people astray with her seductive and deceptive ways (Proverbs 9:13-18). The book of Ecclesiastes also reflects on the vanity and futility of life lived in folly, emphasizing the ultimate emptiness of pursuits that lack eternal significance (Ecclesiastes 2:12-17).

The Berean Standard Bible (BSB) captures the essence of folly in passages such as Ecclesiastes 10:1, which states, "As dead flies bring a stench to the perfumer’s oil, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor." This verse illustrates how even a small amount of foolishness can undermine the value of wisdom and honor.

The biblical perspective on folly underscores the importance of seeking wisdom and understanding, which are rooted in the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 9:10). The wise person is contrasted with the fool, who despises instruction and correction, leading to ruin and destruction.

הוֹלֵל֖וּת הוללות hō·w·lê·lūṯ holeLut hōwlêlūṯInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts