Bible Dictionary
SOTTISH
Sottish means stupid, dull, or very foolish. Jeremiah uses the term to describe people who are wise in doing evil but lack understanding of what is good.
Definition
Sottish means stupid, dull, or very foolish. It describes a person or people whose understanding is thick-headed and lacking in good judgment.
Biblical Usage
Jeremiah uses the word of children who are wise in doing evil but have no understanding of what is good. The term therefore emphasizes moral and practical foolishness, not merely limited intelligence.
Historical Background
The English word translates a Hebrew term meaning “thick-headed.” The Revised Version expresses the sense as “stupid” or “very foolish.”
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>sot'-ish (cakhal "thick-headed"): "They are sottish (stupid, very foolish) children" (Jer 4:22).</p>