Parallel Strong's Berean Study BibleIt is better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his folly. Young's Literal Translation The meeting of a bereaved bear by a man, And—not a fool in his folly. King James Bible Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly. Hebrew [It is better]בְּאִ֑ישׁ (bə·’îš) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person to meet פָּג֬וֹשׁ (pā·ḡō·wōš) Verb - Qal - Infinitive absolute Strong's 6298: To come in contact with, to concur a bear דֹּ֣ב (dōḇ) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 1677: The bear robbed of her cubs שַׁכּ֣וּל (šak·kūl) Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 7909: Childless than וְאַל־ (wə·’al-) Conjunctive waw | Adverb Strong's 408: Not a fool כְּ֝סִ֗יל (kə·sîl) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3684: Stupid fellow, dullard, fool in his folly. בְּאִוַּלְתּֽוֹ׃ (bə·’iw·wal·tōw) Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 200: Silliness |