ne.va.lah denotes conduct condemned as a shameful offense, and can also describe foolish speech or behavior.

The term most often labels an act treated as a grave, condemned offense within Israel, including sexual violation, covenant transgression, and wrongdoing answered by communal judgment. It also characterizes foolish speech or conduct, as when a fool speaks and practices evil or when speakers have not spoken rightly.

1. A condemned and shameful offense · dominant

   The singular absolute noun identifies an act that is not to be done: in Genesis 34:7 the APB renders the clause about lying with Jacob's daughter as having done “a folly in Israel,” and in 2 Samuel 13:12 it occurs in a prohibition against forcing Tamar. Deuteronomy 22:21, Joshua 7:15, and Judges 20:6 likewise place it with conduct described as sexual wrongdoing, covenant transgression, or wickedness in Israel; Jeremiah 29:23 presents adultery and false speech as an “outrage.”

   Genesis 34:72 Samuel 13:12Deuteronomy 22:21Joshua 7:15Judges 20:6Jeremiah 29:23
2. Foolish speech or conduct · occasional

   The same singular absolute noun can describe what characterizes a person or what is spoken or done. In 1 Samuel 25:25 the APB says that “folly is with” Nabal; in Isaiah 32:6 it renders a fool as speaking folly while his heart practices evil, and in Job 42:8 it occurs in the contrast between speaking wrongly to God and Job's right speech.

   1 Samuel 25:25Isaiah 32:6Job 42:8

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB variously presents the term with “folly,” “foolish thing,” and “outrage” in clauses concerning wrongdoing, speech, or character. Because the APB translates whole verses rather than aligning each word, these renderings show the verse-level presentation rather than fixed English equivalents.