עֲוַל
to distort (morally)
Definition
The Hebrew verb עֲוַל (ʻăval) means to act unjustly or pervert what is right, specifically in a moral or ethical sense. It describes the act of distorting justice, twisting what is straight, or dealing in a crooked manner. In its two biblical occurrences, it portrays a deliberate turning away from righteousness, as seen in Psalm 71:4, where the psalmist prays for rescue from those who 'act unjustly,' and in Isaiah 26:10, which contrasts the fate of the wicked who, even when shown favor, 'deal unjustly' and do not perceive God's majesty.
Biblical Usage
This verb is used only twice in the Old Testament, both in poetic contexts. In Psalm 71:4, it describes the hostile actions of the wicked against the righteous psalmist. In Isaiah 26:10, it is used in a prophetic oracle to characterize the persistent moral corruption of the wicked, who fail to learn righteousness even when shown grace. The usage consistently highlights intentional moral distortion and unrighteous behavior.
Etymology
It is a primitive root verb. Cognates in other Semitic languages, like Arabic (ʻawila, 'to be crooked'), suggest a core meaning related to twisting or perverting. The Hebrew noun עָוֶל (ʻāvel, H5766), meaning 'injustice' or 'wrong,' is directly derived from this root, showing the verb's focus on producing moral crookedness.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it defines a fundamental breach in God's moral order. It is not merely a mistake but a willful perversion of justice and righteousness. Understanding עֲוַל enriches the reading of passages like Isaiah 26:10 by highlighting the stubborn, chosen nature of human sin—the active twisting of good into evil—which stands in direct opposition to God's character of perfect justice (Deuteronomy 32:4).
In ancient Israel's covenantal culture, justice (מִשְׁפָּט, mishpat) was a core social and religious ideal. To 'act unjustly' (עֲוַל) was to violate the community's covenant with God, undermining the social fabric. It implied a deliberate, often powerful, act of oppression or ethical distortion, differing from a modern, more generalized notion of 'being unfair.'
עָוָה (ʻāvâ, H5753) — to bend or twist (often morally); more general for iniquity. רָשָׁע (rāshāʻ, H7563) — to be wicked or guilty; a broader state of being, while עֲוַל is the active deed. עָשַׁק (ʻāshaq, H6231) — to oppress or defraud; focuses on exploitation, often economic.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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