לוּז
𐤋𐤅𐤆
lûwz
H3868 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To deviate, turn aside from a path or standard, or act in a manner that departs from accepted conduct. The word can refer to physical movement—literally turning aside or straying off course, as in leaving a road or diverging from a direction. More commonly in the Hebrew Bible, it is used metaphorically to indicate departing from moral or ethical norms, i.e., behaving perversely or crookedly, especially in speech or action. The term typically conveys intentional or habitual deviation from what is upright or correct.
Semantic Range
to turn aside, to depart (physically), to deviate (morally), to be perverse, to be crooked, to use perverse speech
Root / Etymology
Root לוז, probably meaning 'to turn aside, to deviate.' The verb לוּז is a primary root with no clear relation to other Semitic languages, though see partial comparison with לָוָה (to join or attach), לוּט (to wrap, cover), and לוּן (to lodge, tarry) in form but not necessarily in meaning. It denotes the idea of bending away from a set path or standard, either physically or metaphorically.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, לוּז occurs only a handful of times and is mostly employed in poetic or wisdom literature to describe those who 'turn aside' from righteousness or use perverse speech (see, e.g., Proverbs 3:32; 14:2). Usage is predominantly negative, often describing someone morally or ethically deviant—typically in opposition to the righteous. The English terms 'froward,' 'perverse,' or 'devious' are used in older translations, but these may obscure the original connotation of literal and figurative turning away. Unlike other Hebrew terms for evil (such as עָוֹן 'iniquity' or פֵּשַׁע 'rebellion'), לוּז emphasizes deviation or straying rather than overt rebellion or transgression. The word’s usage is mostly limited to poetic and sapiential contexts, with little to no appearance in legal or narrative texts. In post-biblical Hebrew, the root is rare and does not persist into later usage as a primary ethical term.
Translation Consistency
“Stray” is a natural, common verb that covers both literal turning aside from a path and the typical metaphorical sense of departing from right conduct or using perverse speech. It is simple, idiomatic English and fits the usual Hebrew range here better than more formal alternatives like “deviate” or awkward phrasal options like “turn aside.”
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
a primitive root; (compare לָוָה, לוּט and לוּן); to turn aside , i.e. (literally) to depart, (figuratively) be perverse; depart, froward, perverse(-ness).
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.
Root Family
לוז (Luz) — to turn aside, deviate, depart
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H3870 | לוּז | in Luz |
Word Forms
6 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3868-01 |
נָל֑וֹז | naloz | HVNrmsa |
devious | the deviating one | the devious one | 1 |
H3868-02 |
וּ/נְל֖וֹז | uneloz | HC/VNrmsc |
but he who is devious | one who turns aside | one who turns aside | 1 |
H3868-03 |
וּ֝/נְלוֹזִ֗ים | unelozim | HC/VNrmpa |
and devious | and turning-aside ones | and turning-aside ones | 1 |
H3868-04 |
וְ/נָל֔וֹז | venaloz | HC/VNrmsa |
and perverseness | and one who deviates | and perverseness | 1 |
H3868-05 |
יַלִּ֥יזוּ | yalizu | HVhj3mp |
let them depart | let them cause to deviate | let them depart | 1 |
H3868-06 |
יָלֻ֣זוּ | yaluzu | HVqj3mp |
let them depart | let them turn aside | let them stray | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
6 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3868-04 |
Isaiah 30:12 | וְ/נָל֔וֹז | venaloz | HC/VNrmsa |
and perverseness | and one who deviates | and perverseness |
H3868-03 |
Proverbs 2:15 | וּ֝/נְלוֹזִ֗ים | unelozim | HC/VNrmpa |
and devious | and turning-aside ones | and turning-aside ones |
H3868-06 |
Proverbs 3:21 | יָלֻ֣זוּ | yaluzu | HVqj3mp |
let them depart | let them turn aside | let them stray |
H3868-01 |
Proverbs 3:32 | נָל֑וֹז | naloz | HVNrmsa |
devious | the deviating one | the devious one |
H3868-05 |
Proverbs 4:21 | יַלִּ֥יזוּ | yalizu | HVhj3mp |
let them depart | let them cause to deviate | let them depart |
H3868-02 |
Proverbs 14:2 | וּ/נְל֖וֹז | uneloz | HC/VNrmsc |
but he who is devious | one who turns aside | one who turns aside |