לְזוּת
𐤋𐤆𐤅𐤕
lᵉzûwth
H3891 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Deviance or twisting from what is right or proper; behavior or speech that is morally or ethically distorted, particularly in the sense of perversion or cunning. The word indicates an active inclination to depart from accepted norms, often with the connotation of deceit or corruption.
Semantic Range
perverseness, deviation from uprightness, moral crookedness, deviousness, duplicity, scheming
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root לוּז (l-w-z), meaning 'to turn aside, depart, deviate.' לְזוּת is a feminine noun formation expressing the quality or state of 'turning aside' in a moral or behavioral sense, i.e., perverseness.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In its rare biblical occurrence (cf. Psalm 101:4), לְזוּת refers to a character trait or disposition marked by moral deviation or scheming. The usage does not primarily denote sexual perversion (as later English may imply) but rather the broader sense of twisting or distorting what is upright, including crookedness, duplicity, or craftiness in one's actions or attitudes. The related root לוּז is also the source of the geographical name Luz, but this noun form is purely ethical in meaning. In later Hebrew or translation traditions, the term is sometimes rendered 'perverseness' or 'deviousness,' but always in contrast to uprightness or integrity. Standard English translations typically narrow the semantic range to 'perverseness,' risking loss of the original's broader sense of deviation or scheming.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from לוּז; perverseness; perverse.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
לוז (l-w-z) — to turn aside, to depart, to deviate
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3891-01 |
וּ/לְז֥וּת | ulezut | HC/Ncfsc |
and perversity | and deviating-perverseness of | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H3891-01 |
Proverbs 4:24 | וּ/לְז֥וּת | ulezut | HC/Ncfsc |
and perversity | and deviating-perverseness of |