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עָוַת

𐤏𐤅𐤕

ʻâvath

H5791 verb

SILEX Entry

Root עות to bend, twist, distort

Definition

To bend, twist or distort physically or metaphorically; by extension, to act perversely, corruptly, or to pervert justice and truth. The term can describe literal or figurative turning aside from what is straight, upright, or true.

Semantic Range

to bend, to make crooked, to twist, to distort, to pervert (justice/truth), to act corruptly, to subvert, to deal perversely, to overthrow, to turn upside down

Root / Etymology

Root: עות. This root conveys the idea of bending, twisting, or distorting. The derived verb עָוַת reflects this core notion of physical or moral distortion, whether of an object, path, standard, or principle. The notion of 'making something crooked' extends naturally from physical twisting to metaphorical distortion, such as perverting justice or truth.

Historical & Contextual Notes

Throughout the Hebrew Bible, עָוַת is used both for literal twisting (of objects or terrain) and for figurative distortion or perversion, especially in the ethical or judicial sphere. In poetic or prophetic texts, it often denotes corrupting or perverting the right way or the proper order, particularly in the context of justice or truth (cf. Job 8:3, 'Does God pervert justice?'). The nuance can include turning things upside down, subverting integrity, or causing moral or legal confusion. Unlike some related roots (e.g., עָקַם 'to twist' but often less loaded ethically), עָוַת often carries a strong sense of willful corruption or moral distortion. English translations such as "pervert," "subvert," or "deal perversely" approximate the semantic range but often fail to capture the underlying metaphor of physical twisting that pervades the term. Its occurrence is relatively rare, and when used, it often emphasizes intentionality and seriousness of the perversion.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to wrest; bow self, (make) crooked., falsifying, overthrow, deal perversely, pervert, subvert, turn upside down.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

עות (ʿ-w-t) — bend, twist, distort

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H5790 עוּת to hasten to help
H5792 עַוָּתָה my injustice
H5793 עוּתַי Yah-has-helped
H6265 עֲתָיָה Yah Has Helped

Word Forms

8 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H5791-08 יְעַוֵּֽת yeavet HVpi3ms pervert he will distort 4
H5791-06 וּ/לְ/עַוֵּ֖ת uleavet HC/R/Vpc and falsifying and to distort 1
H5791-01 עִוְּתָ֑/נִי ivetani HVpp3ms/Sp1cs he has wronged me he has twisted me 1
H5791-02 עִוְּתֽ/וֹ iveto HVpp3ms/Sp3ms he distorted him 1
H5791-07 וְ/הִֽתְעַוְּת֖וּ vehiteavetu HC/Vtq3cp and are bent and they twisted themselves 1
H5791-05 מְעֻוָּ֖ת meuvat HVPsmsa one made crooked 1
H5791-04 לְ/עַוֵּ֤ת leavet HR/Vpc to subvert to distort 1
H5791-03 עִוְּת֑וּ/נִי ivetuni HVpp3cp/Sp1cs they subverted me they distorted me 1

Occurrences in Scripture

11 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H5791-06 Amos 8:5 וּ/לְ/עַוֵּ֖ת uleavet HC/R/Vpc and falsifying and to distort
H5791-03 Psalms 119:78 עִוְּת֑וּ/נִי ivetuni HVpp3cp/Sp1cs they subverted me they distorted me
H5791-08 Psalms 146:9 יְעַוֵּֽת yeavet HVpi3ms He will overturn he will distort
H5791-08 Job 8:3 יְעַוֵּ֣ת yeavet HVpi3ms pervert he will distort
H5791-08 Job 8:3 יְעַוֵּֽת yeavet-2 HVpi3ms pervert he will distort
H5791-01 Job 19:6 עִוְּתָ֑/נִי ivetani HVpp3ms/Sp1cs he has wronged me he has twisted me
H5791-08 Job 34:12 יְעַוֵּ֥ת yeavet HVpi3ms will-pervert he will distort
H5791-04 Lamentations 3:36 לְ/עַוֵּ֤ת leavet HR/Vpc to subvert to distort
H5791-05 Ecclesiastes 1:15 מְעֻוָּ֖ת meuvat HVPsmsa one made crooked
H5791-02 Ecclesiastes 7:13 עִוְּתֽ/וֹ iveto HVpp3ms/Sp3ms he distorted him
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