עָוַת (H5791) — Hebrew Lexicon

עָוַת

𐤏𐤅𐤕

ʻâvath

H5791 verb

SILEX Entry

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.

Translation Consistency

primary "distort" 7 occurrences

Covers both the literal bending/twisting sense and the common figurative sense (distorting truth, justice, or conduct). It is the most frequent P2 rendering and reads naturally across physical and moral contexts, ensuring consistent translation for all forms of עָוַת (H5791).

Alternatives (4 occurrences):

"subverted" (1x) "wronged" (1x) "made crooked" (1x) "bent" (1x)

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

No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.

Root Family

עות (Utay) — to bend, twist, distort

Root עות to bend, twist, distort

Strong's	Lemma	SIBI-P1
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	SIBI-P2	Occurrences
`H5791-08`	יְעַוֵּ֣ת	yeavet	`HVpi3ms`	pervert	he will distort	he will distort	4
`H5791-01`	עִוְּתָ֑/נִי	ivetani	`HVpp3ms/Sp1cs`	he has wronged me	he has twisted me	has wronged me	1
`H5791-02`	עִוְּתֽ/וֹ	iveto	`HVpp3ms/Sp3ms`		he distorted him	he distorted him	1
`H5791-03`	עִוְּת֑וּ/נִי	ivetuni	`HVpp3cp/Sp1cs`	they subverted me	they distorted me	they subverted me	1
`H5791-04`	לְ/עַוֵּ֤ת	leavet	`HR/Vpc`	to subvert	to distort	to distort	1
`H5791-05`	מְעֻוָּ֖ת	meuvat	`HVPsmsa`		one made crooked	one made crooked	1
`H5791-06`	וּ/לְ/עַוֵּ֖ת	uleavet	`HC/R/Vpc`	and falsifying	and to distort	and to distort	1
`H5791-07`	וְ/הִֽתְעַוְּת֖וּ	vehiteavetu	`HC/Vtq3cp`	and are bent	and they twisted themselves	and they are bent	1

Occurrences in Scripture

11 occurrences

SIDANCE	Reference	Word	Transliteration	Morphology	Common	SIBI-P1	SIBI-P2
`H5791-06`	Amos 8:5	וּ/לְ/עַוֵּ֖ת	uleavet	`HC/R/Vpc`	and falsifying	and to distort	and to distort
`H5791-03`	Psalms 119:78	עִוְּת֑וּ/נִי	ivetuni	`HVpp3cp/Sp1cs`	they subverted me	they distorted me	they subverted me
`H5791-08`	Psalms 146:9	יְעַוֵּֽת	yeavet	`HVpi3ms`	He will overturn	he will distort	he will distort
`H5791-08`	Job 8:3	יְעַוֵּ֣ת	yeavet	`HVpi3ms`	pervert	he will distort	he will distort
`H5791-08`	Job 8:3	יְעַוֵּֽת	yeavet-2	`HVpi3ms`	pervert	he will distort	he will distort
`H5791-01`	Job 19:6	עִוְּתָ֑/נִי	ivetani	`HVpp3ms/Sp1cs`	he has wronged me	he has twisted me	has wronged me
`H5791-08`	Job 34:12	יְעַוֵּ֥ת	yeavet	`HVpi3ms`	will-pervert	he will distort	he will distort
`H5791-04`	Lamentations 3:36	לְ/עַוֵּ֤ת	leavet	`HR/Vpc`	to subvert	to distort	to distort
`H5791-05`	Ecclesiastes 1:15	מְעֻוָּ֖ת	meuvat	`HVPsmsa`		one made crooked	one made crooked
`H5791-02`	Ecclesiastes 7:13	עִוְּתֽ/וֹ	iveto	`HVpp3ms/Sp3ms`		he distorted him	he distorted him
`H5791-07`	Ecclesiastes 12:3	וְ/הִֽתְעַוְּת֖וּ	vehiteavetu	`HC/Vtq3cp`	and are bent	and they twisted themselves	and they are bent

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