עַוָּתָה
𐤏𐤅𐤕𐤄
ʻavvâthâh
H5792 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A state or act of moral or social perversion, distortion, or injustice; specifically, ethical or legal wrongdoing, often in contexts of corrupt or oppressive behavior. The term refers to the bending or twisting of what is right or just, describing actions or conditions that violate communal norms, laws, or principles of justice.
Semantic Range
injustice, perversion, wrongdoing, oppression, distortion of justice, moral corruption, legal corruption
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root עות, which means 'to bend, twist, pervert, distort.' The noun עַוָּתָה is a feminine abstract formation, indicating the quality, state, or act of perverting or distorting, especially with respect to justice or ethical standards.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Hebrew Bible, עַוָּתָה occurs primarily in poetic and prophetic passages as a term denoting injustice or serious wrongdoing, particularly in legal or social contexts (Isaiah 59:3, Job 5:16). The term differs from similar Hebrew words for 'sin' or 'transgression' (like עָוֹן and חֵטְא), as it frequently highlights the aspect of perversion or distortion from an expected norm, with a strong association to social injustice and exploitation. In post-exilic literature, related abstract forms are used to emphasize systemic or institutional wrongs. English translations commonly render it as 'wrong,' 'iniquity,' 'perversity,' or 'injustice,' but the root idea of 'distortion of justice/right' is often broader. The later rabbinic development of related terms focuses further on juridical contexts, but the biblical term retains a broad ethical and social range.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from עָוַת; oppression; wrong.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
עות (ʿ-w-t) — bend, twist, pervert, distort
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H5790 | עוּת | to hasten to help |
| H5791 | עָוַת | he has twisted me |
| H5793 | עוּתַי | Yah-has-helped |
| H6265 | עֲתָיָה | Yah Has Helped |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5792-01 |
עַוָּ֣תָתִ֔/י | avatati | HNcfsc/Sp1cs |
my wrong | my injustice | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5792-01 |
Lamentations 3:59 | עַוָּ֣תָתִ֔/י | avatati | HNcfsc/Sp1cs |
my wrong | my injustice |