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עַלְוָה

𐤏𐤋𐤅𐤄

ʻalvâh

H5932 noun

SILEX Entry

Root עו"ל to act wrongly, to do injustice, to behave pervertedly

Definition

ʻAlvāh denotes a state or condition of moral wrongdoing, typically understood as injustice, iniquity, or moral perversity. It refers to acts or systemic behaviors characterized by a departure from ethical or social norms, particularly in the context of justice and interpersonal conduct. In most instances, it is a noun describing actions or states considered contrary to the covenantal expectations or legal standards within Israelite society.

Semantic Range

iniquity, moral perverseness, injustice, wrongdoing, wickedness, unfairness

Root / Etymology

The term עַלְוָה (ʻalvāh) derives from the Hebrew root עו"ל, which is associated with the idea of acting wrongly or dealing unjustly. It is a feminine noun form, related to and possibly derived from עֶוֶל (ʻével), which has the core meaning of injustice, wrong, or unrighteousness.

Historical & Contextual Notes

עַלְוָה is an uncommon substantival form, appearing only in later biblical texts or as a poetic or literary variation of עֶוֶל. Its usage reflects an intensification or personification of the abstract quality of injustice. In certain contexts, ʻalvāh may refer more specifically to the systemic nature of injustice, rather than merely individual or isolated immoral acts. The term overlaps with but is not identical to עָוֹן (ʻāwōn, usually 'iniquity' or 'guilt'), which may emphasize culpability or the consequences of wrongdoing, whereas עַלְוָה centers on the actual nature or principle of moral wrong. In English translations, 'iniquity,' 'perverseness,' or 'injustice' are used, but they may not fully capture the nuance of a deviation from communal or covenantal standards of behavior. The differentiation between עֶוֶל and עַלְוָה is one of grammatical form and degree rather than kind, with the latter lending more weight or personified presence to the concept. There is no later historical or religious connotation implied by the term; it is a general word for wrongness rather than a technical legal or ritual term.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

for עֶוֶל; moral perverseness; iniquity.

Bantu Hebrew

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

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Root Family

עול (ʿ-w-l) — to act wrongly, to do injustice, to behave perversely

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H5759 עֲוִיל their nursing infants
H5760 עֲוִיל unjust man
H5763 עוּל to suckle
H5764 עוּל nursing infant of
H5765 עֲוַל from injustice

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H5932-01 עַֽלְוָֽה alevah HNcfsa iniquity moral wrongness 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H5932-01 Hosea 10:9 עַֽלְוָֽה alevah HNcfsa iniquity moral wrongness
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