עֲקַלְקַל
𐤏𐤒𐤋𐤒𐤋
ʻăqalqal
H6128 adjective
SILEX Entry
Definition
Winding, twisting, or meandering, especially of a physical path, track, or route that is not straight. The term can also be applied metaphorically to describe something devious, indirect, or circuitous in character, such as the course of a person's actions or thoughts.
Semantic Range
winding (of path or road), twisting, meandering, crooked, circuitous (literal or figurative), devious (metaphorical sense), indirect
Root / Etymology
From the root עקל (ʻ-q-l), which conveys the idea of bending, twisting, or being curved. The reduplicated form עֲקַלְקַל intensifies this sense, indicating something that is repeatedly or thoroughly winding or twisting.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In biblical usage, עֲקַלְקַל occurs rarely and principally characterizes a road or path (e.g., Proverbs 2:15). It typically denotes literal winding pathways but may bear metaphorical force, suggesting lives or behaviors that are crooked or devious as opposed to upright or straightforward. The term bolsters the ethical dichotomy in wisdom literature, distinguishing between straight (יָשָׁר yashar) and crooked (עָקַל aqal or עֲקַלְקַל) conduct. Later translations sometimes render the word metaphorically, but the original context is often that of actual, physically winding routes. The nuance of circuitousness may also carry connotations of unpredictability or moral ambiguity, especially in poetic or wisdom texts. The root and its derivatives are distinct from other Hebrew terms for 'crooked,' such as עָוַת (to twist, pervert), each emphasizing different shades of moral or physical deviation.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from עָקַל; winding; by(-way), crooked way.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
עקל (ʿ-q-l) — to twist, bend, be crooked
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6128-02 |
עַֽקַלְקַלּוֹתָ֗/ם | aqaleqalotam | HAafpc/Sp3mp |
to their crooked ways | their winding ones | 1 |
H6128-01 |
עֲקַלְקַלּֽוֹת | aqaleqalot | HAafpa |
crooked | thoroughly winding ones | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6128-01 |
Judges 5:6 | עֲקַלְקַלּֽוֹת | aqaleqalot | HAafpa |
crooked | thoroughly winding ones |
H6128-02 |
Psalms 125:5 | עַֽקַלְקַלּוֹתָ֗/ם | aqaleqalotam | HAafpc/Sp3mp |
to their crooked ways | their winding ones |