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עִקֵּשׁ

𐤏𐤒𐤔

ʻiqqêsh

H6141 adjective

SILEX Entry

Root עקש to twist, to distort, to be crooked

Definition

Adjective describing that which is twisted, crooked, or morally perverted. The term can refer literally to something physically bent or twisted out of shape, and more frequently in figurative use, to actions, speech, or character that deviate from uprightness, rectitude, or moral order. In moral or ethical contexts, it describes a person or behavior that is deceitful, unrighteous, or perverse.

Semantic Range

crooked (physically or morally), twisted, perverse, contrary, deceitful, morally corrupt, distorted

Root / Etymology

Root: עקש. The root carries the sense of 'to twist, to distort, to be crooked.' The adjective עִקֵּשׁ is the intensive (piʿel) participle form, indicating the state of being twisted or perverted, whether physically or, more commonly, in a moral or ethical sense.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In biblical usage, עִקֵּשׁ most frequently occurs in wisdom literature (e.g., Proverbs, Psalms) as an antithesis to uprightness or integrity, often characterizing persons whose ways or motives are not straightforward or honest. The physical sense ('twisted, bent') is attested but much rarer; the predominant use is figurative, indicating moral deviation. Comparatively, related adjectives like עָקֹב (ʿāqōb, 'deceitful, insidious') and נָפַךְ (nāphakh, used of breathing, but in forms related to 'perversion') serve as semantic parallels, but עִקֵּשׁ emphasizes the notion of willful distortion or perversity. English translations vary: 'perverse,' 'crooked,' 'froward' (archaic for stubbornly contrary) are common, but may fail to convey fully the underlying sense of deliberate ethical or moral distortion. The term does not specifically denote rebellion against divine law, but a broader bentness or perversity in character. Its usage is largely consistent across pre-exilic and later biblical writings, remaining a term for moral deviation rather than physical shape.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from עָקַשׁ; distorted; hence, false; crooked, froward, perverse.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

עקש (ʿ-q-sh) — to twist, to distort, to be crooked

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H4625 מַעֲקָשׁ and crooked windings
H6140 עָקַשׁ they have twisted
H6142 עִקֵּשׁ twisted one
H6143 עִקְּשׁוּת crookedness of

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H6141-01 עִקֵּ֖שׁ iqesh HAamsa perverse twisted one 6
H6141-04 מֵ/עִקֵּ֥שׁ meiqesh HR/Aamsc than crooked twisted 2
H6141-03 עִקְּשִׁ֑ים iqeshim HAampa crooked twisted ones 1
H6141-05 וְ/עִקֵּֽשׁ veiqesh HC/Aamsa or perverse and twisted 1
H6141-02 עִקְּשֵׁי iqeshey HAampc perverse twisted ones of 1

Occurrences in Scripture

11 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H6141-01 Deuteronomy 32:5 עִקֵּ֖שׁ iqesh HAamsa perverse twisted one
H6141-01 2 Samuel 22:27 עִקֵּ֖שׁ iqesh HAamsa perverse twisted one
H6141-01 Psalms 18:27 עִ֝קֵּ֗שׁ iqesh HAamsa the crooked twisted one
H6141-01 Psalms 101:4 עִ֭קֵּשׁ iqesh HAamsa perverse twisted one
H6141-03 Proverbs 2:15 עִקְּשִׁ֑ים iqeshim HAampa crooked twisted ones
H6141-05 Proverbs 8:8 וְ/עִקֵּֽשׁ veiqesh HC/Aamsa or perverse and twisted
H6141-02 Proverbs 11:20 עִקְּשֵׁי iqeshey HAampc perverse twisted ones of
H6141-01 Proverbs 17:20 עִקֶּשׁ iqesh HAamsc perverse twisted one
H6141-04 Proverbs 19:1 מֵ/עִקֵּ֥שׁ meiqesh HR/Aamsc than perverse twisted
H6141-01 Proverbs 22:5 עִקֵּ֑שׁ iqesh HAamsa the-crooked twisted one
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