OliveGrove
Pressing the Word of God for Deeper Understanding.
Hebrew · H5557, G1294 · unreviewed

תְּסַלֵּף

Properly, to wrench , i.e. (figuratively) to subvert · to pervert

These lexicon entries are being actively developed. If you notice missing content, incorrect definitions, or have suggestions, we'd love to hear from you. Share a note on our Connect page and include a screenshot if helpful.

Words in this compound — expand to study each participant

סָלַף H5557 properly, to wrench , i.e. (figuratively) to subvert
Open lexicon entry →
διαστρέφω G1294 to pervert
Pronunciation diastréphō
To twist or distort, especially morally or doctrinally; describing those who corrupt truth or teaching.
Open lexicon entry →

What does תְּסַלֵּף (tesalef) mean in the Bible?

סָלַף · διαστρέφω is a Hebrew word meaning "to distort, overturn, corrupt".

Full entry for תְּסַלֵּף (H5557, G1294) · Browse the biblical lexicon

Meaning

to distort, overturn, corrupt
Grammatical Forms

How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.

Piel intensive active — emphasizes thoroughness or repeated action 4×
Imperfect Prov 13:6 · Prov 19:3 · Job 12:19 3×
Participle active Prov 21:12 1×
4 total occurrences across all forms in the biblical text Morphology: OSHB — CC BY 4.0
Hebrew Verb Forms

How this verb appears across 4 occurrences in the Hebrew OT (OSHB Leningrad Codex).

Aspect / Form
Imperfect 3 Participle 1
Stem
Piel 4
Mood
Indicative/jussive 3
OT Occurrences
Job 12:19 Piel · Imperfect · Indicative/jussive Prov 13:6 Piel · Imperfect · Indicative/jussive Prov 19:3 Piel · Imperfect · Indicative/jussive Prov 21:12 Piel · Participle

Aspect in Hebrew reflects grammatical form, not tense. "Perfect" (Perfective) typically denotes completed action; "Imperfect" (Imperfective) denotes incomplete or ongoing action. Stem modifies the action type (Qal=simple, Niphal=passive, Piel=intensive, etc.).

Morphology: OSHB WLC (Open Scriptures, CC BY 4.0) · STEPBible TEHMC (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0)

Word Pictures (Robertson)

A.T. Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) discusses this term in the following chapters. Open any chapter and go to the Word Pictures tab to read his verse-by-verse commentary.

Acts 20 — Paul’s Farewell Charge to Shepherd the Church of God Matthew 17 — The Glory of the Son, the Coming of Elijah, the Failure of Little Faith, and the Son’s Humble Freedom

A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (1930–31) — public domain

Sources

MorphGNT Strong's Dictionary XML — CC0 1.0 Public Domain

Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible (morphhb/OSHB) — CC BY 4.0

Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon — CC BY 4.0

STEPBible Data — CC BY 4.0

Full license details