What does עָוָה (ʿiwwāh) mean in the Bible?
עָוָה (ʿiwwāh): Moral crookedness: physical bending metaphorically extends to ethical distortion and iniquity before God.
Hebrew · H5753
עָוָה
To crook , literally or figuratively
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Where it appears: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
This lexicon entry is part of our ongoing editorial review. If you notice missing content, unclear wording, or a possible correction, please send us a note through theConnect page. Screenshots are helpful.
עָוָהH5753
Pronunciationʿiwwāh
What does עָוָה (ʿiwwāh) mean in the Bible?
עָוָה (ʿiwwāh): Moral crookedness: physical bending metaphorically extends to ethical distortion and iniquity before God.
Full entry for עָוָה (H5753) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H5753?
The BSB source-word alignment has 17 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include and done wrong (3), acted wickedly (1), and perverted (1), but a twisted (1), committing iniquity (1).
Where does עָוָה (ʿiwwāh) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at 1 Samuel 20:30. Its strongest book concentrations include 2 Samuel (3), Isaiah (2), Jeremiah (2), Psalms (2).
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders Itand done wrong3×1 Kings 8:47, 2 Chronicles 6:37, Daniel 9:5
acted wickedly1×2 Samuel 24:17
and perverted1×Job 33:27
but a twisted1×Proverbs 12:8
committing iniquity1×Jeremiah 9:5
crooked1×Lamentations 3:9
has wronged1×Esther 1:16
he does wrong1×2 Samuel 7:14
He will twist1×Isaiah 24:1
I am bent1×Psalms 38:6
I am bewildered1×Isaiah 21:3
of a perverse1×1 Samuel 20:30
they have perverted1×Jeremiah 3:21
we have done wrong1×Psalms 106:6
wrongdoing1×2 Samuel 19:19
Show sample aligned rows
1 Samuel 20:30נַעֲוַ֖תtoof a perverseVerb - Nifal - Participle - feminine singular construct2 Samuel 7:14בְּהַ֣עֲוֺת֔וֹtohe does wrongPreposition-b | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular2 Samuel 19:19הֶעֱוָ֣הtowrongdoingVerb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular2 Samuel 24:17הֶעֱוֵ֔יתִיtoacted wickedlyVerb - Hifil - Perfect - first person common singular1 Kings 8:47וְהֶעֱוִ֖ינוּtoand done wrongConjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - first person common plural2 Chronicles 6:37הֶעֱוִ֖ינוּtoand done wrongVerb - Hifil - Perfect - first person common pluralEsther 1:16עָוְתָ֖הtohas wrongedVerb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singularJob 33:27הֶעֱוֵ֗יתִיtoand pervertedVerb - Hifil - Perfect - first person common singularPsalms 38:6נַעֲוֵ֣יתִיtoI am bentVerb - Nifal - Perfect - first person common singularPsalms 106:6הֶעֱוִ֥ינוּtowe have done wrongVerb - Hifil - Perfect - first person common plural
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned row1 Samuel 20:30
Aligned rows17
Books represented12
1 Samuel12 Samuel31 Kings12 Chronicles1Esther1Job1Psalms2Proverbs1Isaiah2Jeremiah2Lamentations1Daniel1
Source forms
נַעֲוֵ֣יתִי2xna·‘ă·wê·ṯîPsalms 38:6, Isaiah 21:3
בְּהַ֣עֲוֺת֔וֹ1xbə·ha·‘ă·wō·ṯōw2 Samuel 7:14
הֶעֱוָ֣ה1xhe·‘ĕ·wāh2 Samuel 19:19
הַעֲוֵ֥ה1xha·‘ă·wêhJeremiah 9:5
הֶעֱוּוּ֙1xhe·‘ĕw·wūJeremiah 3:21
הֶעֱוִ֖ינוּ1xhe·‘ĕ·wî·nū2 Chronicles 6:37
הֶעֱוִ֥ינוּ1xhe·‘ĕ·wî·nūPsalms 106:6
הֶעֱוֵ֔יתִי1xhe·‘ĕ·wê·ṯî2 Samuel 24:17
Parsing patterns
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - first person common plural2x2 Chronicles 6:37, Psalms 106:6
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - first person common singular2x2 Samuel 24:17, Job 33:27
Verb - Nifal - Perfect - first person common singular2xPsalms 38:6, Isaiah 21:3
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - first person common plural1x1 Kings 8:47
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular construct1xProverbs 12:8
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular1xIsaiah 24:1
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common plural1xDaniel 9:5
Preposition-b | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular1x2 Samuel 7:14
Evidence Summary
Revelation
Hebrew word. Moral crookedness: physical bending metaphorically extends to ethical distortion and iniquity before God.
Strong'sH5753
Lexical occurrences17 versesWord forms4 forms12 referencesVerse guides0 guides
Study linkIsaiah 19:11-15Source Gloss
to crook , literally or figuratively
Extended definitionSource: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
Moral crookedness: physical bending metaphorically extends to ethical distortion and iniquity before God.
to crook, literally or figuratively BDB: bend Usage: do amiss, bow down, make crooked, commit iniquity, pervert, (do) perverse(-ly), trouble, × turn, do wickedly, do wrong.
Grammatical Forms
How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.
This verb appears through different tense, voice, mood, or stem patterns. Those forms help readers see how the action is presented in context.
Form groups4Aligned forms12
Hiphilcausative active — the subject causes someone else to perform the action7×
Perfect2Chr 6:37 · Ps 106:6 · 2Sam 24:17 · Job 33:27 · 2Sam 19:20 · Jer 3:216×
Infinitive absoluteJer 9:41×
Niphalpassive or reflexive — the subject receives or experiences the action3×
PerfectIsa 21:3 · Ps 38:72×
Participle active1Sam 20:301×
Qalbasic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense1×
PerfectEsth 1:161×
Pielintensive active — emphasizes thoroughness or repeated action1×
PerfectLam 3:91×
Selected Scripture Witness
Selected passage-level study witnesses for this word. This section is not the full occurrence list.
Old Testament Witnesses
Distortion or perversion leading to disorientation.
Showing 1 selected witness from 17 lexical occurrence verses.
Word Origins
עָוָה is a primitive root - no further derivation.
Why This Word Matters
The word underscores deliberate judicial disruption of counsel.Isaiah 19:11-15
Canonical Themes
Revelation
Part of These Phrases
Compound and idiomatic phrases that include this word. Follow a link to study the phrase and how its parts work together.