רָשָׁע
Morally wrong ; concretely, an (actively) bad person
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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.
Canonical witness: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
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What does רָשָׁע (rasha) mean in the Bible?
רָשָׁע (rasha) is a Hebrew word meaning "morally wrong ; concretely, an (actively) bad person". morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person BDB: wicked Usage: condemned, guilty, ungodly, wicked (man), that did wrong. The term identifies those who live in opposition to God's moral order. This term runs through the canonical themes of Covenant, Wisdom.
Meaning
Active moral corruption: the wicked person who does wrong, not merely passive failure or error
morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person BDB: wicked Usage: condemned, guilty, ungodly, wicked (man), that did wrong.
Why This Word Matters
The term identifies those who live in opposition to God's moral order. Isaiah 48:20-22
The term identifies those whose moral orientation leads toward destruction. Proverbs 10:24
The wicked represent those who reject God's moral order. Proverbs 10:27
The proverb highlights the deceptive nature of gains acquired through unrighteous living. Proverbs 10:30
The wicked represent those who reject God's wisdom. Proverbs 11:18
The wicked person builds hope apart from God. Proverbs 11:5
The wicked ultimately inherit the consequences of their actions. Proverbs 11:7
Identifies those excluded from covenant peace. Proverbs 11:8
Grammatical Forms
How this word appears across different grammatical cases and numbers.
Biblical Occurrences
Each occurrence shows the passage reference, the original language term as it appears in that context, its transliteration, and the contextual sense.
Old Testament Witnesses
Showing 8 of 263 occurrences in the biblical text.
Appears In
Compound and idiomatic lexemes in which this word is a constituent. Follow a link to study the phrase and its other participating words.