What does שָׁפַט · עֶוֶל mean in the Bible?
שָׁפַט · עֶוֶל is a Hebrew phrase meaning "judging unjustly or giving judgment to wrong".
Hebrew · H8199, H5766
תִּשְׁפְּטוּ־עָוֶל
To judge , i.e. pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish ; by extenssion, to govern ; passively, to litigate (literally or figuratively) · (moral) evil
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 the Connect page. Screenshots are helpful.
Words in this compound — expand to study each participant
שָׁפַט H8199 to judge , i.e. pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish ; by extenssion, to govern ; passively, to litigate (literally or figuratively)
Pronunciation shāphaṭ
To judge is to execute justice through pronouncement, vindication, punishment, and governance—God's covenantal prerogative.
Open lexicon entry →
עֶוֶל H5766 (moral) evil
Pronunciation ‘āwel
Moral corruption and legal injustice intertwined; structural perverseness rather than isolated wrongdoing
Open lexicon entry →
What does תִּשְׁפְּטוּ־עָוֶל (tishpetu-avel) mean in the Bible?
שָׁפַט · עֶוֶל is a Hebrew phrase meaning "judging unjustly or giving judgment to wrong".
Full entry for תִּשְׁפְּטוּ־עָוֶל (H8199, H5766) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How many biblical occurrences are listed for H8199, H5766?
H8199, H5766 is connected to 258 lexical occurrence verses in the lexicon data.
Evidence Summary
Hebrew phrase. judging unjustly or giving judgment to wrong
Source Gloss
judging unjustly or giving judgment to 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 groups 2 Aligned forms 89
Qal basic active stem — the word in its most common, direct sense 80×
Participle active 1Chr 17:6 · 1Chr 17:10 · 1Sam 3:13 · 1Sam 8:1 · 1Sam 8:2 · 2Chr 19:5 · 2Chr 26:21 · 2Kgs 15:5 · 2Sam 7:11 · 2Sam 15:4 · Amos 2:3 · Deut 16:18 · Ezek 34:17 · Isa 3:2 · Isa 16:5 · Isa 40:23 32×
Imperfect 1Kgs 7:7 · 2Chr 1:10 · Eccl 3:17 · Isa 11:3 · Job 21:22 · Job 22:13 · Judg 11:27 · Ps 9:9 · Ps 72:4 · Ps 82:1 · Ps 96:13 · Ps 98:9 · Exod 18:22 · Exod 18:26 · Ezek 23:45 · Gen 31:53 32×
Sequential imperfect Isa 1:17 · Isa 5:3 · Ps 82:3 · Zech 7:9 · Zech 8:16 · Prov 31:9 6×
Perfect 1Kgs 3:28 · 1Sam 4:18 · 1Sam 7:17 · Judg 16:31 · 2Kgs 23:22 · Jer 5:28 6×
Jussive 1Sam 24:13 · Gen 16:5 2×
Infinitive absolute Gen 19:9 1×
Infinitive construct Ruth 1:1 1×
Niphal passive or reflexive — the subject receives or experiences the action 9×
Participle active Isa 59:4 · Isa 66:16 · Jer 2:35 · Jer 25:31 · Prov 29:9 5×
Imperfect Ezek 20:36 · Ps 9:20 2×
Perfect Ezek 20:36 1×
Cohortative Isa 43:26 1×
Word Origins
תִּשְׁפְּטוּ־עָוֶל is a primitive root - no further derivation.
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
Berean Standard Bible (BSB) source-word alignment - CC0 Public Domain