Strong's Lexicon avath: To bend, twist, distort, pervert Original Word: עָוַת Word Origin: A primitive root Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: - G1294 (διαστρέφω, diastrephō): To distort, pervert - G4646 (σκολιός, skolios): Crooked, perverse Usage: The Hebrew verb "avath" primarily conveys the idea of bending or twisting something from its original or intended shape. In a figurative sense, it is often used to describe the act of perverting justice or distorting truth. This word is typically employed in contexts where moral or ethical corruption is being addressed, highlighting the deviation from righteousness or integrity. Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Israelite society, justice and righteousness were foundational to the community's covenant relationship with God. The legal system was designed to reflect God's character, emphasizing fairness and truth. The act of "avath," or perverting justice, was seen as a serious offense against both the community and God. Prophets and leaders frequently condemned such actions, calling the people back to a standard of divine justice. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to be bent or crooked NASB Translation bent (1), cheat (1), crooked (1), defraud (1), pervert (3), stoop (1), subvert (1), thwarts (1), wronged (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [עָוַת] verb be bent, crooked (Late Hebrew id., Pi`el, Nithpa`el; Aramaic עַוֵּית Pa`el; compare , deceive PS3008); — Pi`el Perfect3masculine singular suffix עִוְּתָ֑נִי Job 19:6, עִוְּתוֺ Ecclesiastes 7:13; 3plural suffix עִוְּתוּנִי Psalm 119:78; Imperfect3masculine singular יְעַוֵּת Psalm 146:9; Job 8:3, יְעַוֶּתֿ Job 8:3; Infinitive לְעַוֵּת Amos 8:5; Lamentations 3:22; — 1. a. make crooked = falsify, scales Amos 8:5; pervert justice (מִשְׁמָּט, צֶדֶק) Job 8:3 (twice in verse); Job 34:12 (all God subject); with accusative of person subvert (i.e. deprive of justice), אָדָם בְּרִיבוֺ ׳לְע Lamentations 3:36, compare Psalm 119:78; so עִוְּתָ֑נִי Job 19:6 (׳י subject). 2 bend, make crooked, דֶּרֶךְ רְשָׁעִים Psalm 146:9 (׳י subject); in General Ecclesiastes 7:13 (God subject; opposed to תִּקֵּן). Pu`al Participle מְעֻוָּת Ecclesiastes 1:15 what is bent (opposed to תְּקֹן). Hithpa`el Perfect3plural consecutive וְהִתְעַוְּתוּ Ecclesiastes 12:3 and the strong men bend themselves. Strong's Exhaustive Concordance bow self, make crooked A primitive root; to wrest -- bow self, (make) crooked., falsifying, overthrow, deal perversely, pervert, subvert, turn upside down. Forms and Transliterations וְהִֽתְעַוְּת֖וּ וּלְעַוֵּ֖ת והתעותו ולעות יְעַוֵּ֣ת יְעַוֵּ֥ת יְעַוֵּֽת־ יְעַוֵּֽת׃ יעות יעות־ יעות׃ לְעַוֵּ֤ת לעות מְעֻוָּ֖ת מעות עִוְּת֑וּנִי עִוְּתָ֑נִי עִוְּתֽוֹ׃ עותו׃ עותוני עותני ‘iw·wə·ṯā·nî ‘iw·wə·ṯōw ‘iw·wə·ṯū·nî ‘iwwəṯānî ‘iwwəṯōw ‘iwwəṯūnî ivveTani ivveTo ivveTuni lə‘awwêṯ lə·‘aw·wêṯ leavVet mə‘uwwāṯ mə·‘uw·wāṯ meuvVat ū·lə·‘aw·wêṯ ūlə‘awwêṯ uleavVet vehitavveTu wə·hiṯ·‘aw·wə·ṯū wəhiṯ‘awwəṯū yə‘awwêṯ yə‘awwêṯ- yə·‘aw·wêṯ yə·‘aw·wêṯ- yeavVetLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Job 8:3 HEB: הַ֭אֵל יְעַוֵּ֣ת מִשְׁפָּ֑ט וְאִם־ NAS: Does God pervert justice? Or KJV: Doth God pervert judgment? INT: God pervert adversary does Job 8:3 Job 19:6 Job 34:12 Psalm 119:78 Psalm 146:9 Ecclesiastes 1:15 Ecclesiastes 7:13 Ecclesiastes 12:3 Lamentations 3:36 Amos 8:5 11 Occurrences |