עֲוִיל (a.vil)
a.vil
unjust one
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The noun a.vil describes an unjust or perverse person, appearing only once in the Hebrew Bible at Job 16:11. In this context, it characterizes God as the accuser who has turned against Job, highlighting the profound sense of betrayal and confusion felt by the sufferer.
Derived from a root meaning "iniquity" or "perversion," the word emphasizes moral distortion rather than simple legal guilt. It portrays someone whose actions are twisted out of alignment with justice, creating a relationship defined by unfairness rather than righteousness.
This single usage underscores the intensity of Job’s complaint. By calling the Divine adversary an a.vil, Job does not merely describe a mistake but accuses God of acting with perverse injustice, challenging the traditional understanding of divine fairness in the face of innocent suffering.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word a.vil describes a person whose actions are twisted out of alignment with justice. It appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in Job 16:11. Here, Job uses it to describe God as an unjust accuser. This rare term highlights the deep pain and confusion that come when suffering feels unfair.
When life turns against you, it is natural to question why. Job’s raw honesty shows that faith does not require silence in the face of pain. He brings his confusion directly to God, even using strong language to express his sense of betrayal. This invites us to be honest about our own struggles without losing trust.
God can handle your questions and doubts. You do not need to hide your pain or pretend everything is fine when it is not. Bringing your honest feelings to Him is an act of faith, not a failure. He meets you in your confusion with grace and patience.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- an unjust one1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- עֲוִ֑יל1×
Key Verses
-
Job 16:11
God delivers me to the ungodly, and casts me into the hands of the wicked.
This verse uses the word to describe God as an unjust accuser, highlighting Job's profound sense of betrayal.