עָ֫וֶל (e.vel)
e.vel
injustice
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 37 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun evel refers to injustice or unrighteousness, encompassing a broad spectrum of wrongful acts. It describes violent deeds that harm others, as well as falsehoods spoken through deceitful words. The term captures the general state of moral wrongness that disrupts social and divine order.
This word appears frequently in the books of Job, Psalms, and Zephaniah, often highlighting the tension between human suffering and God’s justice. Translators typically render it as "injustice" or "wrong," reflecting its concrete nature as an act that violates fairness. The sources distinguish it from simple error by emphasizing its active, harmful character against others.
Its usage in Zephaniah underscores the prophetic concern for societal corruption, while Job uses it to question why the righteous suffer under unjust systems. This lexical entry provides a clear window into how ancient Hebrew thought categorized moral failure not just as internal guilt, but as external harm inflicted upon the community and creation.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word evel describes injustice as a tangible force that disrupts both community and personal peace. It is not merely a mistake or a misunderstanding, but an active violation of fairness that harms others. When we encounter this concept in Scripture, we see God’s heart for integrity and His deep concern for those who are vulnerable to exploitation.
For your daily life, this word invites you to examine how you treat people with less power or influence. It challenges the temptation to show favoritism or to remain silent when wrong occurs. Instead of seeking revenge against those who act unjustly, Scripture points us toward a higher standard: trusting that God sees every hidden wrong and will ultimately set things right.
This assurance brings profound comfort. You do not have to carry the burden of fixing every broken situation yourself. By choosing honesty and fairness in your own interactions, you participate in the restoration of order. The hope lies in knowing that justice belongs to the Lord, who judges with perfect righteousness and cares deeply for your well-being.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 37 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- injustice19×
- unrighteousness6×
- with/ injustice2×
- and/ injustice2×
- [is] injustice2×
- in/ injustice1×
- from/ unrighteousness1×
- by/ injustice1×
- and/ unrighteousness1×
- <of> unrighteousness1×
- <of> injustice1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- עַוְלָ֑ה6×
- עַוְלָֽה\׃5×
- עַוְלָה֙3×
- עָ֔וֶל2×
- עָ֑וֶל2×
- עַ֝וְלָ֗ה2×
- בְּ/עַוְלָֽה\׃2×
- עָֽוֶל\׃\ \פ1×
- עָ֥וֶל1×
- עָ֙וֶל֙1×
- עָ֖וֶל1×
- עַוְלָ֥תָה1×
Key Verses
-
Leviticus 19:15
“‘You shall do no injustice in judgment. You shall not be partial to the poor, nor show favoritism to the great; but you shall judge your neighbor in righteousness.
This verse grounds the concept of injustice in legal fairness, explicitly forbidding partiality toward either the poor or the powerful.
-
Psalms 37:1
By David. Don’t fret because of evildoers, neither be envious against those who work unrighteousness.
David uses this term to warn against emotional turmoil caused by comparing oneself to those who thrive through unfair means.
-
Job 6:29
Please return. Let there be no injustice. Yes, return again. My cause is righteous.
Job pleads for his friends to stop accusing him falsely, asking that no injustice remain in their conversation with him.
-
Deuteronomy 32:4
The Rock: his work is perfect, for all his ways are just. A God of faithfulness who does no wrong, just and right is he.
The poet contrasts human injustice with God’s character, declaring that the Rock of Israel does no wrong and is perfectly just.