עֲקַלְקַל (a.qal.qal)
a.qal.qal
crooked
H:AQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:A
Word Overview
The Hebrew word aqalqal describes something that is winding, devious, or physically crooked. Its reduplicated structure intensifies the root meaning, suggesting a path that twists repeatedly rather than one that is merely bent. This linguistic emphasis conveys a sense of instability or moral deviation, marking a route that refuses to go straight.
Scripture applies this term to both physical terrain and human character. In Judges 5:6, it depicts the roads as "crooked" during a time of chaos, illustrating how social order collapses when paths become unsafe and unpredictable. The word carries a negative theological weight, contrasting sharply with the straight, upright way associated with righteousness.
Translators typically render this term as "crooked" or "devious," capturing its dual sense of physical irregularity and ethical wrongness. By using a word that implies twisting and turning, the biblical authors highlight the danger of paths that lead away from direct obedience to God’s will.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word aqalqal paints a vivid picture of winding, unstable ground. Its repeated syllables emphasize a path that twists repeatedly rather than simply bending once. This linguistic choice highlights not just physical irregularity but also moral deviation, marking routes that refuse to go straight toward God’s will.
In Judges 5:6, this term describes highways as unusable during times of chaos, illustrating how social order collapses when paths become unsafe. Similarly, Psalms 125:5 warns against those who turn away to crooked ways, promising that Yahweh leads them with workers of iniquity. These verses remind us that integrity requires walking straight paths.
For your faith journey, this word invites reflection on the direction of your steps. Are you navigating life’s challenges with honesty and directness, or are you taking detours that lead away from peace? Trusting God means choosing clarity over confusion, even when the road ahead seems uncertain.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- twisting [ways]/ their1×
- twisting1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- עַֽקַלְקַלּוֹתָ֗/ם1×
- עֲקַלְקַלּֽוֹת\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Judges 5:6
“In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were unoccupied. The travelers walked through byways.
This occurrence uses aqalqal to describe highways becoming unusable during chaos, illustrating how social order collapses when paths become unsafe.
-
Psalms 125:5
But as for those who turn away to their crooked ways, Yahweh will lead them away with the workers of iniquity. Peace be on Israel.
Here the word warns against those who turn away to crooked ways, promising that Yahweh leads them with workers of iniquity.