עִקֵּשׁ (iq.qesh)
iq.qesh
twisted
H:AQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 10 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:A
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb iqqesh describes a physical or moral twisting that causes a stumble or fall. It appears ten times in the Old Testament, primarily in Proverbs and Psalms, to depict actions that are crooked or perverse. In Proverbs 10:9, for instance, it warns that one who walks with integrity will not stumble, whereas those whose ways are twisted will suddenly fall. The word captures the idea of a distorted path that leads to disaster rather than a straight road.
This term often contrasts with the upright or blameless way of life praised in wisdom literature. In Psalm 18:26, David notes that with the faithful one shows faithfulness, but with the twisted (iqqesh), he shows perversity. The imagery suggests that moral distortion is not just an abstract flaw but a practical obstacle that causes people to trip over their own deceit. It highlights how ethical integrity provides stability, while crookedness leads to collapse.
Translators usually render iqqesh as "twisted," "crooked," or "perverse" depending on the context. The word’s force lies in its connection to falling; it is not merely about being different, but about being misaligned with truth. This usage reinforces the biblical emphasis on honesty and straight dealing as foundations for a secure life.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word iqqesh describes a twisting or crookedness that leads to stumbling. It appears in Proverbs and Psalms to warn against moral distortion. When our paths are twisted by deceit, we risk falling into trouble. This imagery reminds us that integrity provides stability, while crookedness causes collapse.
In Psalm 18:26, David notes that God meets the twisted with shrewdness. This suggests that divine justice responds to perverse actions. Yet Proverbs 8:8 offers hope: the words of wisdom are never crooked. They remain straight and true.
Walking in integrity means avoiding the snares found in the path of the wicked (Proverbs 22:5). By choosing honesty, we stay far from these traps. This simple choice protects our souls and keeps us aligned with truth.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 10 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- perverse2×
- a perverse [person]2×
- perverse [people] of1×
- more than/ [the] [person] perverse of1×
- more than/ [the] [person] perverse1×
- and/ a distorted [thing]1×
- [are] twisted1×
- [a person] twisted of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- עִקֵּ֖שׁ2×
- מֵ/עִקֵּ֥שׁ2×
- עִקֶּשׁ\־1×
- עִקֵּ֑שׁ1×
- עִקְּשֵׁי\־1×
- עִקְּשִׁ֑ים1×
- עִ֭קֵּשׁ1×
- וְ/עִקֵּֽשׁ\׃1×
Key Verses
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Deuteronomy 32:5
They have dealt corruptly with him. They are not his children, because of their defect. They are a perverse and crooked generation.
This verse uses the word to describe a 'perverse and crooked generation,' highlighting how collective moral twisting leads to corruption.
-
Psalms 101:4
A perverse heart will be far from me. I will have nothing to do with evil.
David declares that a perverse heart must be kept far from him, showing personal rejection of twisted ways.
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Proverbs 8:8
All the words of my mouth are in righteousness. There is nothing crooked or perverse in them.
Wisdom speaks here to show that her words are never crooked, contrasting divine truth with human perversity.
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Proverbs 11:20
Those who are perverse in heart are an abomination to Yahweh, but those whose ways are blameless are his delight.
This verse states that those with a perverse heart are an abomination to Yahweh, emphasizing God's view of moral distortion.
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Proverbs 28:6
Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in his ways, and he is rich.
It contrasts the poor who walk in integrity with the rich who are perverse in ways, showing that character matters more than wealth.