עִקְּשׁוּת (iq.q.shut)
iq.q.shut
crookedness
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The noun iqqeshut denotes a state of distortion or perversity. In the Hebrew Bible it describes moral rigidity that resists correction, often translated as "crookedness" or "stubbornness." It captures a stubborn refusal to align with wisdom or divine instruction, characterizing a heart that is twisted rather than straight.
This word appears only twice in Scripture, both within the Book of Proverbs. In Proverbs 10:31 and 15:26, it contrasts sharply with the speech of the righteous. Where wise words are clear and upright, iqqeshut represents the twisted tongue of the wicked. The term suggests that moral integrity requires a straightness of character, while iqqeshut reflects a fundamental misalignment of the will.
Its root relates to bending or twisting, implying that this crookedness is not merely an error but a deliberate deformation of right conduct. Translators often render it as "crookedness" or "perversity" to convey this active resistance to truth. The scarcity of its usage highlights its severity; it is not a minor flaw but a defining trait of those who reject the path of wisdom.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word iqqeshut describes a twisting or crookedness that goes beyond simple mistakes. It points to a deep-seated stubbornness in speech and character, where a person deliberately distorts truth. This is not merely speaking poorly; it is a heart orientation that resists correction and refuses to align with divine wisdom.
When we encounter this concept in Proverbs, we see it contrasted sharply with the life of the righteous. The text warns us to put away perverse mouths and corrupt lips. It invites us to examine our own words, asking if they build up or if they twist reality for selfish gain. Recognizing this tendency helps us pursue integrity.
Living with straightness means choosing honesty even when it is difficult. It requires humility to accept correction rather than defending a twisted perspective. By seeking God's guidance, we can gradually replace our natural inclination toward distortion with words that reflect truth and grace.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- crookedness of2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- עִקְּשׁ֥וּת1×
- עִקְּשׁ֣וּת1×
Key Verses
-
Proverbs 4:24
Put away from yourself a perverse mouth. Put corrupt lips far from you.
This verse directly commands the removal of a 'perverse mouth,' linking iqqeshut to specific, actionable speech habits that must be actively rejected.
-
Proverbs 6:12
A worthless person, a man of iniquity, is he who walks with a perverse mouth,
Here, the term identifies a 'worthless person' whose defining trait is walking with a perverse mouth, showing how this crookedness characterizes a whole lifestyle of iniquity.