פְּתַלְתֹּל (pe.tal.tol)
pe.tal.tol
twisted
H:AQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:A
Word Overview
The Hebrew adjective petaltol describes something that is twisted or tortuous. It appears only once in the Old Testament, in Deuteronomy 32:5, within Moses’ song recounting Israel’s history. The word paints a vivid picture of distortion, suggesting a shape that has been bent out of its proper form.
In this specific context, it characterizes a perverse or crooked generation. The term implies more than just physical twisting; it points to moral and spiritual deviation. By using this image, the text highlights how far Israel had strayed from the straight path of covenant faithfulness, becoming distorted in their relationship with God.
The rarity of the word makes its single occurrence particularly striking. It serves as a sharp contrast to the uprightness expected of God’s people. The choice of such a specific term for "twisted" underscores the seriousness of their corruption, marking them as fundamentally misshapen in character and conduct.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word petaltol paints a striking picture of something bent out of shape. In Deuteronomy 32:5, it describes a generation that has become morally twisted and crooked. This is not just about physical form but about the distortion of character and faithfulness to God.
When we feel far from God, this word reminds us that our natural tendency can be to drift into crookedness. It highlights how serious spiritual deviation is. Yet, by naming this distortion, Scripture also points to the straight path we are called to walk. It invites us to examine our own hearts and seek alignment with God’s uprightness.
This rare word challenges us to live with integrity. It encourages a life that is not bent by compromise but stands firm in truth. May we find strength in God’s grace to walk straight before Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ crooked1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וּ/פְתַלְתֹּֽל\׃1×
Key Verses
-
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 petaltol to sharply contrast the crookedness of Israel’s generation with the uprightness expected of God’s people.