רֶ֫שַׁע (re.sah)
re.sah
wickedness
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 21 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The noun reshaʿ denotes a wrong that is fundamentally moral or ethical, often carrying the weight of guilt or iniquity. It describes actions that violate divine standards and civil order, ranging from personal deceit to systemic injustice. The word appears frequently in wisdom literature like Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, where it characterizes the destructive path of those who reject upright living.
A key distinction lies in its contrast with justice (tsedaqah). While justice represents right standing, reshaʿ represents the active force of unrighteousness. This is vividly illustrated in Micah 6:11, where "wicked balances" symbolize fraudulent practices that harm the community. The term also encompasses violence and crime, as seen in Psalm 5:4, where God’s nature is described as having no pleasure with wickedness.
Its root implies a state of being crooked or perverted. Translators often render it as "wickedness" or "iniquity," capturing both the act and its corrupting influence. The sources note that it can refer to specific evil deeds, such as the wealth acquired through fraud in Micah 6:10, highlighting how reshaʿ disrupts social harmony and divine order.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word resha points to actions that twist what is right, creating distance between people and God. It describes more than simple mistakes; it refers to a pattern of behavior that harms community trust and violates divine standards. When we encounter this concept in Scripture, we see how dishonesty and injustice disrupt the peace God desires for His people.
Understanding resha helps us recognize the weight of our choices. In Micah 6:6, God calls us to release the bonds of wickedness by caring for the oppressed rather than performing empty rituals. This word invites us to examine our own lives, seeking integrity in how we treat others and handle resources.
As you reflect on this term, remember that God’s justice is not merely about punishment but about restoration. By turning away from deceit and choosing honesty, we align ourselves with His character. This path leads to a life grounded in truth and favor with God.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 21 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- wickedness12×
- <the>/ wickedness3×
- wickedness/ your1×
- wickedness/ our1×
- wickedness/ its1×
- wickedness/ his1×
- in/ wickedness1×
- from/ wickedness1×
- by/ wickedness1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- רֶ֑שַׁע6×
- רֶֽשַׁע\׃2×
- רֶ֣שַׁע1×
- רֶ֛שַׁע1×
- רֶ֖שַׁע1×
- רֶ֔שַׁע1×
- רִשְׁעֶ֑/ךָ1×
- רִשְׁעֵ֖/נוּ1×
- רִשְׁע֥/וֹ1×
- רִשְׁע֖/וֹ1×
- מֵ/רֶ֗שַׁע1×
- הָ/רָֽשַׁע\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Micah 6:10
Are there yet treasures of wickedness in the house of the wicked, and a short ephah that is accursed?
This verse highlights how wickedness manifests in fraudulent business practices, showing that dishonest gain corrupts the home.
-
Isaiah 58:6
“Isn’t this the fast that I have chosen: to release the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke?
Here God redefines true worship by linking it to releasing those oppressed by wicked systems rather than mere ritual observance.
-
Ecclesiastes 3:16
Moreover I saw under the sun, in the place of justice, that wickedness was there; and in the place of righteousness, that wickedness was there.
This observation acknowledges the painful reality that injustice often exists where justice should be most evident.
-
Psalms 125:3
For the scepter of wickedness won’t remain over the allotment of the righteous, so that the righteous won’t use their hands to do evil.
The promise here assures believers that oppressive wickedness will not permanently dominate the inheritance of the righteous.