רִשְׁעָה (rish.ah)
rish.ah
wickedness
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 8 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun rish`ah denotes wickedness, often carrying the specific sense of guilt or the consequences of sin. It appears in eighty-eight occurrences across the Old Testament, with notable usage in Deuteronomy, Proverbs, and Malachi. The term encompasses both ethical corruption and religious rebellion, describing actions that violate covenant loyalty to God.
In civil contexts, it refers to wrongful acts against others, while in prophetic literature like Malachi, it highlights the moral failure of Israel’s leaders. The word bridges personal guilt and communal sin, emphasizing that wickedness is not merely an abstract concept but a tangible burden with real repercussions. Translators typically render it as "wickedness" or "guilt," depending on whether the focus is on the act itself or its liability.
Its root relates to turning away from what is right, suggesting a deliberate departure from divine order. This aligns with its frequent pairing in Proverbs, where wickedness is contrasted with righteousness as opposing paths of life. The term underscores the seriousness of sin, portraying it as both a moral failure and a source of accountability before God.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word rish`ah describes more than just a mistake; it points to a deep-seated pattern of turning away from what is right. In the Old Testament, this term often carries the weight of guilt or the tangible consequences that follow actions which violate our loyalty to God. It reminds us that sin is not an abstract idea but a real burden that affects both individuals and communities.
Understanding this helps us see why Scripture contrasts wickedness with righteousness so frequently. As seen in Proverbs, the path of integrity is guarded by right living, while self-destructive choices lead to downfall. This distinction invites us to examine our own hearts, recognizing that true safety comes from aligning our lives with God’s order rather than following our own desires.
When we acknowledge this reality, we find hope in the fact that God sees clearly. He does not ignore moral failure, but His justice is paired with mercy. By turning back to Him, we can leave behind the heavy load of guilt and walk in the freedom that comes from a restored relationship with our Creator.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 8 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- wickedness/ his1×
- wickedness1×
- in/ [the] wickedness of1×
- and/ wickedness1×
- and/ in/ [the] wickedness of1×
- and/ by/ wickedness/ his1×
- [is] <the>/ wickedness1×
- <of> wickedness1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- רִשְׁעָ֔ה2×
- רִשְׁעָת֖/וֹ1×
- וּ֝/בְ/רִשְׁעָת֗/וֹ1×
- וּ/בְ/רִשְׁעַת֙1×
- וְ֝/רִשְׁעָ֗ה1×
- הָ/רִשְׁעָ֔ה1×
- בְּ/רִשְׁעַ֣ת\׀1×
Key Verses
-
Proverbs 11:5
The righteousness of the blameless will direct his way, but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.
This verse highlights how wickedness becomes its own punishment, showing that self-destructive choices naturally lead to downfall without needing external retribution.
-
Deuteronomy 9:5
Not for your righteousness or for the uprightness of your heart do you go in to possess their land; but for the wickedness of these nations Yahweh your God does drive them out from before you, and that he may establish the word which Yahweh swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.
Here the term explains that Israel’s entry into the land was not due to their own moral standing but because of the corruption of other nations, emphasizing God's sovereign justice.
-
Zechariah 5:8
He said, “This is Wickedness;” and he threw her down into the middle of the ephah basket; and he threw the lead weight on its mouth.
In this vision, wickedness is personified as a woman placed in a basket, illustrating how sin is contained and removed from the community through divine judgment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does rish`ah mean in the Bible?
How is rish`ah different from general sin?
Where does this word appear most often?
Every Occurrence (8 verses across 4 books)
Deuteronomy 3 verses
Don’t say in your heart, after Yahweh your God has thrust them out from before you, “For my righteousness Yahweh has…
Deuteronomy 9:5Not for your righteousness or for the uprightness of your heart do you go in to possess their land; but for the…
Deuteronomy 25:2It shall be, if the wicked man is worthy to be beaten, that the judge shall cause him to lie down and to be beaten…