a primitive root; (compare לָוָה, לוּט and לוּן); to turn aside , i.e. (literally) to depart, (figuratively) be perverse; depart, froward, perverse(-ness).
Transliteration:lûwz
Pronunciation:looz
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew root `{{H3868}}` (לוּז, *lûwz*) is a primitive root whose core meaning revolves around the concept of "turning aside" or "deviating." Literally, it can imply a physical departure or a bending from a straight course. Figuratively, and more commonly in its biblical usage, it denotes moral or spiritual perversion, crookedness, and frowardness. The base definition explicitly states "to turn aside, i.e. (literally) to depart, (figuratively) be perverse." This semantic range highlights a movement away from a normative or righteous path. The comparison to related roots like `{{H3867}}` (לָוָה, to twine, join, or to lend/borrow, implying a turning or transfer), `{{H3874}}` (לוּט, to wrap, envelop), and `{{H3885}}` (לוּן, to lodge, murmur) further suggests a nuanced sense of bending, twisting, or deviating from a direct line or expected state.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The root `{{H3868}}` appears sparingly in the Hebrew Bible, primarily within the book of Proverbs, where its usage consistently emphasizes moral deviation and the consequences thereof.
1. **[[Proverbs 2:15]]**: "Whose ways are crooked, and they are devious in their paths." Here, the participle form וְנִלְוָזִים (*wᵉnilwazim*) describes those who pursue evil. The context is a warning against the "way of evil" and "perverse speech," contrasting it with walking in the paths of uprightness. The "deviousness" refers to a moral and ethical bending away from what is right and true, often associated with deceit and unreliability.
2. **[[Proverbs 3:32]]**: "For the devious person is an abomination to the LORD, but he is intimate with the upright." The noun form נָלוֹז (*naloz*), here translated as "devious person" or "froward," clearly denotes someone whose character and actions are morally twisted or perverse. This verse underscores the severe theological implication of such behavior: it is an "abomination" (תּוֹעֲבַת, *to'evat*) to Yahweh, standing in stark contrast to the upright with whom God shares His "secret" or "intimacy" (סוֹדוֹ, *sodo*).
3. **[[Proverbs 4:24]]**: "Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you." This verse uses the noun form וּלְזוּת (*u'luzut*), referring to "perverseness" or "crookedness" of speech. It is paralleled with עִקְּשׁוּת פֶּה (*'iqshut peh*), "crookedness of mouth," reinforcing the idea of speech that is not straightforward, truthful, or sincere, but rather deceptive, misleading, or morally twisted. The instruction is to actively remove such speech from one's life, highlighting the importance of integrity in communication.
Across these occurrences, `{{H3868}}` consistently describes a moral or ethical crookedness, a deviation from the path of righteousness, whether in one's actions, character, or speech. It is presented as a negative attribute, antithetical to wisdom and the divine will.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of `{{H3868}}` intersects with several other Hebrew terms and theological concepts:
* **`{{H6140}}` (עִקֵּשׁ, *'iqesh*)**: Often translated as "crooked" or "perverse," this word is frequently found in parallel with `{{H3868}}` in Proverbs, as seen in [[Proverbs 4:24]]. Both terms describe a deviation from a straight path, applying to actions, character, or speech.
* **`{{H2015}}` (הָפַךְ, *haphak*)**: While primarily meaning "to turn, overturn, overthrow," this verb can also imply a moral turning or perversion, as in "turning things upside down."
* **`{{H7725}}` (שׁוּב, *shuv*)**: "To turn back, return." This is a broad term that can describe a positive turning (repentance) or a negative turning away from God. `{{H3868}}` describes the nature of the negative turn.
* **`{{H6586}}` (פָּשַׁע, *pasha'*)**: "To transgress, rebel." This word describes a more overt act of rebellion, whereas `{{H3868}}` focuses on the inherent crookedness or perversion of character that leads to such acts.
* **`{{H2002}}` (הָלַךְ, *halak*)**: "To walk." This common verb is often used metaphorically for one's way of life or conduct. `{{H3868}}` describes those who "walk" in a crooked or perverse manner, contrasting with walking in God's ways.
The concept of "turning aside" is fundamental to biblical ethics, distinguishing between the "straight path" of righteousness and the "crooked paths" of wickedness.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H3868}}` is profound, particularly within the wisdom literature. It speaks directly to the nature of sin as a deviation from God's intended design for humanity.
1. **Divine Standard of Uprightness**: The very existence of a word for "perversion" implies a divine standard of "straightness" or "uprightness." God's character is righteous and true, and He calls His people to reflect that integrity. To "turn aside" (`{{H3868}}`) is to depart from this divine standard.
2. **Abomination to Yahweh**: The declaration in [[Proverbs 3:32]] that the "devious person is an abomination to the LORD" is a powerful theological statement. It signifies that perversity is not merely a human failing but something actively detested by God. This highlights the holiness of God and His intolerance for moral corruption.
3. **Moral Choice and Consequences**: The frequent appearance of `{{H3868}}` in Proverbs underscores that "turning aside" is a deliberate moral choice. It is not an accidental stumble but a chosen path of deviation. The book of Proverbs consistently presents life as a choice between two paths: the path of wisdom and righteousness, and the path of folly and perversion. Choosing the latter leads to alienation from God and negative consequences.
4. **Integrity of Speech**: The application of `{{H3868}}` to "speech" in [[Proverbs 4:24]] emphasizes the importance of truthfulness and integrity in communication. God values straightforward, honest speech, and perverted talk is antithetical to His character and His desire for transparent relationships.
5. **Contrast with Wisdom**: Throughout Proverbs, the "perverse" (נָלוֹז) are contrasted with the "upright" (יְשָׁרִים) and the "wise." Wisdom guides one to straight paths, while folly leads to crooked ways. Thus, understanding `{{H3868}}` is crucial for grasping the ethical framework of wisdom literature, which calls for adherence to God's ways and a rejection of all forms of moral deviation.
### Summary
The Hebrew root `{{H3868}}` (לוּז, *lûwz*) fundamentally signifies "to turn aside" or "to deviate." While it can denote a literal departure, its primary biblical use, especially in the book of Proverbs, is figurative, describing moral and ethical perversion or crookedness. Occurrences in [[Proverbs 2:15]], [[Proverbs 3:32]], and [[Proverbs 4:24]] consistently depict individuals whose ways, character, or speech are twisted and depart from righteousness. This "deviousness" is explicitly stated to be an "abomination to the LORD," underscoring the divine standard of uprightness and the severe theological implications of moral deviation. The word stands in stark contrast to the "straight paths" advocated by wisdom and highlights the importance of integrity, truthfulness, and adherence to God's righteous ways.
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