The Hebrew word muṭṭeh, represented by H4297, refers to perverseness. It appears only 1 time in 1 unique verse in the Bible. The term is defined as a stretching or distortion, used figuratively to describe iniquity.
The sole appearance of H4297 is in Ezekiel 9:9, where it describes the profound moral decay of the city. The verse states that "the city [is] full of perverseness" as part of a larger indictment that includes the land being "full of blood." This state of corruption is linked to the people's belief that God has abandoned them and does not see their actions, as they say, "The LORD hath forsaken the earth, and the LORD seeth not."
Several related words from its context help illuminate its meaning:
- H5771 ʻâvôn (perversity, i.e. (moral) evil; fault, iniquity, mischeif, punishment (of iniquity), sin): This word for iniquity is used in the same verse as H4297 to describe the moral condition of Israel and Judah Ezekiel 9:9. It represents the broader category of moral evil, for which perverseness is a specific expression.
- H4390 mâlêʼ (to fill or (intransitively) be full of): This verb is used to quantify the extent of the perverseness in Ezekiel 9:9, where the city is described as "full of" it. This same word is used elsewhere to describe the earth being filled with the knowledge of God's glory, providing a stark contrast Habakkuk 2:14.
The theological weight of H4297 is concentrated in its single use.
- Moral Distortion: The base definition of H4297 as a "stretching" or "distortion" points to a deliberate twisting of justice and righteousness. It is not merely sin, but a fundamental perversion of the moral order.
- A Symptom of Judgment: The presence of perverseness in Ezekiel 9:9 is part of the divine indictment against the city. Its condition as being "full" of this distortion serves as the justification for the judgment that follows.
- The Consequence of Rejecting God: The text explicitly links this perverseness to the people's claim that "The LORD hath forsaken the earth, and the LORD seeth not" Ezekiel 9:9. The term therefore illustrates the societal decay that occurs when a people believes they are no longer accountable to God.
In summary, while H4297 appears only once, its meaning is sharp and significant. It defines perverseness not just as wrongdoing, but as an active distortion of what is right. Its use in Ezekiel 9:9, where a city is "full" of it, connects this moral decay directly to the people's belief that they are outside of God's sight and authority. It is a potent term illustrating the state of a society ripe for judgment.
TRV