### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
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.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
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."
### Related Words & Concepts
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]].
### Theological Significance
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.
### Summary
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