intensive from עָוָה abbreviated; overthrow; [idiom] overturn.
Transliteration:ʻavvâh
Pronunciation:av-vaw'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word H5754 (עַוָּה, ʻavvâh) is defined as an intensive form derived from the root H5753 (עָוָה, ʻāvâh). While H5753 carries the primary sense of "to bend, twist, distort, pervert, or act perversely," H5754 intensifies this notion. Its core meaning extends to "overthrow" or "overturn," suggesting a complete and often violent disruption or reversal of a natural or established order. It implies a state of being radically turned upside down, subverted, or subjected to a profound perversion. This intensity can refer to physical destruction, but more often, especially in its biblical usage, it denotes a grievous moral or legal perversion, a deep injustice that fundamentally distorts what is right or proper. It encapsulates not merely an act of perversion, but the profound state of being wronged or the resulting chaos from such an overturning.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term H5754 (עַוָּה, ʻavvâh) appears only once in the Masoretic Text, in the book of Lamentations:
* **[[Lamentations 3:59]]**: "O Lord, You have seen my wrong; Judge my case!"
In this poignant lament, the word עַוָּה is translated as "my wrong" or "my perversion." The speaker, deeply afflicted and suffering, appeals directly to God, asserting that the Lord has witnessed the injustice or perversion inflicted upon them. Here, עַוָּה does not describe the act of the speaker's own sin or perversion, but rather the *wrong* or *injustice* that has been done *to* them by others. It signifies the state of being unjustly overturned, distorted, or wronged by adversaries. The plea is for divine intervention and judgment to rectify this profound עַוָּה, this perversion of justice experienced by the lamenter. The context emphasizes the victim's perspective, crying out against the moral 'overthrow' of their circumstances.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most direct and significant related word is the root from which H5754 derives:
* H5753 (עָוָה, ʻāvâh): This verb means "to bend, twist, distort, pervert, act perversely." It frequently describes moral deviation, the twisting of justice, or the perversion of truth. H5754 serves as an intensive noun form, highlighting the *result* or *state* of such perversion or overturning.
Other related concepts and words that illuminate the semantic field of H5754 include:
* `{{H2015}}` (הָפַךְ, hāphak): To turn, overturn, overthrow. This verb is often used for the physical destruction of cities (e.g., Sodom and Gomorrah) or the turning of circumstances. While H5754 can imply overthrow, its emphasis in Lamentations leans towards the *moral* or *experiential* perversion rather than purely physical destruction.
* `{{H5766}}` (עָווֹן, ʻāvôn): Iniquity, guilt, punishment for iniquity. This noun is very common and also derives from the root H5753 (or a related root). H5766 often refers to moral crookedness or perversion, and the guilt or consequence associated with it. H5754 in Lamentations 3:59, while denoting "wrong," points more specifically to the *injustice inflicted upon* the speaker, which is a particular form of H5766 experienced as a victim.
* `{{H2555}}` (חָמָס, chāmās): Violence, wrong. This term denotes active violence or injustice, often with an element of oppression. The עַוָּה experienced by the lamenter is a consequence of such חָמָס.
* `{{H4646}}` (מַעֲוֶה, maʻăweh): Perversion, distortion. Also from the same root, this noun describes a crooked or perverse thing.
### Theological Significance
The singular occurrence of H5754 in [[Lamentations 3:59]] carries significant theological weight, particularly concerning divine justice and human suffering.
1. **Divine Witness to Injustice**: The lamenter's cry, "You have seen my wrong (עַוָּה)," underscores the theological conviction that God is not a distant, unseeing deity. He is intimately aware of the injustices, the "overturning" of right, and the perversions inflicted upon His people. This provides comfort and hope amidst profound suffering, affirming God's omniscience and His active engagement with human experience.
2. **Appeal for Divine Judgment**: The subsequent plea, "Judge my case!" (שָׁפְטָה מִשְׁפָּטִי), directly connects עַוָּה to the need for divine rectification. It highlights the belief that God is the ultimate arbiter of justice, the one who will set right what has been twisted and overturned by human wickedness. The עַוָּה represents a profound disruption of the righteous order, necessitating God's intervention to restore balance and equity.
3. **The Nature of Suffering**: For the lamenter, עַוָּה is not merely misfortune but a deep, personal injury—a perversion of their rightful state. It speaks to the theological problem of innocent suffering and the human cry for vindication when subjected to unmerited hardship. The word encapsulates the feeling of being fundamentally wronged, of having one's life or circumstances unjustly "overthrown."
4. **God's Righteous Character**: By appealing to God to judge this עַוָּה, the lamenter implicitly affirms God's own righteous character. God cannot tolerate עַוָּה because it stands in opposition to His justice and order. His judgment is sought as an expression of His inherent nature.
### Summary
H5754 (עַוָּה, ʻavvâh) is an intensive Hebrew noun derived from the root H5753 (עָוָה), signifying a profound "overthrow" or "perversion." While its base meaning suggests a radical turning upside down, its sole biblical occurrence in [[Lamentations 3:59]] nuances this to refer specifically to the "wrong" or "injustice" inflicted upon an individual. In this context, the word describes the state of being unjustly wronged, a deep perversion of justice experienced by the lamenter, rather than an act of perversion committed by them. Theologically, עַוָּוָה in Lamentations underscores God's awareness of human suffering and injustice, serving as a powerful plea for divine judgment and the restoration of righteousness. It highlights the victim's cry for vindication from a world that has been unjustly "overturned" against them, affirming God as the ultimate judge who sees all עַוָּוָה and will ultimately set all things right.
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