(Aramaic) from a root corresponding to עָוָה; perverseness; iniquity.
Transliteration:ʻivyâʼ
Pronunciation:iv-yaw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Aramaic word `{{H5758}}` (ʻivyâʼ), transliterated as ʻivyâʼ, is derived from a root corresponding to the Hebrew `{{H5753}}` (עָוָה, ʻavah). This root fundamentally conveys the idea of "bending," "twisting," or "distorting." Therefore, `{{H5758}}` carries the core meaning of "perverseness" or "iniquity." It describes a state of moral crookedness, a deviation from what is straight, right, or just. Unlike terms that might imply an accidental misstep, `{{H5758}}` suggests a deliberate turning away from the path of righteousness, embodying a distorted moral character or action. It signifies a profound moral twisting that is inherently contrary to divine order.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
As an Aramaic term, `{{H5758}}` has a limited but significant occurrence within the biblical text, appearing only once in the book of Daniel.
* **[[Daniel 4:27]]**: In this pivotal passage, Daniel advises King Nebuchadnezzar concerning his dream and the impending divine judgment. Daniel exhorts the king, saying, "Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you; break off your sins by being righteous, and your iniquities (`{{H5758}}`) by showing mercy to the poor; perhaps there may be a lengthening of your tranquility."
In this context, `{{H5758}}` (ʻivyâʼ) is used in parallel with "sins" (חֲטָיִן, chatayin, `{{H2403}}`), emphasizing the king's accumulated wrongdoing and the moral corruption of his reign. The term here highlights the deep-seated nature of Nebuchadnezzar's offenses, portraying them not merely as isolated acts but as a pervasive state of moral perversion. Daniel's counsel to "break off" (פְּרוֹק, pəroq) these `{{H5758}}` implies that they are a heavy burden or a binding force from which the king must actively liberate himself. The prescribed remedy—righteousness and mercy to the poor—directly counters the perversity and injustice inherent in the king's `{{H5758}}`, demonstrating that true repentance involves a practical and tangible turning away from crooked ways towards God's standards of justice and compassion.
### Related Words & Concepts
The Aramaic `{{H5758}}` is intimately connected to a family of Hebrew words derived from the root `{{H5753}}` (עָוָה, ʻavah), which means "to bend, twist, distort, commit iniquity."
* **`{{H5771}}` (עָווֹן, ʻawon)**: This is the most common Hebrew noun related to `{{H5758}}`, meaning "iniquity, guilt, punishment for iniquity." Like `{{H5758}}`, `{{H5771}}` often emphasizes the perversity or moral crookedness of sin, as well as the burden of guilt it incurs and the punishment it justly deserves.
* **`{{H5766}}` (עָוֶל, ʻavel) / `{{H5767}}` (עַוְלָה, ʻavlah)**: These Hebrew nouns denote "injustice, unrighteousness, perversity." They likewise underscore a deviation from what is straight or right, highlighting the inherent wrongness and distortion in a moral sense.
* **Semantic Overlap**: While `{{H5758}}` and its Hebrew cognates focus on the *perverse character* of sin, they frequently appear alongside other terms for sin, such as `{{H2403}}` (חַטָּאָה, chatta'ah, "sin, missing the mark") and `{{H6588}}` (פֶּשַׁע, peshaʻ, "transgression, rebellion"). This rich vocabulary for sin in the biblical text allows for nuanced understanding, with `{{H5758}}` specifically highlighting the twisted, distorted nature of human rebellion against God's righteous standards.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H5758}}` lies in its portrayal of sin as a fundamental distortion of God's intended order and righteousness. It is not merely a mistake or an isolated act, but a deep-seated moral perversion that twists character and conduct.
* **Nature of Sin**: `{{H5758}}` underscores that sin is an active choice to deviate from the divine path, reflecting a moral crookedness that is offensive to a holy God. It highlights human culpability and the deliberate turning away from truth and justice.
* **Divine Judgment and Repentance**: In [[Daniel 4:27]], the word appears in the context of divine judgment upon a powerful, unrighteous ruler. This demonstrates that God's moral standard applies universally, and even pagan kings are held accountable for their `{{H5758}}`. The call to "break off" this iniquity signifies that true repentance requires a radical transformation, a turning from perverse ways towards righteousness and mercy. This transformation is presented as the only path to avert or mitigate divine wrath.
* **God's Grace and Justice**: The offer of "lengthening of your tranquility" upon repentance reveals God's gracious willingness to extend mercy and restoration even to those deeply entrenched in sin, provided they genuinely turn from their `{{H5758}}`. Yet, it simultaneously upholds God's justice, as the king's continued perversity would inevitably lead to severe consequences.
### Summary
The Aramaic word `{{H5758}}` (ʻivyâʼ) precisely conveys the concept of "perverseness" or "iniquity," stemming from a root that signifies twisting or distorting. Its singular appearance in [[Daniel 4:27]] is profoundly illustrative, where it describes the morally twisted and accumulated sins of King Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel's urgent counsel for the king to "break off" his `{{H5758}}` by embracing righteousness and mercy highlights the destructive nature of such iniquity and the imperative for radical repentance. Theologically, `{{H5758}}` emphasizes that sin is a deep-seated moral distortion, a deliberate turning away from God's straight path. It underscores both human culpability in choosing such perversity and God's unwavering demand for justice, coupled with His gracious invitation to turn from crooked ways towards genuine restoration and peace. The term resonates deeply with its Hebrew cognates, particularly `{{H5771}}` (ʻawon), reinforcing the biblical understanding of sin as a pervasive moral corruption that necessitates divine intervention and a profound change of heart and action.
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