### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term עֲוִיל (ʻăvîyl, `{{H5760}}`) is a masculine noun derived from the verbal root עָוַל (ʻaval, `{{H5765}}`), which signifies "to act unjustly," "to deal perversely," or "to distort justice." Consequently, ʻăvîyl describes a person characterized by profound moral perversion, wickedness, and ungodliness. Its semantic range encompasses the idea of being morally twisted, deviating from what is inherently right, just, or upright in God's eyes. It implies a deep-seated corruption of character rather than a mere error, suggesting a deliberate turning away from divine standards and a fundamental opposition to righteousness.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term ʻăvîyl appears exclusively in the book of Job, consistently denoting individuals who are morally corrupt or ungodly. Its limited but impactful usage provides significant insight into its meaning:
* **[[Job 16:11]]**: "God has delivered me to the ungodly, and cast me into the hands of the wicked." Here, Job laments his suffering, perceiving himself as abandoned by God and subjected to the cruelty of ʻăvîyl individuals. The parallelism with "the wicked" (רָשָׁע, `{{H7563}}`) reinforces the idea of moral depravity and oppressive behavior.
* **[[Job 18:21]]**: "Surely such are the dwellings of the unrighteous, and this is the place of him that knoweth not God." In Bildad's speech concerning the fate of the wicked, ʻăvîyl is used to describe the "unrighteous." The phrase "him that knoweth not God" further clarifies that this perversion is rooted in a fundamental ignorance or rejection of the divine.
* **[[Job 34:18]]**: "Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked? and to princes, Ye are ungodly?" Elihu uses ʻăvîyl in a rhetorical question, emphasizing the impropriety of leveling such a severe accusation even against human rulers, let alone against God. This highlights the gravity of the term, implying a profound moral offense.
* **[[Job 34:36]]**: "My desire is that Job may be tried unto the end because of his answers for wicked men." Elihu criticizes Job for speaking in a manner that aligns him with ʻăvîyl individuals, implying that Job's arguments resonate with the perverse and ungodly. This usage underscores that ʻăvîyl can describe not only character but also the nature of one's words or actions.
Across these occurrences, ʻăvîyl consistently points to a state of moral corruption, unrighteousness, and a fundamental opposition to divine order or justice, often appearing in contexts describing the fate or character of those estranged from God.
### Related Words & Concepts
The term ʻăvîyl is intrinsically linked to its root and related lexical forms, as well as broader theological concepts:
* **Root:** עָוַל (ʻaval, `{{H5765}}`), the verbal root meaning "to act perversely," "to commit injustice." This forms the core semantic foundation for ʻăvîyl.
* **Related Nouns:**
* עָוֶל (ʻavel, `{{H5766}}`) and עַוְלָה (ʻavlah, `{{H5766}}`): These nouns, derived from the same root, denote "iniquity," "perverseness," or "injustice." While ʻavel/ʻavlah refer to the quality or act of perversion, ʻăvîyl describes the *person* who embodies this quality.
* **Synonyms/Parallel Terms:**
* רָשָׁע (rasha, `{{H7563}}`): "wicked," "guilty." Often appears in parallel with ʻăvîyl, highlighting a shared semantic field of moral corruption.
* בֶּלִיַעַל (beliya'al, `{{H1100}}`): "worthless," "ungodly," "scoundrel." Shares the concept of moral depravity and opposition to God.
* **Antonyms:**
* צַדִּיק (tzaddiq, `{{H6662}}`): "righteous," "just."
* יָשָׁר (yashar, `{{H3477}}`): "upright," "straight." These terms represent the diametric opposite of perversion and ungodliness.
* **Concepts:** Injustice, moral corruption, godlessness, rebellion against divine standards, spiritual blindness, and a profound alienation from righteousness.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of ʻăvîyl lies in its stark portrayal of a profound moral deviation from God's established order and righteousness. It signifies not merely a mistake or an error, but a deep-seated perversion of character that actively opposes divine truth and justice. In the book of Job, where it exclusively appears, ʻăvîyl is crucial for understanding the nature of the "wicked" whose prosperity Job questions and whose ultimate demise is affirmed by his friends and Elihu. It underscores the theological conviction that true perversion leads to spiritual estrangement and ultimately, divine judgment.
The term highlights God's absolute righteousness and the stark contrast between His holy character and the ʻăvîyl. Elihu's argument in [[Job 34:10]] that "far be it from God to do wickedness, and from the Almighty to do wrong" (using עָוֶל, `{{H5766}}`) implicitly asserts that God cannot be ʻăvîyl. The existence and fate of the ʻăvîyl contribute to the biblical anthropology that distinguishes sharply between the righteous and the perverse, each destined for different outcomes based on their moral alignment with God. Thus, ʻăvîyl serves as a powerful descriptor of human depravity in its most severe form.
### Summary
The Hebrew term ʻăvîyl (`{{H5760}}`) designates an individual characterized by profound moral perversion and ungodliness, derived from the root עָוַל (ʻaval, `{{H5765}}`), meaning "to act unjustly" or "to distort." Its exclusive use in the book of Job consistently describes persons whose character is morally twisted, unrighteous, and fundamentally opposed to divine standards. Occurrences in [[Job 16:11]], [[Job 18:21]], [[Job 34:18]], and [[Job 34:36]] illustrate its application to those who are wicked, ignorant of God, or whose words align with perversity. It is semantically linked to terms like עָוֶל (iniquity) and often appears in parallel with רָשָׁע (wicked). Theologically, ʻăvîyl underscores the severe nature of moral deviation from God's righteousness, portraying a state of active corruption that leads to spiritual estrangement and ultimately, judgment. It serves to highlight the absolute holiness of God in contrast to human depravity, emphasizing the stark divide between those who walk in righteousness and those who embody perversion.
TRV