The Hebrew word ʻiqqᵉshûwth, represented by H6143, denotes perversity. It is a rare term, appearing only 2 times in 2 unique verses. Its usage points specifically to a crookedness or corruption expressed through speech, with the base definition including the idiom "froward."
In its biblical occurrences, H6143 is used to characterize corrupt speech that originates from a corrupt person. Proverbs 6:12 describes a "naughty person" and "wicked man" as one who "walketh with a froward mouth." This links the quality of perversity directly to the character of the individual. Similarly, Proverbs 4:24 issues a command to "Put away from thee a froward mouth," treating it as a moral failing that must be actively rejected. In both cases, the word is associated with the mouth, emphasizing that this perversity is an outward expression.
Several related words help clarify the meaning and context of H6143:
- H6310 peh (mouth): This word is directly modified by ʻiqqᵉshûwth in both of its appearances (Proverbs 4:24, Proverbs 6:12). Defined as "the mouth... whether literal or figurative (particularly speech)," it shows that this perversity is a matter of corrupt communication.
- H3891 lᵉzûwth (perverseness): Used in parallel with ʻiqqᵉshûwth in Proverbs 4:24, this term for perverseness reinforces the theme of twisted or corrupt speech that one must put far away.
- H1100 bᵉlîyaʻal (naughty): This describes the type of person who has a froward mouth in Proverbs 6:12. Its definition, "without profit, worthlessness; by extension, destruction, wickedness," establishes that a froward mouth is a key identifier of a worthless or ungodly person.
- H120 ʼâdâm (person): In Proverbs 6:12, this word for person is used to identify the "naughty person" who possesses a froward mouth, tying the corrupt speech to a human being's fundamental character.
The theological weight of H6143 lies in its direct connection between internal character and external speech.
- Speech as a Moral Indicator: The use of ʻiqqᵉshûwth shows that a "froward mouth" is not a minor flaw but a primary sign of a "naughty person" and a "wicked man" Proverbs 6:12.
- The Command for Purity: The instruction to "put away" a froward mouth in Proverbs 4:24 presents purity of speech as a divine command and a necessary component of wisdom.
- Association with Wickedness: By appearing alongside terms for "wicked" H205 and "naughty" H1100, ʻiqqᵉshûwth frames perverse speech as an element of a lifestyle that is contrary to God.
In summary, H6143 is a specific and potent term for the perversity that manifests through speech. Though used only twice, it powerfully illustrates the biblical principle that a person's words are a direct reflection of their heart. It defines the "froward mouth" as a characteristic of the wicked Proverbs 6:12 and as something that the wise must decisively reject Proverbs 4:24, highlighting the importance of pure communication in a righteous life.
TRV