The Hebrew word reshaʻ, represented by H7562, refers to a wrong (especially moral); iniquity, wicked(-ness). Derived from the root רָשַׁע (rashaʻ), it appears 30 times across 29 unique verses in the Bible. It describes a state of moral corruption and active opposition to divine righteousness.
The semantic range of H7562 extends beyond mere moral transgression to encompass a state of legal culpability and condemnation before God. Its verbal root, H7561 (râshaʻ), means "to be wicked," "to act wickedly," or "to be condemned/found guilty." This implies that H7562 is not just an inherent flaw but an active posture that results in a verdict of guilt, making the individual or action subject to divine judgment. Thus, H7562 intrinsically carries the weight of spiritual and often temporal consequences, positioning the râshâʻ (wicked person) as one who stands condemned by righteousness.
In biblical texts, H7562 is frequently contrasted with righteousness. The psalmist declares that God loves righteousness and hates wickedness Psalms 45:7, and that treasures gained by wickedness are worthless compared to righteousness which delivers from death Proverbs 10:2. The term describes a corrupting influence and a choice, as seen when people are described as eating "the bread of wickedness" Proverbs 4:17 or plowing wickedness Hosea 10:13. It is ultimately futile, as scripture states that wickedness cannot deliver those who are given to it Ecclesiastes 8:8, and a person cannot be established by it Proverbs 12:3.
Beyond individual moral choice, H7562 frequently characterizes systemic corruption and active oppression within human society. It describes the perversion of justice, where "the place of judgment, that wickedness was there" Ecclesiastes 3:16, indicating a profound breakdown of equity. Furthermore, H7562 is associated with exploitative practices, such as "treasures of wickedness" and "wicked balances" Micah 6:10, Micah 6:11, revealing an economic dimension of unrighteousness. It can also manifest as aggressive behavior, where people "smite with the fist of wickedness" Isaiah 58:4 or when "violence is risen up into a rod of wickedness" Ezekiel 7:11, highlighting its destructive and coercive nature in interpersonal and societal interactions.
Several related words provide a fuller picture of moral wrong and its consequences:
- H7563 râshâʻ (wicked man): This is the concrete term for a morally wrong or bad person. It is often used to identify the individual who practices H7562, as when Ezekiel is told to warn the wicked man to turn from his wickedness Ezekiel 3:19.
- H7564 rishʻâh (wickedness): The feminine form of H7562, it also means wrong, especially moral wickedness. It is used to describe the moral state of a person, where "the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him" Ezekiel 18:20.
- H5766 ʻevel (iniquity, perverseness): This word for moral evil is used synonymously with H7562. Job declares it is far from God to do wickedness or for the Almighty to commit iniquity Job 34:10.
- H2555 châmâç (violence, wrong): This term is often paired with H7562 to describe the tangible outcomes of a wicked life. Proverbs speaks of those who "eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence" Proverbs 4:17.
- H7561 râshaʻ (to be wicked, condemn): This is the verbal root from which H7562 is derived, signifying the action of being or acting wickedly, or being found guilty. It emphasizes the active choice and subsequent legal status of wickedness.
The theological weight of H7562 is significant, highlighting the nature of sin and its incompatibility with God.
- Opposition to God's Nature: God is defined as one who has no pleasure in wickedness Psalms 5:4. It is presented as the antithesis of His character and something He actively hates Psalms 45:7.
- A Foundational Human Problem: The Israelites confess their wickedness and the iniquity of their fathers to the Lord Jeremiah 14:20. God instructs Moses to overlook the people's stubbornness and their wickedness Deuteronomy 9:27, identifying it as a core issue.
- Source of Injustice: It is found in the place of judgment and righteousness, corrupting human systems Ecclesiastes 3:16. Isaiah calls for fasting that breaks "the bands of wickedness" and lets the oppressed go free Isaiah 58:6.
- A Temporary State: The "rod of the wicked" is not permitted to rest permanently upon the righteous Psalms 125:3. Ultimately, God will seek out the wicked person's wickedness until none is found Psalms 10:15.
- Personal Accountability and Repentance: The concept of H7562 underscores individual responsibility for one's moral state and actions. While a grave condition, scripture also presents the possibility of turning from H7562, as seen in the warning to the wicked man to "turn not from his wickedness" Ezekiel 3:19, implying a choice. Conversely, God declares that "the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall thereby in the day that he turneth from his wickedness" Ezekiel 33:12, highlighting the transformative power of repentance and God's desire for individuals to abandon their wicked ways.
In summary, H7562 reshaʻ is a profoundly significant term in biblical thought, denoting a comprehensive state of moral evil that extends beyond mere individual acts to encompass a posture of opposition to divine righteousness. Rooted in the verb "to be wicked" or "to be condemned," H7562 carries a strong sense of legal culpability, marking those who practice it as guilty before God and subject to His judgment. It is portrayed as a foundational human problem, an inherent inclination that profoundly impacts human existence.
This wickedness manifests not only in personal moral failings but also as a pervasive force corrupting societal structures. It is found perverting the very institutions meant to uphold justice, as seen in the halls of judgment, and it underpins systems of economic exploitation and violent oppression. Scripture illustrates H7562 as an active, destructive force, characterizing aggressive actions and the accumulation of ill-gotten gains.
Theologically, H7562 stands in stark contrast to the nature of God, who utterly detests it and finds no pleasure in it. While God actively opposes this wickedness, the Bible also emphasizes personal accountability, calling individuals to turn from their wicked ways and offering the possibility of deliverance through repentance. Ultimately, H7562 is depicted as a futile and temporary state, unable to establish a person or provide lasting security, as God's righteous judgment will ultimately seek it out until it is no more.
TRV