Word Study for H6140 (עָקַשׁ)

ʻâqash /aw-kash'/ Ask about this word

Roota primitive root

Meaningto knot or distort; figuratively, to pervert (act or declare perverse)

KJV usagemake crooked, (prove, that is) perverse(-rt).

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of ʻâqash — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word ʻâqash, represented by H6140, is a primitive root meaning to knot or distort. It is used figuratively to signify the act of perverting something, declaring it perverse, or making it crooked. This term appears 5 times across 5 unique verses in the Bible, consistently highlighting a deviation from a straight or upright standard.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In scripture, H6140 is frequently contrasted with righteousness and integrity. The book of Proverbs warns that while one who "walketh uprightly" walks securely, "he that perverteth his ways shall be known" Proverbs 10:9. This theme is echoed in the warning that one who is "perverse in his ways" will "fall at once" Proverbs 28:18. Isaiah uses the term to describe those who "have made them crooked paths," resulting in a complete lack of peace Isaiah 59:8. The prophet Micah confronts the leaders of Israel for abhorring judgment and choosing to "pervert all equity" Micah 3:9. The term can also describe a state of being, as Job fears that even if he claims to be perfect, his own mouth would "prove me perverse" Job 9:20.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words clarify the context of distortion and perversion:

H1870 derek (a road; figuratively, a course of life or mode of action): This word is directly modified by H6140 in passages that speak of perverting one's ways (Proverbs 10:9, Proverbs 28:18), illustrating that perversion is a distortion of one's entire life path.
H1980 hâlak (to walk): This verb often establishes the context for H6140, contrasting one who "walketh uprightly" with one who "perverteth" his ways, tying the concept of perversion to one's daily conduct and behavior (Proverbs 10:9, Proverbs 28:18).
H3477 yâshâr (straight; figuratively, equity, just, right): This is the direct moral opposite of H6140. While yâshâr represents the divine standard of equity, ʻâqash is the act of twisting or perverting that standard Micah 3:9.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H6140 is significant in understanding the nature of sin.

Moral Accountability: The use of H6140 consistently links perverse actions to negative consequences. A perverse path leads to being exposed Proverbs 10:9 and sudden collapse Proverbs 28:18, while an upright walk leads to safety (H983) and salvation (H3467).
Distortion of Divine Order: Perversion is portrayed as the active rejection of God's principles. Those who make their paths crooked (H6140) do not know peace (H7965) and operate where there is no judgment (H4941) Isaiah 59:8. It is an action that replaces divine equity with human distortion Micah 3:9.
Inherent Crookedness: The term points to a condition that goes beyond outward actions. In Job, a man's own mouth can reveal his perverse state, even in the face of self-justification Job 9:20. This suggests that perversity is a deep-seated distortion of the heart that cannot ultimately be concealed.

Summary

In summary, H6140 ʻâqash encapsulates the concept of active, willful distortion. It is more than simple wrongdoing; it is the twisting of what should be straight—whether it be a person's life path, a standard of equity, or the state of one's own heart. The word stands as a stark biblical warning against deviating from the path of integrity, illustrating that such perversion leads to exposure, a lack of peace, and eventual downfall. It defines sin not merely as a mistake, but as a deliberate choice to make the straight ways crooked.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 5 occurrences, inflected in 5 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

יַּעְקְשֵׁ
נֶעְקַשׁ
יְעַקֵּשׁוּ
מְעַקֵּשׁ
עִקְּשׁוּ

Related Words

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 5 verses across 4 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Proverbs (2 verses); never once in the other 35.

Job

Proverbs

Isaiah

Micah

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.