Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Nature:Perversity, in a biblical context, refers to a deliberate and obstinate deviation from what is considered morally right or good. It is often associated with a willful turning away from God's commandments and a rejection of His truth. The term encompasses a range of behaviors and attitudes that are contrary to the divine order and righteousness.
Biblical References:The concept of perversity is addressed in various passages throughout the Bible, highlighting its destructive nature and the consequences it brings.
1.
Proverbs 11:3 · "The integrity of the upright guides them, but the perversity of the treacherous destroys them." This verse contrasts the guidance that integrity provides with the destructive nature of perversity, emphasizing the moral downfall that accompanies treacherous behavior.
2.
Proverbs 12:8 · "A man is praised according to his wisdom, but a twisted mind is despised." Here, perversity is linked to a "twisted mind," suggesting a corruption of thought that leads to social and moral disapproval.
3.
Isaiah 59:3-4 · "For your hands are stained with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, and your tongue mutters injustice. No one calls for justice; no one pleads his case honestly. They rely on empty pleas; they tell lies; they conceive mischief and give birth to iniquity." This passage illustrates how perversity manifests in actions and speech, leading to societal injustice and moral decay.
4.
Romans 1:28-32 · In the New Testament, Paul describes the consequences of rejecting God, stating, "Furthermore, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, He gave them up to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done." This passage outlines a progression from the rejection of God to a state of moral and ethical perversity, resulting in a host of sinful behaviors.
Characteristics of Perversity:Perversity is characterized by a conscious choice to act against God's will. It often involves:
·
Deception and Lies: As seen in
Isaiah 59:3-4, perversity is frequently associated with dishonesty and falsehood.
·
Moral Corruption: A perverse individual or society is marked by a departure from moral and ethical standards, leading to actions that are harmful and unjust.
·
Resistance to Truth: Perversity involves a stubborn refusal to accept or adhere to the truth, as highlighted in
Romans 1:28-32.
Consequences of Perversity:The Bible warns of the severe consequences that result from a perverse lifestyle. These include:
·
Destruction and Ruin:Proverbs 11:3 warns that perversity leads to destruction, both personally and collectively.
·
Divine Judgment: Throughout Scripture, God is depicted as opposing those who engage in perverse behavior, ultimately leading to judgment and separation from His presence.
·
Social and Moral Breakdown: As seen in
Isaiah 59, perversity contributes to societal injustice and the breakdown of communal harmony.
Call to Righteousness:The Bible consistently calls individuals to turn away from perversity and embrace righteousness. This involves a commitment to truth, integrity, and obedience to God's commandments. Through repentance and faith, believers are encouraged to seek transformation and renewal, aligning their lives with God's will and purpose.
Topical Bible Verses
Proverbs 19:1, 17:20Better is the poor that walks in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.
Topicalbible.orgPsalm 110:4
The LORD has sworn, and will not repent, You are a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
Topicalbible.org
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
n.) Wickedness; caprice; deliberate deviation from what is good; the quality or state of being perverse; perverseness.
Strong's Hebrew
2017. hophek --perversity, turning of things upside down... 2016, 2017. hophek. 2018 .
perversity, turning of things upside down.
Transliteration: hophek Phonetic Spelling: (ho'-fek) Short Definition:
perversity.
...8419. tahpukah --perversity, perverse thing
... 8418, 8419. tahpukah. 8420 .perversity, perverse thing. Transliteration: tahpukah
Phonetic Spelling: (tah-poo-kaw') Short Definition: things....
2016. hephek -- the contrary, contrariness,perversity
... 2015, 2016. hephek. 2017 . the contrary, contrariness,perversity. Transliteration:
hephek Phonetic Spelling: (heh'-fek) Short Definition: different....
6143. iqqeshuth -- crookedness
... Word Origin from aqash Definition crookedness NASB Word Usage deceitful (1), perverse
(1). froward. From iqqesh;perversity -- X froward. see HEBREW iqqesh....
5773. ivim -- distorting, warping
... Word Origin from avah Definition distorting, warping NASB Word Usage distortion
(1). perverse. From avah;perversity -- X perverse. see HEBREW avah....
5771. avon -- iniquity, guilt, punishment for iniquity
... Or oavown (2 Kings 7:9; Psalm 51:5; Psalm 51:7) {aw-vone'}; from avah;perversity,
ie (moral) evil -- fault, iniquity, mischeif, punishment (of iniquity), sin....
Library
Perversity of Theophilus. St. Epiphanius: his Residence at...
... Book VIII. Chapter XIV."Perversity of Theophilus. St. Epiphanius: his Residence
at Constantinople and Preparation to excite the People against John....
Since Then, in Reference to Our Hope of the Resurrection, Christ...
... above? And is it not evident that men are moved to accuse others not by
difference of belief, but byperversity of disposition?...
If, Again, it is Certain that we are the Most Wicked of Men...
... So that with all the greaterperversity you act, when, holding our crimes proved
by our confession of the name of Christ, you drive us by torture to fall from...
He Restoreth My Soul.
... due is partly the result of our fallen nature; partly, therefore, in a way, excusable;
but more frequently and chiefly from our ownperversity"from wilful...
Conclusion.
... Himself for us that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself
a peculiar people zealous of good works" (Titus 2:14), theperversity of man...
Limiting God
... Man, to prove constantly hisperversity, will put the second table before the
first, nay, upon the first, so as to cover and conceal it....
On Reconciling Religious Dissensions among Christians
... of God has at all times contended with his Just Severity, and what a conflict the
Goodness of The Deity has always maintained with thePerversity of men....
Book ix. Epistle i. To Januarius, Bishop of Caralis (Cagliari).
... We had, however, been in doubt as to so greatperversity in thee as this; but our
son Cyriacus the abbot [1] , having been questioned by us, declared that when...
Whether There Can be Falsehood in the Intellect of an Angel?
... Objection 1: It would seem that there can be falsehood in the angel's intellect.
Forperversity appertains to falsehood. But, as Dionysius says (Div. Nom....
Whether it is Necessary for Perjury that the Statement Confirmed...
... Hence falsehood directly annuls the end of an oath: and for this reason, that
perversity in swearing, which is called perjury, takes its species chiefly from...
Thesaurus
Perversity (23 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Perversity (23 Occurrences).
... Leviticus 19:35 Ye do not
do
perversity in judgment, in mete-yard, in weight, or in liquid measure; (YLT).
...Tolerate (8 Occurrences)
... (WEB). Habakkuk 1:3 Why do you show me iniquity, and look atperversity? For
destruction and violence are before me. There is strife, and contention rises up....
Trusts (35 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 33:13 In My saying of the righteous: He surely liveth, And -- he hath trusted
on his righteousness, And he hath doneperversity, All his righteous acts...
Pervert (18 Occurrences)
Dying (57 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 18:26 In the turning back of the righteous from his righteousness, And he
hath doneperversity, And he is dying by them, for hisperversity That he...
Trusted (82 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 33:13 In My saying of the righteous: He surely liveth, And -- he hath trusted
on his righteousness, And he hath doneperversity, All his righteous acts...
Liquid (15 Occurrences)
... evening. (BBE). Leviticus 19:35 Ye do not doperversity in judgment, in
mete-yard, in weight, or in liquid measure; (YLT). 1 Kings...
Frowardness (4 Occurrences)
... fro'-werd-nes: The translation of tahpukhoth the plural of tahpukhah,perversity,
foolishness (from haphakh, to turn about) in Proverbs 2:14, delight in the...
Fault (42 Occurrences)
... error," "failure," "sin" (Exodus 5:16); of cheT', same meaning (Genesis 41:9, "I
do remember my faults this day"); of `awon, "perversity," "iniquity" (2 Samuel...
Treachery (18 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 18:24 And in the turning back of the righteous from his righteousness, And
he hath doneperversity, According to all the abominations That the wicked...
Resources
What does it mean to guard your heart? | GotQuestions.orgHow does the Bible describe a fool? | GotQuestions.orgPerversity: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
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Topical Bible •
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