Sin, Trespass, Iniquity, etc.
This Is Appendix 44 From The Companion Bible.
There are many synonymous words to represent the
outworking of man's fallen nature. As these are not always translated by
the same English word, it is necessary that we should distinguish them.
The student, by reference to the following list, will be able to do so
:-
chat'a, to sin; to miss the mark (as in
Judges 20:16). Also of the
feet, to stumble and fall (Proverbs
19:2). Hence,
morally, a coming short, blameworthiness-not necessarily
wilful. An act of thought, word, or deed, not a condition. Usually (but
by no means always) rendered sin, and other words also so
rendered.
- 'asham, trespass, to sin through error or
ignorance. Compare Leviticus 4:13; 5:2, 3. Numbers
5:6,7. Judges
21:22. 1 Chronicles
21:3. 2 Chronicles
19:10; 28:10,13.
'Asham is a breach of commandment, done in ignorance, but,
when the guilt is proved, requiring atonement.
- 'aven, iniquity, specially connected with idolatry. Used
because an idol is nothing and vanity (compare Hosea 4:15; 5:8; 10:5, 8. Amos
5:5, marg.). Hence,
'aven comes to mean vanity (compare Job
15:35. Psalm
10:7. Proverbs
22:8, etc.). The word
has many renderings, which are pointed out in the passages when it
occurs. 'Aven is rather a course of bad conduct flowing
from the evil desires of fallen nature, than breaches of the law as
such.
- 'avah, perverseness, from the root to
be bent, or crooked. English wrong
that is to say, wrung out of course, expresses it ( compare 1 Samuel
20:30. 2 Samuel
19:19. 1 Kings
8:47. Job
33:37, etc.).
- 'amal, trouble, labour, toil. Sin viewed in
the light of the trouble it causes; and of its burden and
its grievousness (Isaiah 10:1 Habakkuk
1:3). Often rendered
perverseness (Numbers 23:21), also
mischief (Job 15:35).
- 'aval, unjust, unfairness, sin in its
nature as deceitful, dishonesty, that which is not equal
and right, unfairness in dealings. Rendered unjust (Psalm
43:1; 82:2. Proverbs
29:27. Isaiah
26:10),
unrighteous (Leviticus 19:15, 35).
- 'abar, to pass beyond, transgress. Hence,
transgression (Psalm 17:3. Hosea
6:7; 8:1).
- ra'a', wicked, injurious. From its root,
which indicates its nature as breaking up all that is good
or disirable; injurious to all others. In Greek poneros,
evil, or kakos, bad. Hence especially of moral
depravity and corruption, and lewdness. English
"good-for-nothing" (1 Samuel
17:28),
naughty (2 Kings
2:19. Proverbs
20:14. Jeremiah
24:2).
- pash'a, revolt, rebellion. Sin against
lawful authority. Often rendered transgression (Psalm
51:13. Proverbs
28:21. Isaiah
43:27). In Proverbs
10:12 the action of
love or mercy shown stands in strong contrast to this character of the
sin.
- rasha', wickedness, in the sense of the
restless activity of fallen nature (Job 3:17. Isaiah
53:9 57:20, 21); where it
refers to the activity of the impious and ungodly, or robbers.
- ma'al, treachery, unfaithfulness, breach of
trust, often rendered trespass and transgression. It is used of
Achan (Joshua 7:1; 22:20). Compare Joshua
22:16. 2Chronicles
26:18; 28:22; 33:19. Ezra
9:2,4. Nehemiah
13:27, etc.
- shagag, erring from imprudence, rashness, being deceived,
not wilfully; and shagah, erring wilfully through passion or
wine, hence, to go astray. As sin it is to be
distinguished from presumptuous or high-handed sin. Compare Leviticus
4:13. Numbers
15:22, etc., with
Numbers 15:30. Psalm
119:21.
- zimmah, meditated wickedness, plotted,
planned, and designed; wicked, or lewd purpose, especially of sins of
unchastity.
- chasad = shameful. A Homonym, meaning (1)
Here, and Job 37:13 (where it is
rendered "mercy" in Authorized Version and Revised
Version). But "lightning" is not "mercy",
but chastisement. (2) The other meaning is mercy,
lovingkindness, or grace. See note on Leviticus
20:14.
- shal, fault, commited inadvertently through
negligence.
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