סֶלֶף
𐤎𐤋𐤐
çeleph
H5558 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A distortion, deformation, or departure from what is straight or just, often in a figurative sense of moral perversion, depravity, or conduct characterized by turning aside from what is right. The term encompasses both literal (physical or structural) distortion and, more commonly, abstract senses such as moral deviation or perversity.
Semantic Range
distortion, deviation, perversion, depravity, moral deflection, crookedness, viciousness, turning aside from what is just or right
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root סָלַף (salaf), meaning 'to twist, turn aside, distort, pervert.' The noun סֶלֶף (seleph) arises from the verbal concept of twisting or distorting, coming to refer to the state or result of being twisted, especially as applied to moral character or actions.
Historical & Contextual Notes
סֶלֶף appears infrequently in the Hebrew Bible, with its principal attestations in wisdom literature (e.g., Proverbs 4:24), where it functions to characterize speech or behavior that departs from the norms of righteousness or uprightness, often in contrast to 'straightness' (יֹשֶׁר). While some English versions translate it as 'perverseness' or 'viciousness,' such translations may not convey the full nuance, which includes both literal distortion (twisting, deformation) and figurative deviation from accepted standards, especially in ethical or behavioral domains. The word's usage is typically negative, associated with moral fault rather than mere physical distortion. Unlike related roots such as עָקַשׁ (ʿqsh, 'to be crooked'), סֶלֶף accentuates the act of twisting or distorting, particularly as a quality or attribute in a person or speech. In later periods, the abstract sense dominates, aligning with broader semantic development seen in Second Temple literature.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from סָלַף; distortion, i.e. (figuratively) viciousness; perverseness.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
סלף (s-l-p̄) — to twist, distort, pervert
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H5557 | סָלַף | the one who perverts |
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5558-01 |
וְ/סֶ֖לֶף | veselef | HC/Ncmsc |
and-perverseness | and distortion-of | 2 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5558-01 |
Proverbs 11:3 | וְ/סֶ֖לֶף | veselef | HC/Ncmsc |
and-perverseness | and distortion-of |
H5558-01 |
Proverbs 15:4 | וְ/סֶ֥לֶף | veselef | HC/Ncmsa |
and perversion | and distortion-of |