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עַוָּה

𐤏𐤅𐤄

ʻavvâh

H5754 noun

SILEX Entry

Root עוה to bend, to twist, to pervert

Definition

A state of ruin, devastation, or overthrow, especially of a city or settlement. The term denotes complete destruction or a place that has been decisively reversed from its former condition to one of desolation.

Semantic Range

overthrow, ruin, devastation, reversal of fortune, state of wasteness, overturning, perversion (in a physical or societal sense)

Root / Etymology

From the root עוה (ʻ-w-h), meaning 'to bend, twist, pervert' in its verbal forms. The noun עַוָּה (ʻavvâh) represents the result or state of being overthrown or laid waste, highlighting the outcome of a process where something is fundamentally altered from its proper or original state.

Historical & Contextual Notes

עַוָּה occurs rarely in the Hebrew Bible and appears primarily in poetic or prophetic texts (e.g., Job 6:6; Isaiah 24:1). It is used to describe not just physical overthrow but a profound state of ruin, especially in contexts of divine judgment. The word’s sense is stronger than simple 'ruin'—it emphasizes a reversal or perversion of order, often as a result of acting contrary to foundational norms (see contrast with חָרְבָּה, 'desolation', which focuses on emptiness or abandonment rather than perversion or reversal). Although some English versions render it as 'overturn' or 'overthrow', these do not fully reflect its underlying nuance of complete transformation into a wasted state. In later periods, the usage of עַוָּה declines, and its sense is absorbed into more common terms for ruin or destruction. In biblical contexts, it is distinct from terms indicating moral perversion (also from עוה), here indicating physical or societal devastation.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

intensive from עָוָה abbreviated; overthrow; [idiom] overturn.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

אבה (ʾ-b-h) — to be willing, to desire, to consent

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H14 אָבָה he was willing
H16 אֵבֶה papyrus reed
H17 אֲבוֹי Ah, woe!
H34 אֶבְיוֹן man in want
H35 אֲבִיּוֹנָה the desire-arousing caper berry

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H5754-01 עַוָּ֥ה avah HNcfsa ruin he was willing 3

Occurrences in Scripture

3 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H5754-01 Ezekiel 21:32 עַוָּ֥ה avah HNcfsa ruin he was willing
H5754-01 Ezekiel 21:32 עַוָּ֖ה avah-2 HNcfsa ruin he was willing
H5754-01 Ezekiel 21:32 עַוָּ֣ה avah-3 HNcfsa ruin he was willing
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