Lexical Summary seleph: Crookedness, perversity Original Word: סֶלֶף Strong's Exhaustive Concordance perverseness From calaph; distortion, i.e. (figuratively) viciousness -- perverseness. see HEBREW calaph NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom salaph Definition crookedness, crooked dealing NASB Translation crookedness (1), perversion (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs סֶ֫לֶף noun masculineProverbs 11:3 Qr crookedness, crooked dealing: — ׳ס absolute Proverbs 15:4 (of tongue); construct בֹּגְדִים ׳ס Proverbs 11:3. Topical Lexicon Overview The term סֶלֶף appears only twice in Scripture, both times in the Book of Proverbs, and consistently portrays moral crookedness or perversity that opposes the straight path of wisdom. In each setting the word stands in sharp contrast to integrity, life-giving speech, and covenant faithfulness, highlighting the destructive power of deviance from God’s righteous standards. Occurrences in Proverbs 1. Proverbs 11:3 – “The integrity of the upright guides them, but the perverseness of the treacherous destroys them.” Literary Context and Imagery Proverbs frequently employs antithetic parallelism to sharpen moral choices. Integrity versus crookedness (11:3) and soothing speech versus a perverse tongue (15:4) present vivid contrasts that reinforce the covenant concept of walking a straight path before the LORD (compare Proverbs 3:5-6). The imagery of “crookedness” evokes a path that bends away from God’s will, while “straight” or “upright” images a roadway that leads securely to blessing. Historical and Cultural Setting Ancient Near Eastern wisdom traditions valued ethical consistency, but Israel’s sages rooted that ideal in the fear of the LORD (Proverbs 1:7). Within the community of faith, crooked dealings violated both social order and covenant loyalty. A “perverse tongue” threatened the cohesion of families, tribes, and courts by undermining truth and justice—vital foundations for any theocratic society. Theological Significance 1. Sin’s Deforming Power: Crookedness distorts what God created to be straight (Ecclesiastes 7:13). Canonical Connections • Deuteronomy 32:5 contrasts Israel’s “crooked generation” with God’s faithfulness. Christological Reflection Jesus Christ embodies the perfect antithesis of סֶלֶף. His path was entirely straight, fulfilling Isaiah 40:3’s call to “make straight in the desert a highway for our God.” In Him “no deceit was found in His mouth” (1 Peter 2:22), making His life and speech the ultimate standard against which all perversity is exposed. Ministry Applications • Character Formation: Congregations should cultivate integrity that “guides” rather than perversity that “destroys.” Practical Steps for Believers 1. Examine Paths: Regularly compare personal choices with the straight standards of God’s Word (Psalm 119:105). Conclusion סֶלֶף warns that even subtle deviations from integrity warp both individual character and community life. By embracing the straight path through reverence for God, reliance on His Word, and conformity to Christ, believers overcome the pervasive lure of crookedness and become agents of healing and truth in their generation. Forms and Transliterations וְסֶ֖לֶף וְסֶ֥לֶף וסלף veSelef wə·se·lep̄ wəselep̄Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Proverbs 11:3 HEB: יְשָׁרִ֣ים תַּנְחֵ֑ם וְסֶ֖לֶף בּוֹגְדִ֣ים [וְשַׁדָּם NAS: will guide them, But the crookedness of the treacherous KJV: shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors INT: of the upright will guide the crookedness of the treacherous dead Proverbs 15:4 2 Occurrences |
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