5754. avvah
Lexical Summary
avvah: Desire, Lust, Craving

Original Word: עַוָּה
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: `avvah
Pronunciation: ahv-vah
Phonetic Spelling: (av-vaw')
KJV: X overturn
NASB: ruin
Word Origin: [intensive from H5753 (עָוָה - To bend) abbreviated]

1. overthrow

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
overturn

Intensive from avah abbreviated; overthrow -- X overturn.

see HEBREW avah

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
intens. from avah
Definition
distortion, ruin
NASB Translation
ruin (3).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
I. עַוָּה noun feminine distortion, ruin; — עַוָּה עַוָּה עַוָּה אֲשִׂימֶנָּה Ezekiel 21:32 (compare √

Pi`el Isaiah 24:1).

Topical Lexicon
Meaning and Imagery

The verb עַוָּה (Strong 5754) pictures a violent turning upside-down or twisting out of shape. It is the language of catastrophic reversal—what once stood firm suddenly lies ruined. The word therefore conveys both physical devastation and moral overturning, underscoring the comprehensive nature of divine judgment.

Key Verse (Berean Standard Bible)

Ezekiel 21:27

“A ruin, a ruin, I will make it! Indeed, it will not be restored until He comes to whom it rightfully belongs; then I will give it to Him.”

Literary and Historical Context

Ezekiel 21 announces Babylon’s sword against Jerusalem and her prince, Zedekiah. The triple repetition of עַוָּה (“a ruin, a ruin, a ruin”) intensifies the oracle: monarchy, city, and temple alike will be reduced to rubble. The prophet is writing about 586 BC but looking beyond it. The throne of David will be so thoroughly overturned that no legitimate descendant will rule again in Judah until the advent of the promised King.

Prophetic and Theological Themes

1. Total Judgment: The thrice-spoken verb signals irrevocable action. What God overturns no human hand can rebuild.
2. Conditional Hope: The devastation is “until He comes to whom it rightfully belongs.” Judgment clears the stage for restoration under the rightful Heir.
3. Messianic Expectation: The clause alludes to Genesis 49:10 (“until Shiloh comes”) and is echoed in Luke 1:32–33, where the angel announces that Jesus will receive “the throne of His father David.” Thus Ezekiel links the fall of Zedekiah to the future coronation of Christ.
4. Divine Sovereignty: The same God who topples earthly thrones also appoints the everlasting King. History is neither random nor out of control but directed toward God’s redemptive goal.

Echoes in the Canon

Lamentations 2:2 mourns that the Lord “has thrown down the strongholds of Daughter Judah,” reflecting the same upheaval.
Daniel 2:44 foresees a kingdom “that will never be destroyed,” picking up the hope that arises only after all rival thrones are overturned.
Revelation 11:15 proclaims, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ,” the ultimate fulfillment of Ezekiel’s prophecy.

Ministry and Discipleship Implications

• Preaching: Ezekiel 21:27 supplies a sobering reminder that sin invites complete reversal, yet it simultaneously points to the sure hope in Christ’s rightful rule.
• Counseling: Believers facing personal “overturnings” can be directed to God’s sovereign purpose; ruin is never the final word for those who belong to the Messiah.
• Missions: The passage fuels confidence that all rebellious structures—political, cultural, or spiritual—will ultimately yield to Jesus’ dominion.
• Worship: The triple use of the verb invites liturgical reflection on the holiness of God and the certainty of His coming kingdom, leading the church to pray, “Your kingdom come.”

Application for Today

Followers of Christ live between the divine “overturn” of worldly powers and the final bestowal of the kingdom on the Son of David. Every earthly structure is provisional; allegiance belongs to the One whose right it is. The prophetic force of עַוָּה therefore calls the church to sustained repentance, courageous proclamation, and steady hope in the King who cannot be shaken.

Forms and Transliterations
עַוָּ֖ה עַוָּ֣ה עַוָּ֥ה עוה ‘aw·wāh ‘awwāh avVah
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Englishman's Concordance
Ezekiel 21:27
HEB: עַוָּ֥ה עַוָּ֖ה עַוָּ֣ה
NAS: A ruin, a ruin, a ruin,
KJV: I will overturn, overturn, overturn,
INT: A ruin A ruin A ruin

Ezekiel 21:27
HEB: עַוָּ֥ה עַוָּ֖ה עַוָּ֣ה אֲשִׂימֶ֑נָּה
NAS: A ruin, a ruin, a ruin, I will make
KJV: I will overturn, overturn, overturn,
INT: A ruin A ruin A ruin will make

Ezekiel 21:27
HEB: עַוָּ֥ה עַוָּ֖ה עַוָּ֣ה אֲשִׂימֶ֑נָּה גַּם־
NAS: a ruin, a ruin, I will make
KJV: overturn, overturn, it: and it shall be
INT: A ruin A ruin A ruin will make also

3 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 5754
3 Occurrences


‘aw·wāh — 3 Occ.

5753b
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