Definition and Nature:
Perversity, in a biblical context, refers to a deliberate and obstinate deviation from what is considered morally right or good. It is often associated with a willful turning away from God's commandments and a rejection of His truth. The term encompasses a range of behaviors and attitudes that are contrary to the divine order and righteousness.

Biblical References:
The concept of perversity is addressed in various passages throughout the Bible, highlighting its destructive nature and the consequences it brings.

1. Proverbs 11:3 · "The integrity of the upright guides them, but the perversity of the treacherous destroys them." This verse contrasts the guidance that integrity provides with the destructive nature of perversity, emphasizing the moral downfall that accompanies treacherous behavior.

2. Proverbs 12:8 · "A man is praised according to his wisdom, but a twisted mind is despised." Here, perversity is linked to a "twisted mind," suggesting a corruption of thought that leads to social and moral disapproval.

3. Isaiah 59:3-4 · "For your hands are stained with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, and your tongue mutters injustice. No one calls for justice; no one pleads his case honestly. They rely on empty pleas; they tell lies; they conceive mischief and give birth to iniquity." This passage illustrates how perversity manifests in actions and speech, leading to societal injustice and moral decay.

4. Romans 1:28-32 · In the New Testament, Paul describes the consequences of rejecting God, stating, "Furthermore, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, He gave them up to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done." This passage outlines a progression from the rejection of God to a state of moral and ethical perversity, resulting in a host of sinful behaviors.

Characteristics of Perversity:
Perversity is characterized by a conscious choice to act against God's will. It often involves:

· Deception and Lies: As seen in Isaiah 59:3-4, perversity is frequently associated with dishonesty and falsehood.
· Moral Corruption: A perverse individual or society is marked by a departure from moral and ethical standards, leading to actions that are harmful and unjust.
· Resistance to Truth: Perversity involves a stubborn refusal to accept or adhere to the truth, as highlighted in Romans 1:28-32.

Consequences of Perversity:
The Bible warns of the severe consequences that result from a perverse lifestyle. These include:

· Destruction and Ruin: Proverbs 11:3 warns that perversity leads to destruction, both personally and collectively.
· Divine Judgment: Throughout Scripture, God is depicted as opposing those who engage in perverse behavior, ultimately leading to judgment and separation from His presence.
· Social and Moral Breakdown: As seen in Isaiah 59, perversity contributes to societal injustice and the breakdown of communal harmony.

Call to Righteousness:
The Bible consistently calls individuals to turn away from perversity and embrace righteousness. This involves a commitment to truth, integrity, and obedience to God's commandments. Through repentance and faith, believers are encouraged to seek transformation and renewal, aligning their lives with God's will and purpose.Proverbs 19:1, 17:20
Better is the poor that walks in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.
Topicalbible.org

Psalm 110:4
The LORD has sworn, and will not repent, You are a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
Topicalbible.org

(n.) Wickedness; caprice; deliberate deviation from what is good; the quality or state of being perverse; perverseness.2017. hophek -- perversity, turning of things upside down
... 2016, 2017. hophek. 2018 . perversity, turning of things upside down.
Transliteration: hophek Phonetic Spelling: (ho'-fek) Short Definition: perversity. ...
/hebrew/2017.htm - 6k

8419. tahpukah -- perversity, perverse thing
... 8418, 8419. tahpukah. 8420 . perversity, perverse thing. Transliteration: tahpukah
Phonetic Spelling: (tah-poo-kaw') Short Definition: things. ...
/hebrew/8419.htm - 6k

2016. hephek -- the contrary, contrariness, perversity
... 2015, 2016. hephek. 2017 . the contrary, contrariness, perversity. Transliteration:
hephek Phonetic Spelling: (heh'-fek) Short Definition: different. ...
/hebrew/2016.htm - 6k

6143. iqqeshuth -- crookedness
... Word Origin from aqash Definition crookedness NASB Word Usage deceitful (1), perverse
(1). froward. From iqqesh; perversity -- X froward. see HEBREW iqqesh. ...
/hebrew/6143.htm - 6k

5773. ivim -- distorting, warping
... Word Origin from avah Definition distorting, warping NASB Word Usage distortion
(1). perverse. From avah; perversity -- X perverse. see HEBREW avah. ...
/hebrew/5773.htm - 6k

5771. avon -- iniquity, guilt, punishment for iniquity
... Or oavown (2 Kings 7:9; Psalm 51:5; Psalm 51:7) {aw-vone'}; from avah; perversity,
ie (moral) evil -- fault, iniquity, mischeif, punishment (of iniquity), sin. ...
/hebrew/5771.htm - 6k

Perversity of Theophilus. St. Epiphanius: his Residence at ...
... Book VIII. Chapter XIV."Perversity of Theophilus. St. Epiphanius: his Residence
at Constantinople and Preparation to excite the People against John. ...
/.../chapter xiv perversity of theophilus st.htm

Since Then, in Reference to Our Hope of the Resurrection, Christ ...
... above? And is it not evident that men are moved to accuse others not by
difference of belief, but by perversity of disposition? ...
/.../7 since then in reference.htm

If, Again, it is Certain that we are the Most Wicked of Men...
... So that with all the greater perversity you act, when, holding our crimes proved
by our confession of the name of Christ, you drive us by torture to fall from ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/apology/chapter ii if again it.htm

He Restoreth My Soul.
... due is partly the result of our fallen nature; partly, therefore, in a way, excusable;
but more frequently and chiefly from our own perversity"from wilful ...
/.../callan/the shepherd of my soul/v he restoreth my soul.htm

Conclusion.
... Himself for us that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself
a peculiar people zealous of good works" (Titus 2:14), the perversity of man ...
/.../burbidge/the kingdom of heaven what is it/chapter xi conclusion.htm

Limiting God
... Man, to prove constantly his perversity, will put the second table before the
first, nay, upon the first, so as to cover and conceal it. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/limiting god.htm

On Reconciling Religious Dissensions among Christians
... of God has at all times contended with his Just Severity, and what a conflict the
Goodness of The Deity has always maintained with the Perversity of men. ...
/.../the works of james arminius vol 1/oration v on reconciling religious.htm

Book ix. Epistle i. To Januarius, Bishop of Caralis (Cagliari).
... We had, however, been in doubt as to so great perversity in thee as this; but our
son Cyriacus the abbot [1] , having been questioned by us, declared that when ...
/.../gregory/the epistles of saint gregory the great/book ix epistle i to.htm

Whether There Can be Falsehood in the Intellect of an Angel?
... Objection 1: It would seem that there can be falsehood in the angel's intellect.
For perversity appertains to falsehood. But, as Dionysius says (Div. Nom. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether there can be falsehood.htm

Whether it is Necessary for Perjury that the Statement Confirmed ...
... Hence falsehood directly annuls the end of an oath: and for this reason, that
perversity in swearing, which is called perjury, takes its species chiefly from ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is necessary for 7.htm

Perversity (23 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Perversity (23 Occurrences). ... Leviticus 19:35 Ye do not
do perversity in judgment, in mete-yard, in weight, or in liquid measure; (YLT). ...
/p/perversity.htm - 13k

Tolerate (8 Occurrences)
... (WEB). Habakkuk 1:3 Why do you show me iniquity, and look at perversity? For
destruction and violence are before me. There is strife, and contention rises up. ...
/t/tolerate.htm - 9k

Trusts (35 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 33:13 In My saying of the righteous: He surely liveth, And -- he hath trusted
on his righteousness, And he hath done perversity, All his righteous acts ...
/t/trusts.htm - 15k

Pervert (18 Occurrences)

/p/pervert.htm - 12k

Dying (57 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 18:26 In the turning back of the righteous from his righteousness, And he
hath done perversity, And he is dying by them, for his perversity That he ...
/d/dying.htm - 22k

Trusted (82 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 33:13 In My saying of the righteous: He surely liveth, And -- he hath trusted
on his righteousness, And he hath done perversity, All his righteous acts ...
/t/trusted.htm - 30k

Liquid (15 Occurrences)
... evening. (BBE). Leviticus 19:35 Ye do not do perversity in judgment, in
mete-yard, in weight, or in liquid measure; (YLT). 1 Kings ...
/l/liquid.htm - 11k

Frowardness (4 Occurrences)
... fro'-werd-nes: The translation of tahpukhoth the plural of tahpukhah, perversity,
foolishness (from haphakh, to turn about) in Proverbs 2:14, delight in the ...
/f/frowardness.htm - 8k

Fault (42 Occurrences)
... error," "failure," "sin" (Exodus 5:16); of cheT', same meaning (Genesis 41:9, "I
do remember my faults this day"); of `awon, "perversity," "iniquity" (2 Samuel ...
/f/fault.htm - 23k

Treachery (18 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 18:24 And in the turning back of the righteous from his righteousness, And
he hath done perversity, According to all the abominations That the wicked ...
/t/treachery.htm - 12k

What does it mean to guard your heart? | GotQuestions.org

How does the Bible describe a fool? | GotQuestions.org

Perversity: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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