עִקְּשׁוּת

From the study of Proverbs 4:24

Range of meaning

Crookedness or twistedness, used of speech. The root ʿ-q-š means "to twist, bend, make crooked." The adjective ʿiqqēš describes a "crooked" heart, way or person (Prov 2:15; 8:8; 11:20; 22:5; 28:6). In Mic 3:9 the verb describes people who "twist everything that is straight," meaning they pervert justice. The noun occurs only here and in Prov 6:12, where the worthless man "goes about with a crooked mouth."

Against the English

KJV says "froward" and WEB says "perverse." BSB says "deception," NASB "deceitful," and ESV "crooked." "Crooked" keeps the picture best. "Deception" is a fair part of the meaning, but it leaves out other ways speech can be bent: distorting, manipulating, double-talk, slanted testimony.

How it drifted

"Perverse" originally meant "turned the wrong way" (Latin perversus, "turned around"). In modern English it usually suggests sexual deviance or obscenity, which is not what the Hebrew means.

Used elsewhere in the period

The ʿqš family is a standard term in Proverbs, where crookedness is set against the yāšār, the "straight/upright" (Prov 8:8: "all the words of my mouth are in righteousness; nothing twisted [niptāl] or crooked [ʿiqqēš] is in them"). The Septuagint here uses skolion stoma, "a crooked mouth." Phil 2:15 later uses skolios for a "crooked generation."

From the study of Proverbs 6:12

Range of meaning

"Crookedness of mouth". The root ʿqš means twisted or bent: a crooked path (Prov 2:15; 10:9), a twisted heart (Prov 11:20; 17:20). It is the opposite of "straight" or "upright" (yāšār). Of speech, it covers lies, distortion, slander, double meanings and manipulative talk.

Against the English

BSB, WEB and NASB have "perverse mouth", KJV has "froward mouth", ESV has "crooked speech", NIV has "corrupt mouth". "Crooked speech" is closest to the picture. "Perverse" now often suggests something sexual, which is not in view. "Froward" (from "fromward", turned away) is accurate but archaic and opaque to most readers.

How it drifted

"Froward" has dropped out of ordinary English. "Perverse" has narrowed toward sexual deviance in popular use.

Used elsewhere in the period

The exact phrase appears in Proverbs 4:24 ("Put away from you crookedness of mouth"). It fits Proverbs' constant contrast between the straight path and the crooked path, a contrast found throughout ancient Near Eastern wisdom, such as the Egyptian Instruction of Amenemope, which also warns against the deceitful talker.