Greek and Hebrew words for Sin
Biblical words for sin
Hebrew
The Old Testament uses 6 different nouns and 3 verbs to describe sin:
râ?âh
This term is used more than 600 times and is most often translated as "evil" or
"bad" (^ _[Strong's
#7451]_^).
It carries the implication of something that is contrary to God's nature.
cha??â'âh
This term is used almost 300 times and is most often translated as "sin" or
"offense" (^ _[Strong's
#2403]_^).
It carries the implication of that which is deserving of punishment.
râshâ?
This term is used more than 250 times and is most often translated as "wicked"
(^ _[Strong's
#7563]_^).
It carries the implication of something that is morally wrong.
?âvôn
This term is used more than 200 times and is most often translated as "iniquity"
^ _[Strong's
#5771]_^).
It carries the implication of being perverse, crooked or twisted.
pesha?
This term is used almost 100 times and is most often translated as
"transgression" (^ _[Strong's
#6588]_^).
It carries the implication of rebellion.
'âsham
This term is used more than 30 times and is most often translated as "guilty" (^
_[Strong's
#816]_^).
It carries the implication of offense or trespass.
tâ?âh
50 hits ^ [Strong's
#8582]^
A primitive root; to vacillate, that is, reel or stray (literally or figuratively);
also causatively of both: - (cause to) go astray, deceive, dissemble, (cause to,
make to) err, pant, seduce, (make to) stagger, (cause to) wander, be out of the way.
pâsha?
41 hits ^ [Strong's
#6586]^
A primitive root (rather identical with H6585 through the idea of expansion); to
break away (from just authority), that is, trespass, apostatize, quarrel: - offend,
rebel, revolt, transgress (-ion, -or).
shâgâh
21 hits ^ [Strong's
#7686]^
A primitive root; to stray (causatively mislead), usually (figuratively) to mistake,
especially (morally) to transgress; by extension (through the idea of intoxication)
to reel, (figuratively) be enraptured: - (cause to) go astray, deceive, err, be ravished,
sin through ignorance, (let, make to) wander.
Greek nouns
hamartia
174 hits ^ [Strong's
#266]^
From G264; sin (properly abstract): - offence, sin (-ful).
parapt?ma
23 hits ^ [Strong's
#3900]^
From G3895; a side slip (lapse or deviation), that is, (unintentional) error or (wilful)
transgression: - fall, fault, offence, sin, trespass. (Galatians 6:1)
parabasis
7 hits ^ [Strong's
#3847]^
From G3845; violation: - breaking, transgression.
asebeia
6 hits ^ [Strong's
#763]^
From G765; impiety, that is, (by implication) wickedness: - ungodly (-liness). (Romans
1:18)
hamart?ma
4 hits ^ [Strong's
#265]^
From G264; a sin (properly concrete): - sin.
Greek adjectives
pon?ros
76 hits ^ [Strong's
#4190]^
From a derivative of G4192; hurtful, that is, evil (properly in effect or influence,
and thus differing from G2556, which refers rather to essential character, as well
as from G4550, which indicates degeneracy from original virtue); figuratively calamitous;
also (passively) ill, that is, diseased; but especially (morally) culpable, that
is, derelict, vicious, facinorous; neuter (singular) mischief, malice, or (plural)
guilt; masculine (singular) the devil, or (plural) sinners: - bad, evil, grievous,
harm, lewd, malicious, wicked (-ness). See also G4191. (Matthew 5:45)
kakos
51 hits ^ [Strong's
#2556]^
Apparently a primary word; worthless (intrinsically such; whereas G4190 properly
refers to effects), that is, (subjectively) depraved, or (objectively) injurious: -
bad, evil, harm, ill, noisome, wicked. (Romans 13:3)
adikos
12 hits ^ [Strong's
#94]^
From G1 (as a negative particle) and G1349; unjust; by extension wicked; by implication
treacherous; specifically heathen: - unjust, unrighteous. (I Corinthians 6:9)
anomos
10 hits ^ [Strong's
#459]^
From G1 (as a negative particle) and G3551; lawless, that is, (negatively) not subject
to (the Jewish) law; (by implication a Gentile), or (positively) wicked: - without
law, lawless, transgressor, unlawful, wicked. (I Timothy 1:9)
enochos
10 hits ^ [Strong's
#1777]^
From G1758; liable to (a condition, penalty or imputation): - in danger of, guilty
of, subject to. (Matthew 5:21)
Greek verbs
hamartan?
43 hits ^ [Strong's
#264]^
Perhaps from G1 (as a negative particle) and the base of G3313; properly to miss
the mark (and so not share in the prize), that is, (figuratively) to err, especially
(morally) to sin: - for your faults, offend, sin, trespass. (I Corinthians 6:18)
plana?
39 hits ^ [Strong's
#4105]^
From G4106; to (properly cause to) roam (from safety, truth, or virtue): - go astray,
deceive, err, seduce, wander, be out of the way. (I Corinthians 6:9)
parabain?
4 hits ^ [Strong's
#3845]^
From G3844 and the base of G939; to go contrary to, that is, violate a command: -
(by) transgress (-ion).