Translation Question

Question

I am writing a book on iniquity. My desire is to capture the true meaning of the Hebrew word "avon." Could you please assist me by suggesting a few subheadings I should include when dealing with the subject of "avon"? NkhwashuM@outlook.com

Answer

Shalom!

Thank you for your question.

The word “Avon” means “perversity, depravity, iniquity, guilt or punishment of iniquity.”

It can also be used as a “consequence of or punishment for iniquity.”

In a discussion of the confessional text that the High Priest recites on Yom Kippur, the Mishna Yoma 35b) says that he says: “Aviti, pashati, chatati lefanecha” (“I have acted iniquitously, transgressed and sinned before You”).

The sages teach that “aviti” refers to willful violations, while “pashati” refers to sins committed with intention to rebel and betray, and “chatati” refers to unintentional transgressions.

It emerges that the order here is from less severe to more severe: unintentional violations (chatati), intentional violations (aviti), and then acts of rebellion (pashati).

See also Psalms 106:6 and Kings I 8:47 and Daniel 9:5.


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