The meaning of “פֶּשַׁע”
Understanding peshaʻ reveals the original theological depth often simplified in translation.
rebellion, sin, transgression, trespass. - a revolt (national, moral or religious) 1) transgression, rebellion 1a1) tran...
פֶּשַׁע
rebellion, sin, transgression, trespass. - a revolt (national, moral or religious) 1) transgression, rebellion 1a1) transgression (against individuals) 1a2) transgression (nation against nation) 1a3) transgression (against God) 1a3a) in general 1a3b) as recognised by sinner 1a3c) as God deals with it 1a3d) as God forgives 1a4) guilt of transgression 1a5) punishment for transgression 1a6) offering for transgression
Occurrences in the Bible
| Reference | Text | |
|---|---|---|
| Genesis 50:17 | “So shall ye say unto Joseph, Forgive, I pray thee now, the trespass of thy brethren, and their sin; for they did unto thee evil: and now, we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of thy father. And Joseph wept when they spake unto him.” Word: פֶּשַׁע (peshaʻ) | |
| Numbers 14:18 | “The Lord is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation.” Word: פֶּשַׁע (peshaʻ) | |
| 1 Kings 8:50 | “And forgive thy people that have sinned against thee, and all their transgressions wherein they have transgressed against thee, and give them compassion before them who carried them captive, that they may have compassion on them:” Word: פֶּשַׁע (peshaʻ) | |
| Proverbs 28:2 | “For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged.” Word: פֶּשַׁע (peshaʻ) | |
| Lamentations 1:14 | “The yoke of my transgressions is bound by his hand: they are wreathed, and come up upon my neck: he hath made my strength to fall, the Lord hath delivered me into their hands, from whom I am not able to rise up.” Word: פֶּשַׁע (peshaʻ) |
Usage Statistics
Related Words
Cross-referenced Strong's numbers with semantic or etymological connections.
Theological Word Study: Transgression
Old Testament Usage
Meaning: Transgression, rebellion
The Hebrew pesha (פֶּשַׁע) means transgression or rebellion—willful violation of God's law. It implies deliberate revolt against divine authority: 'he was wounded for our transgressions' (Isaiah 53:5).
New Testament Usage
Meaning: Transgression, violation
The Greek parabasis (παράβασις) means transgression—stepping across a boundary. 'Where no law is, there is no transgression' (Romans 4:15), for transgression requires a known standard to violate.