Bible Dictionaries
Perverse

Holman Bible Dictionary

Translation of one Greek and several Hebrew terms with the literal meaning, “bent,” “crooked,” or “twisted,” applied to persons involved in moral error. Most biblical references are in the Book of Proverbs which mentions perverse: persons (Proverbs 3:32; Proverbs 14:14 ); minds (Proverbs 11:20; Proverbs 12:8; Proverbs 23:33 ); tongues (Proverbs 10:31; Proverbs 17:20 ); words or speech (Proverbs 10:32; Proverbs 19:1 ); and perverse ways (Proverbs 28:6 ). Paul urged Christians to be moral “lights” witnessing to their “crooked and perverse generation” (Philippians 2:15; compare Deuteronomy 32:5 ). Jesus accused His generation of both faithlessness and perversity (Matthew 17:17; Luke 9:41; compare Deuteronomy 32:20 ).