Exegetical Study: “Sin” vs. “Iniquity”

 

I. Introduction

In Scripture, "sin" and "iniquity" are often used interchangeably in English translations, yet in the original Hebrew and Greek, these terms carry nuanced distinctions. Understanding these differences deepens our grasp of the biblical portrayal of human moral failure and divine justice.

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II. Hebrew Terms and Contexts

1. Sin – חֵטְא (ḥeṭ’ or chatta’th)

• Root Meaning: To miss the mark, fail, or err.

• Usage: Most commonly used for general wrongdoing or failure to meet God's standards.

• Example: Judges 20:16 – “Among all these were 700 chosen men who were left-handed; every one could sling a stone at a hair and not miss (ḥaṭṭā’).”

  • The idea is missing a literal target, which metaphorically applies to missing God's moral standard.

Idiomatic Use:

• Often seen in sacrificial contexts (Leviticus), suggesting a kind of “accidental” or unintentional wrongdoing needing atonement.

Implication:

• “Sin” in Hebrew thought implies a deviation or error—like veering off the path.

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2. Iniquity – עָוֹן (‘āwōn)

• Root Meaning: To twist, bend, or pervert.

• Usage: Refers to guilt stemming from deliberate or premeditated wrong; implies moral distortion.

• Example: Psalm 51:5 – “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity (ʿāwōn), and in sin (ḥeṭ’) my mother conceived me.”

  • The parallelism implies iniquity is deeper, possibly systemic or generational.

Idiomatic Use:

• Sometimes refers to the consequences or punishment of sin (e.g., Isaiah 53:6 – “the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all”).

Implication:

• “Iniquity” implies inner corruption or intentional crookedness—a heart condition rather than a mere act.

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III. Greek Terms and Contexts

1. Sin – ἁμαρτία (hamartia)

• Root Meaning: To miss the mark, especially in archery.

• Usage: Standard word in the New Testament for sin.

• Example: Romans 3:23 – “For all have sinned (ἥμαρτον) and fall short of the glory of God.”

Greek Philosophy Influence:

• Plato and Aristotle viewed ἁμαρτία as an intellectual error, while the NT emphasizes it as moral failure and rebellion.

Implication:

• In the NT, "sin" involves both action and nature: not just what people do, but who they are apart from God.

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2. Iniquity – ἀνομία (anomia)

• Root Meaning: “Without law” (a- “without” + nomos “law”).

• Usage: Willful lawlessness or rebellion.

• Example: Matthew 7:23 – “Depart from me, you workers of iniquity (ἀνομία)!”

Idiomatic Use:

• Often used to describe the end-times moral breakdown (cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:7 – “mystery of lawlessness”).

Implication:

• Not just doing wrong, but rejecting divine authority—an expression of a rebellious will.

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IV. Theological and Cultural Distinctions

Term	Language	Literal Root Meaning	Implication	Common Idiom/Culture
Sin	Hebrew – ḥeṭ’	To miss the mark	Error, failure, needs atonement	Sacrificial system, unintentional
Iniquity	Hebrew – ʿāwōn	To twist, pervert	Corruption, generational, guilt	Identity-level brokenness
Sin	Greek – hamartia	To miss the mark	Moral failure and guilt	Philosophical and NT moral context
Iniquity	Greek – anomia	Lawlessness, rebellion	Defiance of divine order	Apocalyptic/lawless age motif

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V. Summary and Application

• “Sin” emphasizes actions that fail to meet divine standards—sometimes unwitting, always serious.

• “Iniquity” highlights a heart posture of intentional deviation or corruption from God's law.

• In biblical culture, “sin” may be corrected by sacrifice and repentance; “iniquity” requires transformation and divine intervention (see Isaiah 1:18).

• Both terms work together to describe not just what humans do, but who they become without God's grace.