The term "perverteth" is an archaic form of the verb "pervert," which means to lead someone away from what is considered right, natural, or acceptable, or to distort something from its original course, meaning, or state to a corruption of what was first intended. In the context of the Bible, "perverteth" often refers to the distortion or corruption of justice, truth, or moral integrity.

Biblical Usage:

1. Perverting Justice:
The Bible frequently warns against the perversion of justice, emphasizing the importance of fairness and righteousness in legal and social matters. In Deuteronomy 16:19 , it is written, "Do not deny justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous." Here, the act of perverting justice is linked to bribery and partiality, which corrupt the judicial process and lead to injustice.

2. Perverting the Way of the Lord:
In Acts 13:10 , the apostle Paul confronts Elymas the sorcerer, saying, "You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord?" This passage highlights the spiritual danger of leading others away from the truth of God's ways, emphasizing the seriousness of distorting divine teachings.

3. Perverting the Truth:
The distortion of truth is another significant concern in the Scriptures. Proverbs 19:1 states, "Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a fool whose lips are perverse." This proverb contrasts the value of integrity with the folly of perverse speech, underscoring the moral imperative to uphold truth and honesty.

4. Perverting Moral Integrity:
The Bible also addresses the perversion of moral integrity, often in the context of sexual immorality or idolatry. In Isaiah 47:10 , the prophet speaks against Babylon, saying, "You felt secure in your wickedness and said, 'No one sees me.' Your wisdom and knowledge have deluded you, for you have said in your heart, 'I am, and there is none besides me.'" This passage illustrates how self-deception and pride can lead to moral corruption and a departure from God's standards.

Theological Implications:

From a theological perspective, the concept of "perverteth" serves as a warning against the corruption of God's intended order, whether in justice, truth, or moral conduct. It underscores the importance of adhering to divine principles and the dangers of allowing human desires or deceit to lead one astray. The Bible consistently calls believers to maintain integrity, seek justice, and uphold the truth, reflecting the character of God in their lives.

Practical Application:

In practical terms, the admonition against perverting justice, truth, and morality calls Christians to examine their own lives and communities. It encourages believers to advocate for fairness, speak truthfully, and live according to God's commandments. By doing so, they bear witness to the transformative power of the Gospel and the righteousness of God's kingdom.

The Testament of Asher Concerning Two Faces of vice and virtue.
... in maliciousness, and he driveth away the good, and taketh unto him the evil, and
is ruled by Beliar; and even though he work what is good, he perverteth it in ...
/.../the testaments of the twelve patriarchs/x the testament of asher concerning.htm

G. Jesus Before Pilate. Ch. 23:1-25
... Pilate called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, 14 and said
unto them, Ye brought unto me this man, as one that perverteth the people ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/g jesus before pilate ch.htm

The King of Heaven at the Bar of Pilate.
... "Ye have brought this man unto me," he said to the chief priests, "as one that
perverteth the people, and behold, I, having examined him before you, have found ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xlii the king of.htm

Jesus and Pilate
... Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people:
and, behold, I having examined Him before you, have found no fault in this ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/jesus and pilate.htm

The Cause and Cure of Earthquakes
... "Behold, the Lord maketh the earth empty; and maketh it waste, and turneth it upside
down," (in the original, perverteth the face thereof,) "and scattereth ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 129 the cause and.htm

Third Stage of the Roman Trial. Pilate Reluctantly Sentences Him ...
... c Ye brought unto me this man, as one that perverteth the people: and behold, I
having examined him before you, found no fault in this man touching those ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cxxxi third stage of the.htm

The Trial Before Pilate Resumed.
... And Pilate called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, and
said unto them, "Ye brought unto me this man, as one that perverteth the people ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/the trial before pilate resumed.htm

God Operates on Men's Hearts to Incline their Wills Whithersoever ...
... Thus you will not run counter to that proverb of Solomon: "The foolishness of a
man perverteth his ways, yet he blameth God in his heart." [3212] Grace, however ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 43 god operates on mens.htm

Jesus Led Back from the Court of Herod to that of Pilate.
... He came forward and said to the accusers of Jesus: 'You have presented unto me this
man, as one that perverteth the people, and behold I, having examined him ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter xxi jesus led back.htm

A Discourse On
... or guile deceive his soul; for the bewitching of naughtiness bedimmeth the things
which are good, and the giddy whirl of desire perverteth an innocent mind. ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/ii a discourse on.htm

Perverteth (7 Occurrences)
...Perverteth (7 Occurrences). ... Exodus 23:8 And thou shalt take no gift: for the gift
blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous. ...
/p/perverteth.htm - 8k

Blindeth (2 Occurrences)
... Blindeth (2 Occurrences). Exodus 23:8 And thou shalt take no gift: for the gift
blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous. ...
/b/blindeth.htm - 7k

Perverting (6 Occurrences)

/p/perverting.htm - 8k

Perverted (26 Occurrences)

/p/perverted.htm - 13k

Uprightly (32 Occurrences)
... (KJV WBS YLT). Proverbs 10:9 He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he
that perverteth his ways shall be known. (KJV JPS ASV WBS). ...
/u/uprightly.htm - 15k

Open-'eyed (1 Occurrence)
... Open-'eyed (1 Occurrence). Exodus 23:8 And a bribe thou dost not take; for the bribe
bindeth the open-'eyed', and perverteth the words of the righteous. (YLT). ...
/o/open-'eyed.htm - 6k

Whereof (94 Occurrences)
... Luke 23:14 Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth
the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no ...
/w/whereof.htm - 36k

Fault (42 Occurrences)
... Luke 23:14 Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth
the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no ...
/f/fault.htm - 23k

Fretteth (1 Occurrence)
... Fretteth (1 Occurrence). Proverbs 19:3 The foolishness of man perverteth his way:
and his heart fretteth against the LORD. (KJV JPS ASV WBS). ...
/f/fretteth.htm - 6k

Touching (121 Occurrences)
... Luke 23:14 Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth
the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no ...
/t/touching.htm - 37k

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