When was the last time you used the word “iniquity?” Admittedly, it is not one of those words that leaps to one’s mind. It sounds somewhat archaic and perhaps reserved to a fire-and-brimstone preacher. Iniquity is not exactly the same as sin. Iniquity describes something as being wicked or immoral in nature or character. It is not an action like sin, but rather the character of the action”. We have a hint of that in the phrase “the iniquity of my sin” (Psalms 32:5). Iniquity can be described as the essence of wrongdoing or evil.

The Hebrew word “avon” is related to “avah”, crooked or bent over. One gets a hint that even before the act of a sin, the person is “avah” is already “crooked.” And that lets one understand there is a fundamental moral stance, action, and consequences in avon which speaks not to a single act, but to fundamental character.

The image above, 30 pieces of silver, the Biblical price of treason perhaps makes the point. It is not simply the act of treason – that is the sin and the transgression – but there is something more intrinsic in the character of the person – that is the iniquity. All of this and more is explained in another great video from the folks at The Bible Project.

The Bible Project is a non-for-profit organization that depends on our support. If you would like to support their efforts with a donation, you can reach them here.