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Wickedness

Culture & Society

What is the meaning of Wickedness in the Bible?

The state of being wicked; a mental disregard for justice, righteousness, truth, honor, virtue; evil in thought and life; depravity; sinfulness; criminality. Wickedness is presented as a thing of growth, beginning with a thought, then a deed, then a character, and finally a destiny.

SIGNIFICANCE

Understanding the concept of wickedness is crucial for understanding biblical teachings on morality and ethics.

Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide

Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Wickedness. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
  • Why did the biblical author mention Wickedness in this passage?
  • What cultural or historical assumption does Wickedness clarify?

Source Attribution

Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.

How to Cite This Entry

"Wickedness." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/wickedness/
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