Original Word: מֻטֶּה
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: mutteh
Pronunciation: moot-teh'
Phonetic Spelling: (moot-teh')
KJV: perverseness
NASB: perversion
Word Origin: [from H5186 (נָטָה - stretched)]

1. a stretching, i.e. distortion (figuratively, iniquity)

perverseness

From natah; a stretching, i.e. Distortion (figuratively, iniquity) -- perverseness.

see HEBREW natah

Word Origin
from natah
Definition
that which is perverted, perverted justice
NASB Translation
perversion (1).

מֻטֶּה noun [masculine] that which is perverted, justice (see √ Hiph`il 3 g); — only ׳וְהָעִיר מָֽלְאָה מ Ezekiel 9:9 (as above Ke Sm Da Berthol Toy RV > perverseness AV) > Co חָמָס (as Ezekiel 7:23).

Summary of Meaning

מֻטֶּה depicts something “bent” or “turned aside,” and by extension describes moral distortion. Its single appearance in Ezekiel 9:9 captures the spiritual state of Jerusalem as “full of perversity”, highlighting a society that has departed from the straight paths of the Lord.

Old Testament Context

In Ezekiel’s vision the executioners move through the city after the faithful remnant has been marked for preservation (Ezekiel 9:3-6). The word מֻטֶּה characterizes the community’s sin as a deliberate twisting of covenant expectations. The surrounding chapters expose pervasive idolatry, bloodshed, and injustice (Ezekiel 8:5-18; 11:1-12), presenting a comprehensive picture of “bent” worship and ethics that provoked divine judgment.

Other Hebrew expressions of crookedness—though using different vocabulary—reinforce the same theme:
• “They have acted corruptly… they are a crooked generation” (Deuteronomy 32:5).
• “Whose ways are crooked, and who are devious in their paths” (Proverbs 2:15).
• “Their paths are twisted; no one who walks in them will know peace” (Isaiah 59:8).

Together these passages trace a consistent biblical motif: righteousness is a straight path; sin is a deviation.

Theological Significance

1. Covenant Deviation: Israel’s calling was to “walk in all the ways” God commanded (Deuteronomy 5:33). מֻטֶּה underscores that sin is not merely breaking rules but bending away from relational fidelity to the Lord.
2. Judicial Certainty: Because God’s character is perfectly just, persistent perversity incurs certain judgment (Ezekiel 9:10). The vision affirms that divine patience has limits when rebellion becomes systemic.
3. Remnant Assurance: Even amid widespread crookedness the Lord distinguishes those who “sigh and groan over all the abominations” (Ezekiel 9:4). This balances severe judgment with mercy toward repentant hearts.

Moral and Prophetic Application

Ezekiel’s use of מֻטֶּה speaks prophetically to any culture that normalizes wrongdoing: entrenched violence, exploitation, and idolatry eventually invite divine reckoning. Ministries today are called to:
• Expose moral distortion with prophetic clarity (Isaiah 58:1).
• Lead believers to “make level paths for your feet” (Proverbs 4:26).
• Cultivate lament for society’s sins rather than accommodation (James 4:9).

New Testament Parallels

The Greek term σκολιός (“crooked”) evokes the same idea:
• “Save yourselves from this crooked generation” (Acts 2:40).
• “Shine as lights in the world in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation” (Philippians 2:15).

Both Testaments therefore present a unified call: God’s people must remain straight and true amid pervasive deviation.

Practical Ministry Insights

• Preaching: Use Ezekiel 9:9 to illustrate that sin warps both worship and social ethics.
• Discipleship: Emphasize the spiritual disciplines that keep believers aligned with God’s straight path—prayer, Scripture intake, accountability.
• Pastoral Care: Encourage lament and intercession for societal sins, following the model of the marked remnant.
• Apologetics: Address claims that God ignores injustice by pointing to Ezekiel 9:9—He sees and acts.

Conclusion

מֻטֶּה, though rare, conveys a timeless warning: when a people bend away from God’s standards, they expose themselves to holy judgment. Yet within the very announcement of wrath lies hope for those who remain upright, reminding the Church to hold fast to the straight way of the Lord and to call the world back from its crooked paths.

מֻטֶּ֑ה מטה muṭ·ṭeh mutTeh muṭṭehInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts