📖 Biblical Definition
Scripture uses three different Hebrew nouns for moral wrong, each with its own shade — and modern English flattens all three to "sin," losing the precision. Chatta’at (חַטָּאת) is sin in the sense of missing the mark, falling short of God’s standard — the everyday word for moral failure (Genesis 4:7; Exodus 32:30). Avon (עָוֹן) is iniquity — twistedness, perverse moral crookedness, the inward bent of the fallen nature (Psalm 51:5; Isaiah 53:5). Pesha (פֶּשַׁע) is transgression — rebellion, willful breach of covenant, conscious revolt against the King (Psalm 51:1, 3; Isaiah 53:5, 8). Psalm 32:1-2 uses all three at once: "Blessed is he whose transgression [pesha] is forgiven, whose sin [chatta’at] is covered." The gospel covers all three.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
Three distinct Hebrew nouns for moral wrong.
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Three Hebrew nouns Scripture uses for moral wrong, each carrying a distinct shade. Chatta'at: sin as missing the mark, falling short. Avon: iniquity as twistedness or moral crookedness. Pesha: transgression as willful covenant-breaking rebellion. Psalm 32, Psalm 51, and Isaiah 53 all distinguish them. English translations often flatten the three into "sin."
📖 Key Scripture
Psalm 32:1-2 — "Blessed is he whose transgression (pesha) is forgiven, whose sin (chatta'at) is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity (avon)."
Psalm 51:1-2 — "Have mercy upon me, O God... blot out my transgressions (pesha). Wash me throughly from mine iniquity (avon), and cleanse me from my sin (chatta'at)."
Isaiah 53:5 — "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern translations and casual use flatten the three to "sin," losing the diagnostic precision the Hebrew prophets and psalmists used.
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When you say only "sin," you lose two-thirds of the diagnostic vocabulary. Iniquity is the bend in the heart; transgression is the breach of the covenant; sin is the missing of the mark. Each requires a slightly different gospel-application.
Recover the precision: David in Psalm 51 isn't being verbose — he is naming three distinct kinds of wrong he has done, and asking the LORD to address each. Christ on the cross bore all three (Isa 53:5).
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Hebrew chatta'at, avon, pesha.
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['Hebrew', 'H2403', "chatta'at", 'sin, missing the mark']
['Hebrew', 'H5771', 'avon', 'iniquity, twistedness']
['Hebrew', 'H6588', 'pesha', 'transgression, rebellion']
Usage
"Sin misses the mark; iniquity twists; transgression rebels."
"Christ bore all three at the cross."
"Read Psalm 51 with the three categories in mind."