Question—ever wonder why there are multiple words in the Bible that refer to wrong doing? If you’re like me, at some point you have casually glazed over these words many times without ever considering if they each have a different meaning.
Well guess what, they do. Which brings us to the reason for this article. Today I would like to take a brief moment and shine some much needed light on a subject that can easily be overlooked for several reasons—each term easily appears interchangeable; each term refers to wrong doing; the potential of incorrect translations; cultural differences between the original authors and societies of today; and (for those of us in America) the many synonyms that exist in the English language.
However, it is important to remember that when reading the Word of God, It is very much like everything else connected to The Father—it exists as a trinity (the number of God). The Word of God is literal, it is interpretive, and it is revelatory. Each one providing truth, but in different ways depending on the reader and their situation. Take a moment and recognize the awesomeness of God to be able to create a written text with such dept. We must always take the time to learn what the words mean so we know what the Word means (See what I did there?😁). Let’s get into it!
SIN
Up first is the top dog, sin. A consistently referenced term in the Bible and for the most part people generally have some understanding of what it means. However, are you so sure you know when you are engaging in it.
It is amazing to me how so many in the church are quick to point out the perceived sins of others while at the same time forgetting that there’s only One Begotten Son of God, and it isn’t them. Why is it so easy to point out the fact that someone else is soaking wet while sitting in a swimming pool ourselves?
The answer is simple, ignorance. Many people simply do not understand exactly what sin is. In the Hebrew, from the more primitive root Strong’s H2398, sin means: to miss; to miss the goal; or miss the right path (1). In Greek it is the Strong’s G266, which also means to miss the mark or wander from the right path (2). As we can see sin simply means to miss the mark. This is why the term has such a heavy association with archery as it references missing the intended target or goal.
Here’s an illustration for clarity. Let’s say a man takes a wife and the goal, as any marriage goal should be, is to have a successful marriage. If a successful marriage is the goal (mark), the moment either party begins taking actions that are contrary to the success of the marriage they are in sin where that marriage is concerned. Why? Because they have strayed from, or are now missing the right path. Can it be done in ignorance? Yes, it can, but only once. After that, you’re intentionally engaging in sin each time you knowingly take the action that has so clearly been pointed out to you. This is why causing intentional frustration for your spouse is a sin. This is why derogatory comments, no matter how subtle, to your spouse is a sin. Because it is causing you to miss the mark of a successful marriage.
Does this mean each party involved is the worst human being on the planet, absolutely not. It doesn’t even mean they are a bad person or no longer a Christian. What it does mean is that once the truth is revealed there should be a conscious effort on each person’s part to make sure they no longer take up those actions again. It is not for the purpose of pointing fingers. As the Word says we have all fallen short and missed the mark at one point or another—Romans 3:23. This is why we have grace 😊. Now let’s talk about transgressions.
TRANSGRESSIONS
Like sin, transgressions are relatively easily defined and similar to sin, but carry a more legal implication. Where sin exclusively deals with missing the mark, transgressions speak more to violation of specific laws. As early as the 14th century the term has carried its legality and it still remains to this day (3).
Interestingly the etymology of the word as it seems has not changed much over the course of time. We can clearly see in the Old Testament that the word, as so translated into English by various scholars, carried that same legality. This is made evident in Daniel 9:11 KJV—Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law, even by departing, that they might not obey thy voice; therefore the curse is poured upon us, and the oath that is written in the law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against him. And again, in Isaiah 24:5 KJV—The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have “transgressed” the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant. Simply put to transgress means you have committed an act that is against the established law of God. The Hebrew word that was used in Daniel 9:11 is Strong’s H5674 which in regards to legality means “to become invalid, or become obsolete” (4).
Let that sink in. Imagine your actions, your words, and even your thoughts making God’s Word obsolete and invalid in your life. That is not a life I would desire to live. Here’s a real-world example for context—It is against the law to commit theft. If you commit the act of theft or attempted theft, you have committed a transgression of the established law that regulates that particular act. Resultingly nullifying, or making obsolete the written laws that govern your freedom.
This is why the law was established in the Old Covenant so there would be a way to recognize when they had transgressed. It is the same reason laws exist today. The law was not needed for sin because sin was already in the earth. The mark had already been missed by Adam & Eve in The Garden of Eden. You may have began to get a deeper understanding of how these terms are different yet connected. If not, you will as you continue reading. For now, let’s move on to trespasses.
TRESPASS
Of this entire group trespass will most certainly be the least complex. Yet, for some reason it is the one that is most often committed against those we know and love and even those we do not know. This is because trespass is the one that requires a high level of integrity as a person, not just as a Believer.
Trespass simply means to go too far, or to go beyond the established boundary. This boundary does not have to be physically established. It can also be put in place verbally, by implication, or simply a commonly understood boundary set forth by cultural norms and humanity (5). Trespassing tends to happen when an individual refuses to regulate themselves.
For clarity we’ll again look at some real-world examples. A person who treads upon someone’s land or property without their given permission has committed a trespass. This is a physically established boundary usually indicated by fences, posted signs, and locked entry ways. Likewise, to go to your co-worker’s desk and use some of their personal items without their given permission is a trespass because you have violated or gone beyond a commonly understood boundary; and possibly an established on depending on what’s outlined in your employer’s handbook & company policies. If one individual chooses to call someone by a name that they have asked them not to call them, they have committed a trespass. This would be a verbally established boundary which is just as paramount as a physically established boundary. Your ears are no less competent than your eyes when it comes to receiving information so excuses become null and void.
This is where that integrity comes in. No matter how you feel or what you think you should be able to do, or what you perceive to be an exigent circumstance, if a boundary has been rightfully established you are obligated to respect it. You don’t have to like the boundary nor the one who established it, but you do have to respect it. For The Believer, to do contrary is sin (more clarity on this later). Finally, we are at the last but certainly not least of the bunch—iniquity.
INIQUITY
Ever checked yourself in the mirror one last time before leaving home? I know I have. Why is that? As humans we are ever conscious of how we look. We never desire to appear to be something that we know we are not. We carry driver’s licenses, work IDs, Government IDs and more all for the purpose of proving our identities should it ever be required of us. This is where iniquities come in.
Your iniquity deals with your established identity or state of existence that often results from your consistent actions (transgressions and trespasses). The Strong’s Hebrew H5771 gives us a clear picture and outline of what iniquity is. It is referenced by terms such as perversity—identifies one who is perverse, depravity—identifies one who is morally corrupt, & guilt—identifies one who is guilty of an identified crime (6). Your consistent behavior and actions over the course of time will ultimately establish your iniquity, or identity.
For instance, if a man has consistently stolen a vehicle five days per week for the duration of seven weeks his actions have identified him as a thief. We know this because there are laws in place that govern this behavior. Let’s take a look at one a bit more subtle. If a woman gets out of bed every morning for a year and takes a bowl from her cabinet. In that bowl she mixes flour and water and places it in a baking pan and bakes it, she has established herself as a baker. She may not be a very good baker, but she’s a baker nonetheless. Owning a bakery or wearing a funny hat doesn’t establish the identity, the consistent actions do. This is how people could be classified as adulterers, thieves, freeloaders, beggars, and so on. It was because of their daily consistent actions & behavioral patterns that those identities were established.
CONCLUSION
Now let’s tie all of this together. To sin means you have missed the mark. Transgression is violating the established law, which means if you violate the law by stealing, you have likewise missed the mark or strayed from the righteous path. If you likewise trespass against another by violating an established boundary, specifically one that contains a legal notification you are also committing a transgression and thereby committing sin. Hence, your identity will be established for said activities as one who is unfaithful in all things. One who cannot be trusted. One who is without integrity. See how that works. Having clarity on these subjects is not about being a know it all, it’s about gaining understanding on what led to mankind’s downfall, why we needed a Savior, and how we were saved.
The identity of a sinner was injected into the Earth by Adam & Eve. Therefore, every human born after them automatically had the identity of a sinner. The law was established to give people a stated and physical point of reference for right and wrong and to help maintain some level of right standing with God. Trespasses were outlined so mankind could be aware of the moral nature of God & to establish respect for other human beings. Your iniquities, or established identities, are the reason you needed a savior & Jesus died on the cross. Because man introduced sin in the Earth with his actions, death now had a legal claim to mankind. This is what Jesus had to undo. By not sinning, he lived and died as an innocent man. By death laying claim to a human who had not sinned, death forever lost all rights and power to claim humans because it violated the law of Sin & Death—where sin exist death now has a legal claim. It is the greatest mathematical equation ever solved—how do you undo addition, with subtraction—how do you undo division, with multiplication—how do you undo sin, by not sinning.
Be Blessed.
SOURCES
1. “H2398 – ḥāṭā’ – Strong’s Hebrew Lexicon (kjv).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 17 Sep, 2025. https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h2398/kjv/wlc/0-1/
2. “G266 – hamartia – Strong’s Greek Lexicon (kjv).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 17 Sep, 2025. https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/g266/kjv/tr/0-1/
3. “Transgression.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/transgression. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
4. “H5674 – ʿāḇar – Strong’s Hebrew Lexicon (kjv).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 17 Sep, 2025. https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h5674/kjv/wlc/0-1/
5. “Trespass.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trespass. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025. 6. “H5771 – ʿāôn – Strong’s Hebrew Lexicon (kjv).” Blue Letter Bible. Web. 17 Sep, 2025. https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h5771/kjv/wlc/0-1/
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