The Hebrew word :רָשַׁע, rasha occurs 34 times in the Old Testament: accounted (1), acted (1), behaved (1), condemn (10), condemned (2), condemning (1), condemns (3), guilty (1), punishment (1), wicked (3), wickedly (10). When it speaks of condemnation of people, the Scriptures don’t specify what the nature of that condemnation is. It’s generic. However, there is one instance of the condemnation resulting in death (Psalm 94:21). There is another instance where the punishment is experienced by people for a while when Saul afflicted his enemies (1 Sam. 14:47). So, the summation is that aside from the generic because of the condemnation, we have one instance where it results in death and another where punishment is experienced for a period of time. This does not lend support to the annihilationist idea that God’s punishment in the final judgment is not experienced, but is ‘nothingness.’
- Condemnation
- Ex. 22:9, Deut. 25:1, 1 Kings 8:32; Job 9:20; 10:2; 15:6; 32:3; 34:17; 34:29; Psalm 37:33; Prov. 12:2; 17:15; Is. 50:9; 54:17
- Condemnation to death
- Psalm 94:21
- Ongoing experience of punishment
- 1 Sam. 14:47
- Hebrew word::רָשַׁע, rasha,
Meaning: to condemn, punish - Strong’s #: H7561
- Frequency: 34 occurrences in the Old Testament
| TABLE OF ALL OLD TESTAMENT USAGES OF RASHA, רָשַׁע | ||
| Address | Verse | Meaning |
| Exod. 22:9 | “For every breach of trust, whether it is for ox, for donkey, for sheep, for clothing, or for any lost thing about which one says, ‘This is it,’ the case of both parties shall come before the judges; he whom the judges condemn shall pay double to his neighbor. | Condemnation |
| Deut. 25:1 | If there is a dispute between men and they go to court, and the judges decide their case, and they justify the righteous and condemn the wicked, | Condemnation |
| 1 Kings 8:32 | then hear in heaven and act and judge Your servants, condemning the wicked by bringing his way on his own head and justifying the righteous by giving him according to his righteousness. | Condemnation |
| 1 Sam. 14:47 | Now when Saul had taken the kingdom over Israel, he fought against all his enemies on every side, against Moab, the sons of Ammon, Edom, the kings of Zobah, and the Philistines; and wherever he turned, he inflicted punishment. | Ongoing Experience |
| Job 9:20 | Though I am righteous, my mouth will condemn me. Though I am guiltless, He will declare me guilty. | Condemnation |
| Job 10:2 | “I will say to God, ‘Do not condemn me; Let me know why You contend with me. | Condemnation |
| Job 15:6 | “Your own mouth condemns you, and not I; and your own lips testify against you. | Condemnation |
| Job 32:3 | And his anger burned against his three friends because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job. | Condemnation |
| Job 34:17 | “Shall one who hates justice rule? And will you condemn the righteous mighty One, | Condemnation |
| Job 34:29 | When He keeps quiet, who then can condemn? And when He hides His face, who then can behold Him, | Condemnation |
| Psalm 37:33 | The LORD will not leave him in his hand or let him be condemned when he is judged. | Condemnation |
| Psalm 94:21 | They band themselves together against the life of the righteous and condemn the innocent to death. | Condemnation to death |
| Proverbs 12:2 | A good man will obtain favor from the LORD, but He will condemn a man who devises evil. | Condemnation |
| Proverbs 17:15 | He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD. | Condemnation |
| Isaiah 50:9 | Behold, the Lord GOD helps Me. Who is he who condemns Me? Behold, they will all wear out like a garment. The moth will eat them. | Condemnation |
| Isaiah 54:17 | No weapon that is formed against you will prosper. And every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their vindication is from Me,” declares the LORD. | Condemnation |
