Pesha

Pesha is a Hebrew noun (פֶּשַׁע, pesha’ or pesha) meaning transgression or rebellion. In biblical Hebrew it denotes a deliberate violation of a covenant, command, or settled authority, often implying willful opposition to God or to moral or legal obligations. In English Bible translations it is typically rendered as “transgression” or “rebellion,” and it is commonly contrasted with other Hebrew terms for wrongdoing, such as avon (iniquity) and chatat (sin), which carry different nuances.

Etymology and usage. Pesha derives from the Semitic root פ-ש-ע, associated with breaking, breach, or revolt. Within the Hebrew Bible, the term is used to describe offenses that involve conscious choice and opposition rather than accidental mistakes. Its usage spans individuals, communities, and nations that violate agreements, commandments, or norms laid out in the covenantal framework of Israel.

Modern usage. Pesha also appears as a feminine given name in Jewish communities, with spelling variants such as Pesha or Peshe. In those contexts, the name is carried as a cultural or familial identifier rather than a direct statement about the biblical meaning, though it is ultimately connected to the same linguistic root.

In scholarly and religious contexts, pesha is treated as a distinct category of wrongdoing—specifically deliberate breach or rebellion—within discussions of biblical ethics, law, and prophetic admonition.