be evil
ra.a denotes wrongdoing and harmful action, and can describe a matter or response judged unfavorably.
The term most often marks wrongful conduct or persons characterized by such conduct; it also describes causing injury or calamity and, in several Qal clauses, a matter, request, heart, or appearance regarded unfavorably.
Senses in use
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Wrongdoing and those who commit it · dominant
Hiphil forms describe conduct condemned as wrongful: in 1 Kings 14:9 the king's making other gods is rendered “done more evil,” and in Jeremiah 38:9 men are charged for throwing Jeremiah into the pit. Active participles identify people by such conduct in Isaiah 1:4 and Jeremiah 20:13, where the APB renders them “evildoers.”
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Inflicting harm or calamity · common
Hiphil forms occur where an agent acts against someone: in Deuteronomy 26:6 the Egyptians' treatment of the people is rendered “mistreated,” while Exodus 5:22 and Exodus 5:23 speak of evil brought upon the people. A prohibitive Hiphil jussive in 1 Chronicles 16:22 is rendered “do no harm.”
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Regarded as unfavorable or objectionable · occasional
Qal forms describe an unfavorable evaluation or disposition. In 1 Samuel 8:6 the request for a king is rendered as having displeased Samuel, and in Genesis 48:17 Joseph's response to his father's hand placement is similarly rendered “displeased him.” In Deuteronomy 15:10, the clause concerns a heart's adverse response when giving.
In the Anselm Project Bible: Across these verses the APB uses wording such as “done evil,” “evildoers,” “harm,” “mistreated,” and “displeased.” Because the APB translates whole clauses rather than aligning each Hebrew token, these renderings indicate the verse context rather than fixed English equivalents.