backsliding, turning away
Concise Bible Dictionary:
There are four Hebrew words applied to backsliding.
1. sug, “to go back”: “the backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways,”‘ instead of God’s ways (Prov. 14:14).
2. sarar, to act like a refractory heifer, that will not draw regularly in the plow: to which Israel is compared (Hos. 4:16).
3. meshubah, “a turning away, apostasy.” (Jer. 2:19; Jer. 3:22, 6-12; Jer. 5:6; Jer. 8:5; Jer. 14:7; Hos. 11:7; Hos. 14:4).
4. shobeb, “rebellious, backsliding.” (Jer. 3:14, 22; Jer. 31:22; Jer. 49:4). The last three words are all used of backsliding Israel. We do not find the word “backslider”‘ in the New Testament but the same sin is there pointed out, for instance the drawing back which may lead to perdition as in Hebrews. 10:38-39. See APOSTASY.
Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew Words:
Transliteration:
mshuwbah
Meaning:
or mshubah {mesh-oo-baw'}; from 7725; apostasy
KJV Usage:
backsliding, turning away