How many times is iniquity mentioned in the Bible?
The word iniquity appears 278 times in the King James Version, in 262 verses. Counting every form (iniquity, iniquities), it appears 334 times in 314 verses across 40 of the 66 books. The World English Bible uses iniquity 244 times (291 with every form).
Iniquity in the King James Version and the World English Bible
Each form of iniquity counted in each translation.
| Form | KJV | WEB |
|---|---|---|
| iniquity | 278 | 244 |
| iniquities | 56 | 47 |
| Total | 334 | 291 |
Which books mention iniquity most
Iniquity appears in 40 books of the 66 in the King James Version. Psalms has the most (62), then Ezekiel (53) and Isaiah (32).
Also in: Matthew (4), Genesis (3), Deuteronomy (3), Ezra (3), Habakkuk (3), Acts (3), Romans (3), Hebrews (3), Joshua (2), Nehemiah (2), Zephaniah (2), Zechariah (2), Malachi (2), 1 Chronicles (1), 2 Chronicles (1), Ecclesiastes (1), Amos (1), Luke (1), 1 Corinthians (1), 2 Thessalonians (1), 2 Timothy (1), Titus (1), James (1), 2 Peter (1), Revelation (1).
First and last mention of iniquity
But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.
For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.
The verse that uses it most is Exodus 34:7, 2 times (tied with Leviticus 26:39, Leviticus 26:40, Numbers 5:31, Numbers 14:18, Numbers 18:1 and 14 more):
Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.
Where the two translations differ
51 verses match in the KJV but not in the World English Bible, and 10 verses match only in the World English Bible, usually because the other translation chose a different word there.
Deuteronomy 32:4: counted in the KJV only
He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.
The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are just. A God of faithfulness who does no wrong, just and right is he.
1 Samuel 15:23: counted in the KJV only
For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as idolatry and teraphim. Because you have rejected Yahweh’s word, he has also rejected you from being king.”
2 Samuel 3:34: counted in the World English Bible only
Thy hands were not bound, nor thy feet put into fetters: as a man falleth before wicked men, so fellest thou. And all the people wept again over him.
Your hands weren’t bound, and your feet weren’t put into fetters. As a man falls before the children of iniquity, so you fell.” All the people wept again over him.
Job 11:11: counted in the World English Bible only
For he knoweth vain men: he seeth wickedness also; will he not then consider it?
For he knows false men. He sees iniquity also, even though he doesn’t consider it.
Verses with iniquity on our topic pages
25 verses that use iniquity in the World English Bible are in our topic collections.
Who is a God like you, who pardons iniquity, and passes over the disobedience of the remnant of his heritage? He doesn’t retain his anger forever, because he delights in loving kindness.
On: Forgiveness, Mercy, Sin, Forgiving Yourself
He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor repaid us for our iniquities.
On: Forgiveness, What Does the Bible Say About Pornography? 28 Verses, Forgiving Yourself
But he was pierced for our transgressions. He was crushed for our iniquities. The punishment that brought our peace was on him; and by his wounds we are healed.
I acknowledged my sin to you. I didn’t hide my iniquity. I said, I will confess my transgressions to Yahweh, and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity. Cleanse me from my sin.
Behold, I was born in iniquity. In sin my mother conceived me.
He will again have compassion on us. He will tread our iniquities under foot; and you will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.
On: Sin, Forgiving Yourself
Don’t be unequally yoked with unbelievers, for what fellowship have righteousness and iniquity? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?
On: Relationships, Dating
you shall not bow yourself down to them, nor serve them, for I, Yahweh your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and on the fourth generation of those who hate me,
On: Idolatry
Blessed is the man to whom Yahweh doesn’t impute iniquity, in whose spirit there is no deceit.
On: Blessings
But as for those who turn away to their crooked ways, Yahweh will lead them away with the workers of iniquity. Peace be on Israel.
On: Trust
It is joy to the righteous to do justice; but it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.
On: Justice
Common questions
How many times is iniquity in the Old Testament and the New Testament?
In the King James Version, counting every form, 313 of the 334 uses are in the Old Testament and 21 in the New Testament. Iniquity appears in 40 books of the 66 in the King James Version. Psalms has the most (62), then Ezekiel (53) and Isaiah (32).
Where is iniquity first mentioned in the Bible?
The first use in the King James Version is Genesis 15:16: "But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full." The last is Revelation 18:5.
More word counts: sin, wicked, meek, beast, flower, feast, word, husband, or all 680 words.
Counted by Bible Says About from the full public-domain text of the King James Version (1769 edition) and the World English Bible. Verse text only: headings and psalm titles are left out. A word is a run of letters: a hyphenated name like Beer-sheba counts as two, and an apostrophe stays inside its word (LORD'S is one). Matching ignores capital letters. Data compiled 2026-10-26.