Lexical Summary (Not Used): (Not Used) (Not Used)Part of Speech: Transliteration: (Not Used) (Not Used) Topical Lexicon Semantic Range and BackgroundStrong’s Greek 3212 designates the relationship of a “father’s wife” who is not the biological mother of the children in the household—what we would call a step-mother. The word is attested in classical and Hellenistic Greek, as well as in the Septuagint, but it nowhere appears in the extant Greek New Testament manuscripts. Even so, the concept is clearly present in both Testaments and provides important insight into family structure, boundaries, and purity laws in biblical theology. Presence in the Septuagint In several passages where the Hebrew text speaks of “your father’s wife” (for example, Leviticus 18:8; Deuteronomy 22:30; 27:20), the Septuagint employs the cognate form of 3212. These texts are foundational for later Jewish and Christian understanding of sexual ethics inside the extended family. By translating the Hebrew term with a single Greek noun, the Septuagint underscores that the step-mother occupies a legitimate but strictly defined place within the covenant household. Old Testament Ethical Boundaries The Torah repeatedly warns against sexual relations with a step-mother. Leviticus 18:8 forbids uncovering her nakedness because “it is your father’s nakedness,” thus protecting both paternal honor and family stability. The severity of the violation is highlighted in Leviticus 20:11, which prescribes the death penalty. Deuteronomy revisits the prohibition (Deuteronomy 22:30; 27:20), embedding it in Israel’s covenantal “Blessings and Curses.” These commands taught Israel to respect God-given family order and to guard the sanctity of marriage as a reflection of His covenant fidelity. New Testament Allusions Although the precise term 3212 never occurs in the New Testament, Paul addresses a blatant breach of the Torah principle in 1 Corinthians 5:1: “It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans: A man has his father’s wife”. Paul’s response—excommunication for unrepentant immorality—confirms that apostolic teaching upheld the same moral boundaries first articulated in the Mosaic Law. Furthermore, the reference shows that early Christian communities faced real pastoral challenges involving step-family dynamics. Theological Significance 1. Covenant Holiness: The step-mother ordinances reveal that holiness extends beyond ritual observance into daily family life. Improper unions defile not only individuals but also the covenant community (Leviticus 18:24–30). Historical and Pastoral Applications • Second-Temple Judaism treated relations with a step-mother as incestuous, and rabbinic literature lists it among sins that “defile the land.” Gospel and Redemption The prohibitions surrounding the step-mother highlight humanity’s propensity to distort God’s design. Yet Christ “redeemed us from the curse of the Law” (Galatians 3:13) by bearing our violations and offering forgiveness. His atonement frees believers not to lawlessness but to Spirit-empowered obedience, enabling families—natural and blended—to reflect the holiness and love of their Redeemer. Links Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance μελῶν — 2 Occ.μέλος — 5 Occ. Μελχὶ — 2 Occ. Μελχισεδέκ — 8 Occ. ἔμελεν — 2 Occ. μέλει — 7 Occ. μελέτω — 1 Occ. μεμβράνας — 1 Occ. μέμφεται — 1 Occ. μεμφόμενος — 1 Occ. μὲν — 182 Occ. Μενοῦν — 1 Occ. μενοῦνγε — 2 Occ. μέντοι — 8 Occ. ἐμείναμεν — 2 Occ. ἔμειναν — 2 Occ. ἔμεινεν — 10 Occ. ἔμενεν — 3 Occ. ἔμενον — 1 Occ. μεῖναι — 6 Occ. |
    |