733. arsenokoites

Lexicon

arsenokoites: Homosexual, sodomite

Original Word: ἀρσενοκοίτης
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: arsenokoites
Pronunciation: ar-se-no-KOI-tace
Phonetic Spelling: (ar-sen-ok-oy'-tace)
Definition: Homosexual, sodomite
Meaning: a male engaging in same-gender sexual activity; a sodomite, pederast.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

homosexual

From arrhen and koite; a sodomite -- abuser of (that defile) self with mankind.

see GREEK arrhen

see GREEK koite

HELPS Word-studies

733 arsenokoítēs (from 730 /árrhēn, "a male" and 2845 /koítē, "a mat, bed") – properly, a man in bed with another man; a homosexual.

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 733: ἀρσενοκοίτης

ἀρσενοκοίτης, ἀρσενοκοιτου, ὁ (ἄρσην a male; κοίτη a bed), one who lies with a male as with a female, a sodomite: 1 Corinthians 6:9; 1 Timothy 1:10. (Anthol. 9, 686, 5; ecclesiastical writings.)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from two Greek words: ἄρσην (arsēn), meaning "male," and κοίτη (koitē), meaning "bed" or "lying down." The compound suggests a meaning related to "lying with a male."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The concept addressed by ἀρσενοκοίτης in the New Testament is related to prohibitions found in the Old Testament, particularly in Leviticus. The corresponding Hebrew terms include:
• H2145 (זָכָר, zakar): Meaning "male," used in Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13, where male same-sex relations are explicitly prohibited.
• H4904 (מִשְׁכָּב, mishkav): Meaning "bed" or "lying down," used in contexts related to sexual relations.

These Hebrew terms provide the foundational context for understanding the New Testament usage of ἀρσενοκοίτης, reflecting continuity in the biblical witness regarding sexual ethics.

Usage: The term appears in the New Testament in two passages, both authored by the Apostle Paul. It is used in contexts that list behaviors considered sinful or contrary to sound doctrine.

Context: • Contextual Analysis: The term ἀρσενοκοίτης is found in 1 Corinthians 6:9 and 1 Timothy 1:10. In 1 Corinthians 6:9, Paul lists it among other behaviors that will prevent individuals from inheriting the kingdom of God: "Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts..." (BSB). In 1 Timothy 1:10, it is included in a list of behaviors that are contrary to sound doctrine: "for the sexually immoral, for homosexuals, for slave traders and liars and perjurers, and for anyone else who is averse to sound teaching..." (BSB).
• Theological Implications: The use of ἀρσενοκοίτης in these passages has been the subject of much theological discussion. From a conservative perspective, it is often interpreted as a clear prohibition against homosexual acts, aligning with the broader biblical narrative that upholds heterosexual marriage as the intended context for sexual relations.
• Historical and Cultural Considerations: The term is relatively rare in ancient Greek literature, suggesting that Paul may have coined it or adapted it from existing language to address specific behaviors within the Greco-Roman context. The cultural backdrop of the Roman Empire, where various forms of sexual expression were practiced, provides a setting for understanding why Paul might address such issues directly.
• Linguistic Notes: The compound nature of the word, combining "male" and "bed," directly points to the act of males lying together, which is consistent with the prohibitions found in the Old Testament against male same-sex relations.

Forms and Transliterations

άρσεις αρσενοκοιται αρσενοκοίται ἀρσενοκοῖται αρσενοκοιταις αρσενοκοίταις ἀρσενοκοίταις άρσεων άρσιν άρσις αρτάβας arsenokoitai arsenokoîtai arsenokoitais arsenokoítais

Englishman's Concordance

1 Corinthians 6:9 N-NMP
GRK: μαλακοὶ οὔτε ἀρσενοκοῖται
NAS: effeminate, nor homosexuals,
KJV: nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
INT: effeminate nor homosexuals

1 Timothy 1:10 N-DMP
GRK: πόρνοις ἀρσενοκοίταις ἀνδραποδισταῖς ψεύσταις
NAS: and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers
KJV: For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers,
INT: the sexually immoral homosexuals men-stealers liars

Strong's Greek 733
2 Occurrences

ἀρσενοκοῖται — 1 Occ.
ἀρσενοκοίταις — 1 Occ.