When was "homosexual" first included in the Bible? Historical Context of the Term The English word “homosexual” did not exist in early Bible translations. When scholars rendered Scripture into English from Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek centuries ago (e.g., Wycliffe’s Bible in the 1300s, Tyndale’s in the 1500s, and the King James Version in 1611), words like “sodomite,” “abusers of themselves with mankind,” or phrases describing men lying with men often appeared instead. These earlier translators were grappling with how best to convey the original Hebrew and Greek words referring to same-sex practices. Over time, shifts in the English language and the rise of modern medical and psychological terminology in the 19th and 20th centuries caused translators to adopt more technical or contemporary words. The term “homosexual” entered broad English usage around the late 1800s, which then influenced certain Bible translations from the mid-20th century onward. Below is a close look at how this term made its way into English Bibles, along with the relevant Scriptures, manuscript evidence, and references to help answer the question: “When was ‘homosexual’ first included in the Bible?” Original Language Terms The key Greek words relevant to this topic are usually found in New Testament passages like 1 Corinthians 6:9 and 1 Timothy 1:10: • ἀρσενοκοῖται (arsenokoitai) • μαλακοί (malakoi) In 1 Corinthians 6:9, for example, the text reads: “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…” In the Greek manuscript traditions (e.g., Codex Sinaiticus and Codex Vaticanus), the term ἀρσενοκοῖται has posed challenges to translators. It is formed from ἄρσην (arsēn, meaning “male”) and κοίτη (koitē, meaning “bed” or “lying with”). The word suggests the idea of males lying with males sexually—hence, many translations use language such as “men who practice homosexuality” or “homosexual offenders.” The earliest Hebrew references (e.g., Leviticus 18:22, 20:13) do not use the English word “homosexual,” but rather forbid a male lying with a male as with a female. That prohibition, in the original Hebrew, reflects a moral code that would later be recognized in Greek and translated into English centuries afterward. Translations Through the Centuries 1. Early English Renderings (Pre-20th Century) • John Wycliffe (14th century) translated from the Latin Vulgate and used phrases akin to “they that do lechery with men.” • William Tyndale (16th century) rendered some passages referring to “abusers of themselves with mankind” (a description also retained by the King James Version in 1611). • Common expressions in older translations included “sodomites,” “effeminate,” or “abusers of themselves with mankind.” None of these early translations used the term “homosexual” simply because that English term did not yet exist in common usage. 2. Introduction of Modern Terminology (20th Century) • Around the late 19th to early 20th century, medical and psychological fields introduced the term “homosexuality” (derived from combining a Greek root with a Latin root). • By the mid-20th century (some note 1946’s Revised Standard Version as an example, though the earliest usage of the English word “homosexual” in a Bible translation can vary by edition and translator), certain English translators began rendering the Greek terms arsenokoitai and malakoi using “homosexual” or “homosexual offender.” The shift reflected societal and linguistic changes, rather than a change in the underlying biblical manuscripts. The original Hebrew and Greek texts remained the same; it was English usage that evolved to include a term more clinical or direct in meaning. Earliest Known Inclusion of “Homosexual” Modern research often cites mid-20th-century translations (notably the 1946 Revised Standard Version) as among the first major, widely circulated English Bibles to employ the word “homosexual.” However, some earlier, less mainstream commentaries or translations might have used the term sporadically in the late 1800s or early 1900s. Regardless of the precise first date, the important point is that the biblical injunctions against same-sex behavior predate the English word by millennia. The origin of those scriptural passages in Hebrew and Greek is deeply rooted in ancient texts (as confirmed by the Dead Sea Scrolls, which verify the integrity of the Old Testament text over centuries, and the early Greek manuscript tradition confirming New Testament transmission). Manuscript Evidence and Consistency Archaeological discoveries such as the Dead Sea Scrolls (primarily dating from 3rd century BC to 1st century AD) demonstrate remarkable consistency with the traditional Hebrew text of the Old Testament. The moral statutes in Leviticus, which address same-sex unions, have remained stable across the centuries. For the New Testament, key manuscripts like Codex Sinaiticus (4th century) and Codex Vaticanus (4th century) preserve passages containing the Greek terms for men having sexual relations with men. Textual critics such as those who contributed to the Nestle-Aland Greek New Testament confirm that these words have not been inserted or modified in a way that would alter their core meaning. Thus, while the English expression “homosexual” is relatively recent, the original textual references to men lying with men can be traced to the earliest extant manuscripts. Relevant Biblical Passages Several passages address same-sex practice. While the English phrasing has varied, the biblical stance traces back to the earliest manuscripts: • Leviticus 18:22 – “You must not lie with a man as with a woman; this is an abomination.” • Romans 1:26–27 – Discusses women exchanging natural relations and men committing “shameless acts with other men.” • 1 Corinthians 6:9–10 – Includes the phrase “men who submit to or perform homosexual acts” alongside other practices considered sinful. • 1 Timothy 1:9–10 – Lists “the sexually immoral” and references to men lying with men, depending on the translation tradition of arsenokoitai. These verses indicate that, while the exact English term “homosexual” is modern, the core moral teaching remains present in the earliest manuscripts and translations using older English phrases. Outside Sources and Historical Writings Outside the Scriptural texts, various early Jewish and Christian writings (for example, certain sections of the Talmud and the Apostolic Fathers’ writings) echo the biblical moral code. They reiterate a prohibition against same-sex acts, consistent with the Old Testament Levitical laws and Paul’s letters in the New Testament. From a historical standpoint, these references underscore that the moral teaching existed long before English Bibles adopted the term “homosexual.” The condemnation of same-sex behavior was recognized across multiple centuries and cultures, even where differences in terminology existed. Philosophical and Behavioral Implications Scripture’s stance on sexuality, including same-sex activity, is woven into a broader framework of moral teachings. According to the biblical narrative, human sexuality reflects divine design. Thus, translators—past and present—have taken care to convey accurately the moral prescriptions of the original text, even if the English terminology changes over time. The translation process involves balancing linguistic faithfulness (adhering closely to the Hebrew and Greek) and dynamic clarity (making the meaning understandable to modern readers). When “homosexual” began appearing in Bibles, it was largely an effort to use a contemporary, recognizable word for an ancient concept already present in the text. Conclusion “Homosexual” first appeared in mainstream English Bible translations in the mid-20th century, notably around the publication of revised translations such as the 1946 RSV. This inclusion arose from evolving English usage—not from any change in the underlying biblical manuscripts. The earliest Hebrew and Greek Scriptures already addressed same-sex practices, using terms that have been transmitted with remarkable consistency over millennia. Whether older translations used phrases like “sodomite” or “abusers of themselves with mankind,” or modern translations use “homosexual,” the core biblical teaching derives from the unaltered original text. Archaeological finds (such as the Dead Sea Scrolls), the manuscript tradition, and historical church writings collectively confirm that these passages have been part of Scripture’s testimony throughout history. Today, the term “homosexual” helps readers understand in modern language what has long been presented in texts that remain consistent from their earliest forms. |
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