Topical Encyclopedia Definition and Context:Adultery, in biblical terms, refers to a married person engaging in sexual relations with someone other than their spouse. Specifically, when a man commits adultery with another man's wife, it is considered a grave sin and a violation of the marital covenant. This act is condemned throughout the Scriptures and is seen as an offense not only against the spouse but also against God. Biblical References: 1. The Ten Commandments: The prohibition against adultery is explicitly stated in the Ten Commandments. Exodus 20:14 declares, "You shall not commit adultery." This commandment underscores the sanctity of marriage and the importance of fidelity. 2. Levitical Law: The Mosaic Law provides specific instructions regarding adultery. Leviticus 20:10 states, "If a man commits adultery with another man's wife—if he commits adultery with his neighbor's wife—both the adulterer and the adulteress must surely be put to death." This severe penalty highlights the seriousness with which adultery was regarded in ancient Israelite society. 3. Wisdom Literature: The Book of Proverbs offers warnings against the allure and consequences of adultery. Proverbs 6:32-33 warns, "He who commits adultery lacks judgment; whoever does so destroys himself. Wounds and dishonor will befall him, and his reproach will never be wiped away." This passage emphasizes the self-destructive nature of adultery and the lasting shame it brings. 4. Prophetic Writings: The prophets often used the metaphor of adultery to describe Israel's unfaithfulness to God. For instance, Jeremiah 3:8 uses the imagery of adultery to illustrate Israel's idolatry: "Because faithless Israel had committed adultery, I gave her a certificate of divorce and sent her away." This metaphor underscores the spiritual implications of adultery as a breach of covenant. 5. New Testament Teachings: Jesus addresses the issue of adultery in the Sermon on the Mount, expanding the understanding of the sin beyond physical acts. Matthew 5:27-28 records Jesus' words: "You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart." This teaching emphasizes the importance of purity in thought as well as in action. 6. Pauline Epistles: The Apostle Paul reiterates the prohibition against adultery in his letters. In 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 , Paul lists adulterers among those who will not inherit 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... will inherit the kingdom of God." This passage underscores the moral expectations for believers. Cultural and Theological Implications: Adultery, particularly involving a man and another man's wife, was not only a personal sin but also a social and communal issue in biblical times. It disrupted family structures, violated social norms, and was seen as an affront to divine law. The biblical narrative consistently portrays adultery as a serious breach of trust and fidelity, with significant spiritual and relational consequences. Subtopics Man of Every Nation, Made of One Blood Man: Able to Sustain Bodily Affliction Man: All the Ways of, Clean in his own Eyes Man: Allowed to Eat Flesh After the Flood Man: Called: The Potsherd of the Earth Man: Cannot Retain his Spirit from Death Man: Christ is the Head of Every Man: Christ was Found in Fashion As Man: Christ: A Refuge As, to Sinners Man: Christ: Approved of God As Man: Christ: As Such, is the Cause of the Resurrection Man: Christ: Called the Second, As Covenant Head of the Church Man: Christ: Made in the Image of Man: Christ: Took on Him Nature of Man: Clothed by God With Skins Man: Compared to a Wild Donkey's Colt Man: Compared to Clay in the Potter's Hand Man: Covered Himself With Fig Leaves Man: Created by the Holy Spirit Man: Created in Knowledge (Inferred) Man: Created in the Image of God Man: Created: A Type of Christ Man: Created: After Consultation, by the Trinity Man: Created: After the Likeness of God Man: Created: On the Sixth Day Man: Created: Under Obligations to Obedience Man: Days of, As the Days of a Hireling Man: Days of, Compared to a Shadow Man: Design of the Creation of Man: Disobeyed God by Eating Part of the Forbidden Fruit Man: Every Herb and Tree Given To, for Food Man: Fearfully and Wonderfully Made Man: Filled With Shame After the Fall Man: Gave Names to Other Creatures Man: God: Destroys the Hopes of Man: God: Makes his Beauty Consume Away Man: God: Makes the Wrath of, to Praise Him Man: God: Orders the Goings of Man: God: Prepares the Heart of Man: God: Turns to Destruction Man: God's Purpose in Creation Completed by Making Man: Has an Appointed Time on the Earth Man: Has Sought out Many Inventions Man: Ignorant of What is Good for Him Man: Ignorant of What is to Come After Him Man: Intellect of, Matured by Age Man: Involved Posterity in his Ruin Man: Little Lower than the Angels Man: Made by God in his Successive Generations Man: Made Wise by the Inspiration of the Almighty Man: More Valuable than Other Creatures Man: Nature and Constitution of, Different from Other Creatures Man: Not Good For, to be Alone Man: Not Profited by all his Labour and Travail Man: Ordinary Limit of his Life Man: Originally Naked and not Ashamed Man: Placed in the Garden of Eden Man: Possessed of Understanding Man: Punished for Disobedience Man: Quickened by the Breath of God Man: Received Dominion Over Other Creatures Man: Shall be Recompensed According to his Works Man: Sinks Under Trouble of Mind Man: Wiser than Other Creatures Man: Woman Formed to be a Help For Man: Would Give all his Possessions for the Preservation of Life Related Terms |