Copulation, in the context of the Bible, refers to the act of sexual intercourse. It is a topic addressed in various passages, reflecting its significance in the covenantal, moral, and social aspects of biblical teaching. The Bible presents copulation within the framework of marriage, emphasizing its role in procreation, intimacy, and the expression of love between a husband and wife.

Biblical Foundation

The foundational understanding of copulation is established in the creation narrative. Genesis 1:28 states, "God blessed them and said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it.'" This command underscores the procreative purpose of sexual union. In Genesis 2:24 , the institution of marriage is described: "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh." The phrase "one flesh" is often interpreted as a reference to the physical and spiritual union achieved through copulation.

Moral and Ethical Considerations

The Bible sets clear boundaries for sexual behavior, confining copulation to the marriage relationship. Adultery, fornication, and other forms of sexual immorality are condemned. Exodus 20:14 commands, "You shall not commit adultery," highlighting the sanctity of the marital bond. The New Testament reiterates this standard, as seen in Hebrews 13:4 : "Marriage should be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers."

Procreation and Family

Copulation is closely linked to the blessing of children and the continuation of family lineage. Psalm 127:3 declares, "Children are indeed a heritage from the LORD, and the fruit of the womb is His reward." The Bible views children as a divine blessing, and copulation within marriage is the means by which this blessing is often realized.

Intimacy and Love

Beyond procreation, copulation serves as an expression of love and intimacy between spouses. The Song of Solomon celebrates the beauty and passion of marital love, illustrating the joy and fulfillment found in the sexual union of husband and wife. 1 Corinthians 7:3-5 advises, "The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband. Likewise, the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife. Do not deprive one another, except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again, so that Satan will not tempt you through your lack of self-control."

Warnings and Consequences

The Bible warns against the misuse of copulation outside the bounds of marriage. Sexual immorality is frequently associated with spiritual and social consequences. In 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 , believers are admonished, "Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a man can commit is outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body."

Conclusion

The biblical perspective on copulation is deeply intertwined with the principles of marriage, fidelity, and holiness. It is portrayed as a gift from God, intended for the mutual benefit and joy of spouses, the propagation of life, and the strengthening of the marital covenant.1. (n.) The act of coupling or joining; union; conjunction.

2. (n.) The coming together of male and female in the act of generation; sexual union; coition.

8385a. taanah -- occasion or time of copulation
... 8385, 8385a. taanah. 8385b . occasion or time of copulation. Transliteration:
taanah Short Definition: heat. Word Origin from anah ...
/hebrew/8385a.htm - 5k

7903. shekobeth -- copulation
... 7902, 7903. shekobeth. 7904 . copulation. Transliteration: shekobeth Phonetic
Spelling: (shek-o'-beth) Short Definition: intercourse. ...
/hebrew/7903.htm - 6k

8385. ta'anah -- occasion or time of copulation
ta'anah. 8384, 8385. ta'anah. 8385a . occasion or time of copulation.
Transliteration: ta'anah Phonetic Spelling: (tah-an-aw') Short Definition: tree. ...
/hebrew/8385.htm - 5k

7902. shekabah -- (act of) lying, a layer
... copulation, seed. From shakab; a lying down (of dew, or for the sexual act) -- X
carnally, copulation, X lay, seed. see HEBREW shakab. 7901, 7902. ...
/hebrew/7902.htm - 6k

7250. raba -- to lie stretched out, lie down
... let gender, lie down. A primitive root; to squat or lie out flat, ie (specifically)
in copulation -- let gender, lie down. 7249, 7250. raba. 7251 . ...
/hebrew/7250.htm - 6k

5674. abar -- to pass over, through, or by, pass on
... very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive,
intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in copulation) -- alienate, alter ...
/hebrew/5674.htm - 6k

Whether Impotence is an Impediment to Marriage?
... For carnal copulation is not essential to marriage, since marriage is
more perfect when both parties observe continency by vow. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether impotence is an impediment.htm

Whether the Unnatural vice is a Species of Lust?
... First, by procuring pollution, without any copulation, for the sake of venereal
pleasure: this pertains to the sin of "uncleanness" which some call "effeminacy ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the unnatural vice is.htm

Whether Unlawful Intercourse Causes Affinity?
... blood-relationship. But there is carnal copulation even in unlawful intercourse.
Therefore unlawful intercourse causes affinity. I ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether unlawful intercourse causes affinity.htm

Whether Union is the Same as Assumption?
... iii, 11): "Union is one thing, incarnation is another; for union demands mere
copulation, and leaves unsaid the end of the copulation; but incarnation and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether union is the same.htm

Whether virginity Consists in Integrity of the Flesh?
... Objection 4: Further, corruption of the flesh consists chiefly in resolution of
the semen: and this may take place without copulation, whether one be asleep or ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether virginity consists in integrity.htm

He Compels to the Perpetration of Horrible Turpitudes.
... Let the wretches deluded and hunted by deadly error give heed to this at least,
that if a part of their God is fettered by the copulation of males and females ...
/.../chapter 47 name compels to.htm

Whether a Spell Can be an Impediment to Marriage?
... Objection 4: Further, carnal copulation cannot be hindered, unless there be
an impediment to the generative power which is its principle. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether a spell can be.htm

Whether the Unnatural vice is the Greatest Sin among the Species ...
... Wherefore among sins against nature, the lowest place belongs to the sin of uncleanness,
which consists in the mere omission of copulation with another. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the unnatural vice is 2.htm

Whether Simple Fornication is a Mortal Sin?
... Nor should such a copulation be strictly called fornication, though it
be so called in reference to the general course of things. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether simple fornication is a.htm

Whether Consanguinity is an Impediment to Marriage by virtue of ...
... according to their various conditions. But carnal copulation with parents is
derogatory to the reverence due to them. For just as nature ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether consanguinity is an impediment.htm

Copulation (11 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) The coming together of male and female in the act of generation; sexual
union; coition. Multi-Version Concordance Copulation (11 Occurrences). ...
/c/copulation.htm - 10k

Flow (85 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Leviticus 15:16 And if any man's seed of copulation go out from him, then
he shall bathe all his flesh in water, and be unclean until the even. (See JPS) ...
/f/flow.htm - 32k

Flux (26 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Leviticus 15:32 This is the law for him that hath a flux, and for the one
whose seed of copulation goeth from him, and who is defiled therewith: (DBY). ...
/f/flux.htm - 16k

Uncleanness (56 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 15:32 This 'is' the law of him who hath an issue, and of him whose seed
of copulation goeth out from him, for uncleanness thereby, (YLT). ...
/u/uncleanness.htm - 38k

Coptic

/c/coptic.htm - 11k

Copy (18 Occurrences)

/c/copy.htm - 13k

Leap (20 Occurrences)
... 8. (n.) The act of leaping, or the space passed by leaping; a jump; a spring; a
bound. 9. (n.) Copulation with, or coverture of, a female beast. 10. ...
/l/leap.htm - 13k

Lain (57 Occurrences)
... Numbers 5:13 and a man hath lain with her 'with' the seed of copulation, and it
hath been hid from the eyes of her husband, and concealed, and she hath been ...
/l/lain.htm - 24k

Investigation (6 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 19:20 And when a man lieth with a woman with seed of copulation, and she
a maid-servant, betrothed to a man, and not really ransomed, or freedom hath ...
/i/investigation.htm - 8k

Tread (60 Occurrences)
... 11. (n.) Way; track; path. 12. (n.) The act of copulation in birds. 13. (n.) The
upper horizontal part of a step, on which the foot is placed. 14. ...
/t/tread.htm - 26k

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