Topical Bible: Unfaithfulness

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Topical Encyclopedia

Unfaithfulness, as depicted in the Bible, is a significant moral and spiritual failing that manifests in various forms, including infidelity in marriage, betrayal of trust, and disloyalty to God. It is often portrayed as a breach of covenant, whether between individuals or between humanity and God.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, unfaithfulness is frequently addressed in the context of Israel's relationship with God. The Israelites are often described as unfaithful when they turn to idolatry and forsake the covenant established with Yahweh. The prophet Hosea's marriage to Gomer serves as a poignant metaphor for Israel's unfaithfulness. Hosea 1:2 states, "When the LORD first spoke through Hosea, He said to him, 'Go, take for yourself a wife of prostitution and children of unfaithfulness, because the land is committing blatant acts of unfaithfulness by forsaking the LORD.'"

The theme of unfaithfulness is also evident in the narratives of individual relationships. For example, the account of Samson and Delilah in Judges 16 illustrates personal betrayal, as Delilah's deceit leads to Samson's downfall. Similarly, the unfaithfulness of King David in his adultery with Bathsheba and the subsequent murder of her husband, Uriah, is a stark example of personal moral failure (2 Samuel 11).

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, unfaithfulness is addressed both in personal relationships and in the broader context of faith in Christ. Jesus speaks against unfaithfulness in marriage, emphasizing the sanctity and permanence of the marital bond. In Matthew 19:9 , Jesus states, "Now I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman, commits adultery."

The apostle Paul also addresses unfaithfulness in his epistles, urging believers to remain faithful to their commitments and to God. In 1 Corinthians 4:2 , Paul writes, "Now it is required of stewards that they be found faithful." This call to faithfulness extends to all aspects of life, including stewardship of the gospel and personal conduct.

Spiritual Implications

Unfaithfulness is not merely a breach of human relationships but is ultimately seen as a spiritual issue. It reflects a heart that is not fully devoted to God. James 4:4 warns, "You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God." This verse underscores the spiritual adultery that occurs when believers prioritize worldly desires over their relationship with God.

Consequences and Redemption

The Bible consistently portrays unfaithfulness as having serious consequences, both temporally and spiritually. However, it also offers a message of hope and redemption. God's faithfulness remains steadfast despite human unfaithfulness. In 1 John 1:9 , the promise of forgiveness is extended: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Throughout Scripture, the call to return to faithfulness is accompanied by the assurance of God's mercy and the possibility of restoration. The account of the prodigal son in Luke 15 exemplifies this, illustrating the father's readiness to forgive and restore his wayward son upon his return.

In summary, unfaithfulness in the Bible is a multifaceted issue that affects both human and divine relationships. It is a call to examine one's heart and to seek a life of fidelity, grounded in the faithfulness of God.

Greek

570. apistia -- unbelief
... Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: apistia Phonetic Spelling:
(ap-is-tee'-ah) Short Definition: unbelief, unfaithfulness, distrust Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/570.htm - 7k

Strong's Hebrew

4603. maal -- to act unfaithfully or treacherously
... acting unfaithfully (1), acts (2), became...unfaithful (1), been (1), been unfaithful
(5), broke faith (1), committed (6), committing unfaithfulness (1), err (1 ...
/hebrew/4603.htm - 6k

4604. maal -- an unfaithful or treacherous act
... falsehood (1), treachery (2), trespass (1), trespass* (1), unfaithful (3), unfaithful
act (4), unfaithful deeds (1), unfaithfully (6), unfaithfulness (6), very ...
/hebrew/4604.htm - 6k

2184. zenuth -- fornication
... harlotry. Word Origin from zanah Definition fornication NASB Word Usage harlotry
(6), prostitution (1), unfaithfulness (1). whoredom. ...
/hebrew/2184.htm - 6k

Library

Two Kinds of Riches
... But having delivered the parable, our Lord seems, in the verses that I have read,
to anticipate the objection that the unfaithfulness of the steward can never ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/two kinds of riches.htm

We Come Next in the Order of Belief to the Holy Church. We have ...
... But those Churches are not without spot or wrinkle of unfaithfulness. ... But those
Churches are not without spot or wrinkle of unfaithfulness. ...
/.../39 we come next in.htm

Thus, Then, the Arians, with their Affairs in a Very Flourishing ...
... Thus, the best priests being either terrified by threats, or driven into
exile, all gave way before the unfaithfulness of a few. ...
/.../severus/life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter xlv thus then the.htm

All, on Account of the Sin of Adam, were Delivered into the Power ...
... to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the
spirit that now worketh in the children of unfaithfulness; among whom we also ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 12 all on account of.htm

Psalm CI.
... And he explaineth this same wicked thing: "I hated them that do unfaithfulness."
Attend, my brethren. ... Hate the doers of unfaithfulness, repel them from thee. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm ci.htm

The Everlasting Covenant of the Spirit
... has undertaken to perform. Unfaithfulness on either side breaks the covenant.
It was thus with the Old Covenant. God had said to ...
/.../murray/the two covenants/chapter vi the everlasting covenant.htm

Judges
... Briefly stated, the moral is this: in the ancient history, unfaithfulness to Jehovah
was regularly followed by chastisement in the shape of foreign invasion ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/judges.htm

The Entrusted Talents.
... many; and yet something is gained by making the servant who had received one talent
rather than the servant who had received five, the example of unfaithfulness ...
/.../arnot/the parables of our lord/xiv the entrusted talents.htm

The Mission of the Christian Home.
... it.". The guilt and condemnation of unfaithfulness to the home-mission may
be inferred from its importance and responsibility. Those ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/philips/the christian home/chapter ii the mission of.htm

Guilty Silence and Its Reward
... If there is nothing but gravel beneath, it too will be brought up by the plough.
There may be much selfish unfaithfulness overlying a real devoted heart. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/guilty silence and its reward.htm

Thesaurus

Unfaithfulness (27 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Unfaithfulness (27 Occurrences). Matthew 5:32
But I tell you that every man who puts away his wife except ...
/u/unfaithfulness.htm - 15k

Unfaithful (58 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 26:40 And they shall confess their iniquity, and the iniquity of their
fathers, through their unfaithfulness wherein they were unfaithful to me, and ...
/u/unfaithful.htm - 23k

Unfaithfully (19 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 39:26 and they shall bear their confusion, and all their unfaithfulness
in which they have acted unfaithfully against me, when they shall dwell safely ...
/u/unfaithfully.htm - 12k

Adultery (49 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The unfaithfulness of a married person to the marriage bed; sexual intercourse
by a married man with another than his wife, or voluntary sexual ...
/a/adultery.htm - 32k

Book (211 Occurrences)
... and all Israel(ites): those near and those far off, in all the lands (countries)
whither thou hast driven them on account of their unfaithfulness toward thee ...
/b/book.htm - 101k

Baruch (24 Occurrences)
... and all Israel(ites): those near and those far off, in all the lands (countries)
whither thou hast driven them on account of their unfaithfulness toward thee ...
/b/baruch.htm - 46k

Vilest (5 Occurrences)
... Hosea 1:2 When Yahweh spoke at first by Hosea, Yahweh said to Hosea, "Go, take for
yourself a wife of prostitution and children of unfaithfulness; for the land ...
/v/vilest.htm - 7k

Unfaltering (1 Occurrence)

/u/unfaltering.htm - 6k

Overwhelmed (33 Occurrences)
... Ezra 9:4 Then were assembled to me every one that trembled at the words of the God
of Israel, because of the unfaithfulness of those that had been carried away ...
/o/overwhelmed.htm - 15k

Gomer (7 Occurrences)
... This experience of the prophet was typical of Israel's unfaithfulness, of Israel's
exile, and of God bringing her back after the punishment of the exile. ...
/g/gomer.htm - 11k

Resources

What is the exception clause? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Gomer in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about divorce and remarriage? | GotQuestions.org

Unfaithfulness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus

Concordance

Unfaithfulness (27 Occurrences)

Matthew 5:32
But I tell you that every man who puts away his wife except on the ground of unfaithfulness causes her to commit adultery, and whoever marries her when so divorced commits adultery.
(WEY NIV)

Matthew 19:9
And I tell you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except her unfaithfulness, and marries another woman, commits adultery."
(WEY NIV)

Leviticus 26:40
And they shall confess their iniquity, and the iniquity of their fathers, through their unfaithfulness wherein they were unfaithful to me, and also that they have walked contrary unto me,
(DBY NAS)

Numbers 5:6
Speak unto the children of Israel, When a man or woman shall commit any of all the sins of man to work unfaithfulness against Jehovah, and that soul is guilty,
(DBY)

Numbers 5:12
Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, If any man's wife go astray, and commit unfaithfulness against him,
(DBY)

Numbers 5:27
And when he hath made her to drink the water, then it shall come to pass, if she have been defiled, and have committed unfaithfulness against her husband, that the water that bringeth the curse shall enter into her, for bitterness, and her belly shall swell, and her thigh shall shrink; and the woman shall become a curse among her people.
(DBY)

Numbers 14:33
Your children shall be wanderers in the wilderness forty years, and shall bear your prostitution, until your dead bodies be consumed in the wilderness.
(See NAS NIV)

Joshua 7:1
But the children of Israel committed unfaithfulness in that which had been brought under the curse: Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing; and the anger of Jehovah was kindled against the children of Israel.
(DBY)

1 Chronicles 9:1
So all Israel were reckoned by genealogies; and behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel: and Judah was carried away captive to Babylon for their disobedience.
(See NAS RSV NIV)

1 Chronicles 10:13
And Saul died for his unfaithfulness which he committed against Jehovah, because of the word of Jehovah which he kept not, and also for having inquired of the spirit of Python, asking counsel of it;
(DBY RSV)

2 Chronicles 21:11
Moreover he made high places in the mountains of Judah, and made the inhabitants of Jerusalem to play the prostitute, and led Judah astray.
(See RSV)

2 Chronicles 21:13
but have walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and have made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to play the prostitute, like as the house of Ahab did, and also have slain your brothers of your father's house, who were better than yourself:
(See RSV)

2 Chronicles 29:19
Moreover all the vessels, which king Ahaz in his reign did cast away when he trespassed, have we prepared and sanctified; and behold, they are before the altar of Yahweh.
(See NAS NIV)

2 Chronicles 33:19
And his prayer, and how God was intreated of him, and all his sin and his unfaithfulness, and the places in which he built high places, and set up Asherahs and graven images, before he was humbled, behold, they are written among the words of Hozai.
(DBY NAS NIV)

Ezra 9:2
for they have taken of their daughters for themselves and for their sons, and have mingled the holy seed with the peoples of the lands; and the hand of the princes and rulers has been chief in this unfaithfulness.
(DBY NAS NIV)

Ezra 9:4
Then were assembled to me every one that trembled at the words of the God of Israel, because of the unfaithfulness of those that had been carried away; and I sat overwhelmed until the evening oblation.
(DBY NAS NIV)

Ezra 10:6
And Ezra arose from before the house of God, and went into the chamber of Jehohanan the son of Eliashib; and when he came thither, he ate no bread and drank no water; for he mourned because of the unfaithfulness of them that had been carried away.
(DBY NAS NIV)

Ezekiel 14:13
Son of man, when a land sinneth against me by working unfaithfulness, and I stretch out my hand upon it, and break the staff of the bread thereof, and send famine upon it, and cut off man and beast from it;
(DBY NAS)

Ezekiel 15:8
And I will make the land a desolation, because they have wrought unfaithfulness, saith the Lord Jehovah.
(DBY)

Ezekiel 17:20
And I will spread my net upon him, and he shall be taken in my snare; and I will bring him to Babylon, and will enter into judgment with him there for his unfaithfulness in which he hath been unfaithful against me.
(DBY)

Ezekiel 18:24
And when the righteous turneth from his righteousness and practiseth what is wrong, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked doeth, shall he live? None of his righteous acts which he hath done shall be remembered: in his unfaithfulness which he hath wrought, and in his sin which he hath sinned, in them shall he die.
(DBY NIV)

Ezekiel 20:27
Therefore, son of man, speak unto the house of Israel, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: In this moreover have your fathers blasphemed me, in that they have wrought unfaithfulness against me.
(DBY)

Ezekiel 39:26
and they shall bear their confusion, and all their unfaithfulness in which they have acted unfaithfully against me, when they shall dwell safely in their land, and none shall make them afraid;
(DBY NIV)

Daniel 9:7
Thine, O Lord, is the righteousness, but unto us confusion of face, as at this day, to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, that are near, and that are far off, in all the countries whither thou hast driven them, because of their unfaithfulness in which they have been unfaithful against thee.
(DBY NIV)

Hosea 1:2
When Yahweh spoke at first by Hosea, Yahweh said to Hosea, "Go, take for yourself a wife of prostitution and children of unfaithfulness; for the land commits great adultery, forsaking Yahweh."
(WEB NIV)

Hosea 2:2
Contend with your mother! Contend, for she is not my wife, neither am I her husband; and let her put away her prostitution from her face, and her adulteries from between her breasts;
(See NIV)

Hosea 2:4
Indeed, on her children I will have no mercy; for they are children of unfaithfulness;
(WEB)

Subtopics

Unfaithfulness

Unfaithfulness: General Scriptures Concerning

Related Terms

Unfaithful (58 Occurrences)

Unfaithfully (19 Occurrences)

Adultery (49 Occurrences)

Book (211 Occurrences)

Baruch (24 Occurrences)

Vilest (5 Occurrences)

Unfaltering (1 Occurrence)