Adultery
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Adultery in the Bible?
In biblical law, adultery is defined as sexual intercourse between a married woman and a man other than her husband, a crime punishable by death for both parties under the Mosaic covenant.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding this prohibition clarifies the ancient Israelite emphasis on lineage purity, property rights, and the sanctity of the marital bond within the covenant community.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Adultery. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Adultery in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Adultery clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Adultery." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/adultery/