Bastard
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Bastard in the Bible?
In biblical context, a bastard refers to an offspring of incestuous union or marriage within prohibited degrees of affinity, excluded from the assembly of the Lord. It can also refer to someone born out of wedlock, not admitted to paternal care and responsibility.
SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding the status of bastardy clarifies the biblical emphasis on lineage, covenantal boundaries, and the social structures that defined family integrity and community inclusion in ancient Israel.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Bastard. 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 Bastard in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Bastard 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
"Bastard." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/bastard/