Lust
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Lust in the Bible?
The concept of lust has shifted from denoting strong desire or craving in a neutral sense to signifying sinful pleasure, concupiscence, or excessive sensual desire within moral and religious frameworks.
SIGNIFICANCE
Distinguishing between neutral desire and disordered craving aids in interpreting biblical passages on moral purity and self-control.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Lust. 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 Lust in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Lust 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
"Lust." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/lust/