Vice, Unnatural
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Vice, Unnatural in the Bible?
The term refers to sexual behaviors and social practices deemed abominable within ancient Israelite law, specifically those that contravened ritual purity codes and were associated with the religious rites of neighboring pagan nations.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing these prohibitions clarifies the theological and ethical boundaries that ancient Israelite writers established to distinguish their covenant community from surrounding cultures, thereby illuminating the moral framework underlying many biblical narratives and legal codes.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Vice, Unnatural. 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 Vice, Unnatural in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Vice, Unnatural clarify?
Related Topics
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
"Vice, Unnatural." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/vice-unnatural/