Topical Encyclopedia
The term "lewd" in the Bible is often associated with behavior that is morally impure, indecent, or licentious. It is used to describe actions and attitudes that are contrary to the holiness and righteousness expected of God's people. The concept of lewdness is addressed in various passages throughout the Scriptures, highlighting the importance of purity and moral integrity.
Old Testament ReferencesIn the Old Testament, lewdness is frequently condemned as a grievous sin. The Hebrew word often translated as "lewd" is "zimmah," which can denote wickedness or an evil plan, particularly in a sexual context. For example, in
Ezekiel 16:27, God rebukes Jerusalem for its unfaithfulness, saying, "Behold, therefore I stretched out My hand against you, diminished your portion, and gave you over to the desire of those who hate you, the daughters of the Philistines, who were ashamed of your lewd conduct."
The book of Leviticus also addresses lewd behavior, particularly in the context of sexual immorality.
Leviticus 18 outlines various prohibitions against illicit sexual relations, emphasizing the need for the Israelites to remain distinct from the surrounding nations whose practices were considered abominable.
New Testament ReferencesIn the New Testament, lewdness is similarly condemned as incompatible with the Christian life. The Greek word "aselgeia" is often translated as "lewdness" or "sensuality," and it appears in several lists of sinful behaviors that believers are to avoid. In
Galatians 5:19-21, the Apostle Paul writes, "The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God."
The Apostle Peter also warns against lewdness in
1 Peter 4:3, where he reminds believers of their past lives: "For you have spent enough time in the past carrying out the same desires as the Gentiles—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and detestable idolatry."
Moral and Spiritual ImplicationsLewdness is seen as a manifestation of the sinful nature that stands in opposition to the fruit of the Spirit. It is a behavior that defiles the body, which is considered the temple of the Holy Spirit (
1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Christians are called to live lives that reflect the holiness of God, abstaining from lewd acts and thoughts that corrupt the soul and hinder one's relationship with God.
The Bible encourages believers to pursue purity and to flee from sexual immorality and all forms of lewdness. In
Ephesians 5:3, Paul exhorts, "But among you, as is proper among the saints, there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed."
ConclusionThe biblical teaching on lewdness underscores the call to holiness and the transformation that comes through a relationship with Jesus Christ. By the power of the Holy Spirit, believers are empowered to overcome lewdness and to live in a manner that honors God, reflecting His purity and righteousness in a world that often promotes the opposite.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Obscene; lustful; lascivious; indecent.
2. (superl.) Belonging to the lower classes, or the rabble; idle and lawless; bad; vicious.
3. (superl.) Given to the promiscuous indulgence of lust; dissolute; lustful; libidinous.
4. (superl.) Suiting, or proceeding from, lustfulness; involving unlawful sexual desire; as, lewd thoughts, conduct, or language.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
LEWD; LEWDNESSlud, lud'-nes (zimmah, mezimmah, nabhluth; poneros, rhadiourgema):
1. In the Old Testament:
There are three Hebrew words translated "lewd," "lewdness":
(1) Zimmah, meaning a "plan," a "purpose," so translated several times and then shading off into "evil plan"; translated also "heinous crime," "wicked purpose or device." It is the most frequent word for "lewdness":Ezekiel 16:27, "lewd way"; found inJudges 20:6Ezekiel 16:27, 43, 58;Ezekiel 22:9, 11; 23:21, 27, 29, 35, 44-48, 49; 24:13Hosea 6:9.
(2) Mezimmah means a "plan," generally "(evil) machination"; used only inJeremiah 11:15, "lewdness."
(3) Nabhluth, meaning "disgrace" in reference to females. Found only inHosea 2:10; the American Revised Version margin "shame."
2. In the New Testament:
The word translated "lewd," "lewdness" in the King James Version occurs only twice in the New Testament, and in each instance is more correctly translated in the Revised Version (British and American) by another word:
(1) Poneros, found inActs 17:5, translated in the American Standard Revised Version "vile." The Greek word elsewhere is translated "bad," "evil," "grievous," "harmful," "malicious," "wicked." the King James Version "lewd" gives the wrong impression. The idea of unchastity is not present in the text or context.
(2) Rhadiourgema likewise occurs only once, namely,Acts 18:14, and is correctly translated in the Revised Version (British and American) and the American Standard Revised Version "wicked villany." The thought of impurity or lewdness is foreign to the meaning in this connection.
William Edward Raffety
Greek
808. aschemosune -- unseemliness... mos-oo'-nay) Short Definition: unseemliness, shame, nakedness Definition: unseemly
behavior, unseemliness, indecency, shame, nakedness, an indecent (
lewd) act.
...4190. poneros -- toilsome, bad
... neuter (singular) mischief, malice, or (plural) guilt; masculine (singular) the
devil, or (plural) sinners -- bad, evil, grievous, harm,lewd, malicious, wicked...
169. akathartos -- unclean, impure
... From a (as a negative particle) and a presumed derivative of kathairo (meaning
cleansed); impure (ceremonially, morally (lewd) or specially, (demonic)) -- foul...
Strong's Hebrew
2154. zimmah -- a plan, device, wickedness... zamam Definition a plan, device, wickedness NASB Word Usage acts of lewdness (1),
crime (1), devising (1), evil intent (1), immorality (2),
lewd (3), lewdly (1
...Library
But Perhaps, as You Say, the Goddesses Took the Greatest Pleasure...
... Book VI. 23 But perhaps, as you say, the goddesses took the greatest
pleasure in theselewd and? But perhaps, as you say, the...
Article xxiii (xi): of the Marriage of Priests.
... Moreover, although it would be proper for them to be heartily ashamed of the
exceedingly shameful,lewd, abandoned loose life of the wretches in their abbeys...
Life and Death
... Death is so dear, it ceaseth all annoy: Life is solewd [16] , that all it yields
is vain.... [15] regard, regarding that. [16]lewd, foolish....
With whom we are to Associate.
... And crowds of abominable creatures (kinaides) flow in, of unbridled tongue, filthy
in body, filthy in language; men enough forlewd offices, ministers of...
Whether the Daughters of Lust are Fittingly Described?
... words": for since "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh"
(Mat.12:34), the lustful man, whose heart is full oflewd concupiscences, readily...
For There were Even in the Apostles' Times Some who Preached the...
... For put the case that of a number oflewd Priscillianists, some woman should cast
her eye upon a catholic Joseph, and promise him that she will betray their...
Acts xvii. 1, 2, 3
... "But the Jews which believed not (the best texts omit "which believed not"), moved
with envy, took unto them certainlewd fellows of the baser sort, and...
Third Sunday in Lent
... writers attest. What Paul refers to in particular is thelewd conversation
uttered in public without fear and self-restraint. This...
Against Men who Embellish Themselves.
... Beside them women stand in the stews, offering their own flesh for hire forlewd
pleasure, and boys, taught to deny their sex, act the part of women....
Paul and Silas in Thessalonica and Berea.
... "But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certainlewd fellows
of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an...
Thesaurus
Lewd (37 Occurrences)... 4. (superl.) Suiting, or proceeding from, lustfulness; involving unlawful sexual
desire; as,
lewd thoughts, conduct, or language. Int.
...LEWD; LEWDNESS.
...Lewdness (68 Occurrences)
... The word "lewd" is from the Saxon, and means properly "ignorant," "unlearned,"
and hence low, vicious (Acts 17:5). Int....LEWD; LEWDNESS....
Corrupted (28 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 23:3 And they committedlewd deeds in Egypt; they committedlewd deeds in
their youth: there were their breasts pressed, and there they were first...
Wanton (20 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) Specifically: Deviating from the rules of chastity;lewd; lustful; lascivious;
libidinous; lecherous.... 7. (n.) Alewd person; a lascivious man or woman....
Lascivious (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.)Lewd; lustful; salacious; as, lascivious desires.
2. (a.) Tending to produce voluptuous orlewd emotions....
Whorish (5 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Resembling a whore in character or conduct;
addicted to unlawful pleasures; incontinent;lewd; unchaste....
Prostitute (83 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To offer, as a woman, to alewd use;
to give up to lewdness for hire. 2. (vt) To devote to base...
Persons (156 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 5:10 Yet not altogether withlewd persons of this world, or with the
covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters: for then ye must needs go out...
Oholibah (5 Occurrences)
... (WEB JPS ASV BBE DBY NAS NIV). Ezekiel 23:44 They went in to her, as they go in
to a prostitute: so went they in to Oholah and to Oholibah, thelewd women....
Ohol'ibah (5 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Ezekiel 23:44 For every one went in unto her, as men go in unto a harlot;
so went they in unto Oholah and unto Oholibah, thelewd women. (See RSV)....
Resources
What are the Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Jezebel in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgIs Christian rock music appropriate? | GotQuestions.orgLewd: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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