μοιχεύω
moicheuō
to commit adultery
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredBased on the provided data, the Greek verb μοιχεύω (moicheuō) is defined as "to commit adultery." This word is used 15 times in the Bible and serves as a key term to describe actions that undermine the marital bond and the trust placed in relationships. The significance of μοιχεύω lies in its explicit condemnation of extramarital sex and its associated consequences. This verb is primarily used to describe the actions of individuals who transgress the rules of fidelity within a marriage or committed relationship. The data reveals that μοιχεύω has a distinct place within the biblical narrative, particularly when discussing the importance of loyalty, honesty, and the consequences of infidelity in interpersonal relationships. The frequency and specific usage of μοιχεύω highlight the gravity with which ancient societies viewed adultery. However, without further context about the author's intentions, historical setting, or cultural background, any deeper implications or motivations behind the word's usage remain uncertain.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
15 total occurrences across the text
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery;’
Matthew 5:28but I tell you that everyone who gazes at a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart.
Matthew 5:32but I tell you that whoever puts away his wife, except for the cause of sexual immorality, makes her an adulteress; and whoever marries her when she is put away commits adultery.
Matthew 19:18He said to him, “Which ones?” Jesus said, “ ‘You shall not murder.’ ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ ‘You shall not steal.’ ‘You shall not offer false testimony.’
Mark 10:19You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not give false testimony,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and mother.’ ”
Luke 16:18Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery. He who marries one who is divorced from a husband commits adultery.
Luke 18:20You know the commandments: ‘Don’t commit adultery,’ ‘Don’t murder,’ ‘Don’t steal,’ ‘Don’t give false testimony,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ ”
John 8:4they told him, “Teacher, we found this woman in adultery, in the very act.
Romans 2:22You who say a man shouldn’t commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?
Romans 2:22You who say a man shouldn’t commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?
Romans 13:9For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other commandments there are, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Luke 16:18Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery. He who marries one who is divorced from a husband commits adultery.
James 2:11For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not commit murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.
James 2:11For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not commit murder.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.
Revelation 2:22Behold, I will throw her into a bed, and those who commit adultery with her into great oppression, unless they repent of her works.