נָאַף
to commit adultery; figuratively, to apostatize
Definition
The Hebrew verb נָאַף (nâʼaph) primarily means to commit adultery, specifically sexual infidelity by a married person (Exodus 20:14, Leviticus 20:10). In the Old Testament, this act is a direct violation of the marriage covenant and the seventh commandment. Figuratively, the word is also used to describe spiritual adultery, where Israel or individuals are unfaithful to their covenant relationship with God by worshiping other deities (Jeremiah 3:8-9, Ezekiel 23:37). This dual usage highlights how physical adultery serves as a powerful metaphor for idolatry and covenant betrayal.
Biblical Usage
נָאַף is used 26 times in the Old Testament, primarily in legal texts (Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy) that prescribe penalties for adultery, and in prophetic literature where it serves as a metaphor for idolatry. In wisdom literature, it describes the foolish and destructive nature of the act (Proverbs 6:32). The literal sense dominates in the Torah and Proverbs, while the prophets, especially Jeremiah and Ezekiel, extensively employ the metaphorical sense to condemn Israel's spiritual unfaithfulness.
Etymology
נָאַף is a primitive root verb, meaning its etymology is not derived from another known Hebrew root. It is specifically associated with the act of marital infidelity. Cognate words exist in related Semitic languages like Aramaic and Arabic, confirming its ancient and specific meaning related to sexual misconduct within a marital context.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically central as it defines a key covenant violation, both in human relationships and in humanity's relationship with God. The literal command (Exodus 20:14) protects the sanctity of marriage and family, a foundational social institution. The metaphorical use (e.g., Jeremiah 3:9) reveals the profound biblical concept of covenant: God is a faithful husband to an often-unfaithful people. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches reading by connecting sexual ethics directly to the theology of faithfulness, idolatry, and God's holy character.
In ancient Israelite culture, adultery was understood not merely as a private sin but as a severe social and religious crime that damaged the family structure and the community's covenant purity. It was a property crime against the husband (Deuteronomy 22:22), punishable by death for both parties. This contrasts with some modern, more individualized views of adultery. The metaphorical extension to idolatry made powerful sense in a culture where covenant loyalty was the supreme social and religious virtue.
זָנָה (zânâ, H2181) — a broader term for sexual immorality, often 'to whore' or 'to be a harlot,' not strictly limited to married persons. It is the more common verb for spiritual prostitution/idolatry.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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