נִאֻף

נִאֻף

adultery

Definition

נִאֻף (niʼuph) refers specifically to the act of adultery, the violation of the marital covenant through sexual infidelity. In the Old Testament, it denotes the physical act of unfaithfulness by a married person (Jeremiah 13:27). The term carries strong moral and legal connotations, as adultery was explicitly prohibited in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:14). While primarily literal, the prophets also use it metaphorically to describe Israel's spiritual unfaithfulness to God by worshiping idols (Ezekiel 23:43).

Biblical Usage

This noun appears only twice in the Old Testament, both times in prophetic books condemning Israel's behavior. In Jeremiah 13:27, it is used literally, listing adultery among Jerusalem's visible sins. In Ezekiel 23:43, it appears in a metaphorical indictment, where God accuses the allegorical figures Oholah and Oholibah (representing Samaria and Jerusalem) of spiritual adultery through idolatry. Its usage is exclusively in contexts of severe moral and covenantal breach.

Etymology

Derived from the verb נָאַף (naʼaph, H5003), meaning 'to commit adultery.' The noun form נִאֻף is a verbal noun indicating the act or state of adultery. It is part of a semantic field related to sexual immorality and covenant violation. Cognates exist in other Semitic languages, like Ugaritic and Arabic, with similar meanings related to illicit sexual intercourse.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it defines a key breach of the Mosaic covenant, with penalties under Israel's civil law. Adultery violates the sacred marriage covenant, which serves as a biblical metaphor for God's relationship with His people (Hosea, Ezekiel). Understanding this Hebrew term enriches reading of prophetic texts where spiritual adultery illustrates idolatry's severity—it is not merely ritual error but a profound betrayal of exclusive loyalty owed to God. In ancient Israelite culture, adultery was understood as a man having sexual relations with a married or betrothed woman, a crime against the husband's rights and the community's moral order (Leviticus 20:10). It differed from some modern understandings by its legal and communal ramifications, often carrying the death penalty. The metaphorical use by prophets would have resonated powerfully, as listeners understood adultery as a ultimate betrayal of trust and covenant. זְנוּנִים (zenunim, H2181) — often 'fornication' or 'whoredom,' a broader term for sexual immorality, frequently used for idolatry. תּוֹעֵבָה (toʻevah, H8441) — 'abomination,' a general term for detestable acts, which can include adultery (Jeremiah 13:27).

Word Details