Brief Overview of ἀρσενοκοίτης (G733: arsenokoitēs)

1. Brief Overview:

Transliteration: arsenokoitēs

Root Words:

• ἀρσενικός (arsenikos): Meaning “male” or “manly,” derived from ἄρσην (arsēn), which means “male” or “man.”
• κοίτη (koitē): Meaning “bed” or “lying together,” from κοιμάω (koimaō), meaning “to sleep.”

Primary Meanings:

• Sodomite or Male Prostitute: The term ἀρσενοκοίτης is used in the New Testament to denote a person who engages in homosexual practices or male prostitution.
• Homosexual or Sexual Immorality: It generally refers to individuals who engage in sexual relations contrary to traditional Jewish and early Christian norms.

2. Detailed Description:

BDAG: BDAG describes ἀρσενοκοίτης as referring to a man who engages in homosexual acts. It emphasizes the term’s use in ancient texts to denote male prostitution or sexually immoral behavior involving males.

Thayer’s: Thayer’s Greek Lexicon defines ἀρσενοκοίτης as “a male prostitute” or “a sodomite,” focusing on its application to men involved in homosexual activities.

Vines: Vines’ Expository Dictionary explains ἀρσενοκοίτης as referring to a man who engages in homosexual behavior, particularly in the context of sexual immorality.

LSJ: The LSJ Lexicon defines ἀρσενοκοίτης as “a male who has sexual relations with other males,” reflecting its use in ancient texts to describe male homosexual acts.

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance: Strong’s defines ἀρσενοκοίτης as “a sodomite” or “male prostitute,” aligning with its usage to describe individuals involved in homosexual acts.

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Bible Verses:

• 1 Corinthians 6:9 (KJV): “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind.”
• ἀρσενοκοίτης is used in this passage to denote men who engage in homosexual acts, listed among other forms of unrighteousness.
• 1 Timothy 1:10 (KJV): “For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine.”
• Here, ἀρσενοκοίτης is used to refer to those who engage in homosexual practices, indicating its moral and ethical implications.

3. Usage in Classic Greek Literature:

In classic Greek literature, ἀρσενοκοίτης is not commonly used in early texts but reflects a later understanding:

• Plato’s Works (circa 4th century BC): While not using the term directly, Plato discusses various forms of sexual behavior, which would have influenced the concept of ἀρσενοκοίτης.
• Aristotle’s Writings (circa 4th century BC): Similar to Plato, Aristotle addresses sexual behavior and societal norms, indirectly reflecting ideas related to ἀρσενοκοίτης.
• Greek Medical Texts (circa 1st century AD): These texts describe various sexual behaviors and conditions, providing context for understanding terms like ἀρσενοκοίτης.

4. Summary:

ἀρσενοκοίτης (G733: arsenokoitēs) refers to a man who engages in homosexual practices or male prostitution. The term combines Greek words for “male” and “bed,” indicating its focus on sexual behavior. BDAG, Thayer’s, Vines, and LSJ lexicons all describe it in terms of male homosexual activity, reflecting its usage in biblical texts such as 1 Corinthians and 1 Timothy. Although not prevalent in early classical literature, its roots are found in discussions of sexual morality in Greek thought.