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Unveiling the Word

In Biblical studies, understanding key Greek words such as μοιχαλίς (moichalis) can provide valuable insight into the cultural and moral context of the New Testament. Found in Matthew 12:39, μοιχαλίς is typically translated as “adulteress” and is used metaphorically to describe spiritual unfaithfulness. This word is significant not only for its immediate meaning but also for its broader implications in describing a generation or people who have turned away from their covenant with God. Understanding μοιχαλίς helps to enrich the interpretation of passages where it appears, particularly those dealing with moral and spiritual faithfulness.

Necessary Information

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Greek Word: μοιχαλίς (moichalis)

Transliteration: moichalis

Pronunciation: /moy-KHA-lis/

Etymology:

The word μοιχαλίς comes from the Greek root moichos, meaning “adulterer,” which relates to illicit sexual relationships outside the covenant of marriage. The suffix -lis indicates a feminine form, making μοιχαλίς specifically refer to an “adulteress.” This word is closely tied to the notion of covenantal unfaithfulness, not just in the marital context but also in spiritual terms.

Part of Speech:

μοιχαλίς is a noun, feminine in gender, and is often used metaphorically in the New Testament to describe a spiritually adulterous generation that has turned away from God. It carries connotations of betrayal and infidelity, both physically and spiritually.

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Defining Meanings

1. “Adulteress” (Literal):

The primary meaning of μοιχαλίς refers to a woman who commits adultery—engaging in sexual relations outside of the covenant of marriage. In ancient Greek culture, adultery was not only a personal moral failure but also a legal and social violation. In Jewish law, it was a serious offense punishable by death (Leviticus 20:10).

2. “Spiritually Unfaithful” (Metaphorical):

μοιχαλίς is often used metaphorically in the New Testament to refer to a generation or people who have turned away from God, likening their spiritual unfaithfulness to adultery. In Matthew 12:39, Jesus refers to the people as “an evil and adulterous generation” for seeking signs and being unfaithful to their covenant with God.

Exploring Similar Words

1. μοιχός (moichos) [moy-KHOS]: The masculine form, referring to an adulterer (a man who commits adultery). While the masculine and feminine forms are related, moichos does not carry the same cultural weight when used metaphorically.

2. πορνεία (porneia) [por-NAY-ah]: Translated as “fornication” or “sexual immorality,” porneia encompasses a broader range of illicit sexual behavior, including adultery, but is not limited to the covenantal infidelity implied by moichalis.

3. απιστία (apistia) [a-pees-TEE-ah]: Meaning “unfaithfulness” or “disbelief,” this word focuses more on a lack of faith or trust, rather than the betrayal implied in moichalis.

Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

μοιχαλίς is a first-declension feminine noun. Its endings follow the pattern typical of Greek feminine nouns. Below is a basic declension of μοιχαλίς in the singular form:

Case Singular

Nominative μοιχαλίς

Genitive μοιχαλίδος

Dative μοιχαλίδι

Accusative μοιχαλίδα

For a more in-depth guide to Greek grammar, click here for a beginner’s guide to reading Greek.

Studying Lexicon Insights

Lexicons highlight that μοιχαλίς is used both literally and metaphorically. In the literal sense, it refers to a woman who breaks the marriage covenant by engaging in sexual relations outside her marriage. In its metaphorical usage, as seen in Matthew 12:39 and other New Testament passages, it represents a generation that is unfaithful to God, abandoning spiritual commitments. Lexicons emphasize the strong moral and spiritual condemnation that comes with the use of μοιχαλίς, particularly in its metaphorical application, where it symbolizes a people who have rejected their divine relationship.

This overview synthesizes insights from BDAG, Thayer’s, LSJ, Vine’s, Strong’s, LEH, and Moulton and Milligan.

Tracing Related Scriptures

1. Matthew 12:39 – “But he answered them, ‘An evil and adulterous [μοιχαλίς] generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.’”

2. Mark 8:38 – “For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous [μοιχαλίς] and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

3. Revelation 2:22 – “Behold, I will throw her onto a sickbed, and those who commit adultery [μοιχεύω] with her I will throw into great tribulation, unless they repent of her works.”

Analyzing Classical Usage

Here are some examples of μοιχαλίς from classical Greek literature and the Septuagint:

Author Name of Work Example Text

Plato Republic “The adulteress [μοιχαλίς] is considered a scourge upon the city.”

Septuagint Hosea 2:2 “Plead with your mother, plead—for she is not my wife, and I am not her husband—and let her put away her adulteries [μοιχαλίς] from her face.”

Septuagint Jeremiah 3:8 “I gave faithless Israel her certificate of divorce and sent her away because of all her adulteries [μοιχαλίς].”

Noteworthy Summary

μοιχαλίς is a powerful word in the New Testament, carrying both literal and metaphorical weight. It describes not only a woman who commits adultery but also a spiritually unfaithful generation, as used by Jesus in Matthew 12:39. By understanding the nuances of μοιχαλίς, we gain a deeper understanding of the moral and spiritual expectations in the Bible, as well as the severe consequences of breaking the covenant with God.

Did You Know?

1. The use of μοιχαλίς to describe a generation as “adulterous” is unique to the New Testament, where it symbolizes spiritual unfaithfulness.

2. Adultery was punishable by death in ancient Jewish law, making the metaphor of spiritual adultery especially severe.

3. The metaphor of adultery for unfaithfulness to God is rooted in Old Testament prophetic literature, especially in the books of Hosea and Jeremiah.