from זָנָה; adultery, i.e. (figuratively) infidelity, idolatry; whoredom.
Transliteration:zᵉnûwth
Pronunciation:zen-ooth'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term זְנוּת (zᵉnûwth, `{{H2184}}`) derives from the root verb זָנָה (zanah, `{{H2181}}`), which means "to commit fornication," "to be a harlot," or "to prostitute oneself." At its most basic and literal level, זְנוּת refers to acts of sexual immorality, including prostitution, fornication, and adultery, signifying illicit sexual activity outside the bounds of a legitimate marriage.
However, the semantic range of זְנוּת extends significantly beyond the literal. Its most profound and frequent usage in the Hebrew Bible is figurative, where it denotes spiritual infidelity, disloyalty, and idolatry. In this metaphorical sense, זְנוּת describes a nation or an individual's unfaithfulness to God, particularly Israel's betrayal of the covenant relationship with Yahweh. This spiritual "whoredom" involves turning away from the one true God to worship other deities, engage in pagan practices, or rely on foreign alliances rather than divine faithfulness. Thus, זְנוּת encompasses both physical and spiritual dimensions of unfaithfulness, ranging from literal sexual promiscuity to the gravest sin of apostasy and idolatry against God.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term זְנוּת appears approximately 20 times in the Hebrew Bible, predominantly in the prophetic books, where its figurative meaning is most pronounced.
In the book of Hosea, זְנוּת is a central theme, used consistently to describe Israel's spiritual unfaithfulness to Yahweh. For instance, in [[Hosea 1:2]], the Lord instructs Hosea to "go, take to yourself a wife of whoredom and have children of whoredom, for the land commits great whoredom by forsaking the Lord." Here, the "whoredom" of the land explicitly refers to its idolatry and abandonment of God. Similarly, [[Hosea 4:12]] states, "My people inquire of a piece of wood, and their walking staff gives them oracles. For a spirit of whoredom has led them astray, and they have played the harlot, forsaking their God." This verse clearly links זְנוּת to seeking guidance from idols and turning away from Yahweh. [[Hosea 5:4]] further emphasizes that "Their deeds do not permit them to return to their God, for a spirit of whoredom is within them, and they do not know the Lord." Here, זְנוּת is depicted as an ingrained spiritual condition preventing repentance.
Ezekiel also heavily employs זְנוּת to depict Jerusalem's and Samaria's spiritual harlotry. In [[Ezekiel 16:15]], God recounts how Jerusalem "trusted in your beauty and played the harlot because of your renown and lavished your whoring on anyone who passed by." This vivid imagery describes the city's promiscuous pursuit of alliances with pagan nations and adoption of their idolatrous practices. [[Ezekiel 23:27]] similarly speaks of removing the "lewdness and whoredom" from the land, referring to the idolatrous practices that defiled the people.
While primarily figurative in the prophets, זְנוּת can also refer to literal sexual sin. In [[Proverbs 23:27]], "For a prostitute is a deep pit; an adulteress is a narrow well," the context clearly points to the dangers of literal sexual immorality. [[Numbers 14:33]] uses the term in a punitive context, stating that the children of the Israelites who rebelled in the wilderness would "suffer for your whoring forty years," implying the consequences of their unfaithfulness and rebellion against God, which included a lack of trust and obedience.
The contextual analysis reveals that while זְנוּת can denote literal sexual sin, its theological weight in the prophetic literature is overwhelmingly directed at spiritual infidelity, portraying Israel's relationship with God as a sacred marriage covenant that has been betrayed through idolatry and disobedience.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most directly related word to זְנוּת (zᵉnûwth, `{{H2184}}`) is its root verb, זָנָה (zanah, `{{H2181}}`), which describes the *act* of whoredom or spiritual infidelity. Other related Hebrew terms for sexual sin include נִאֻף (ni'uph, `{{H5004}}`), meaning "adultery," and תּוֹעֵבָה (to'evah, `{{H8441}}`), "abomination," which often encompasses both sexual perversion and idolatrous practices.
Conceptually, זְנוּת is intricately linked to:
* **Covenant Infidelity:** The primary theological backdrop for the figurative use of זְנוּת is the covenant between God and Israel, often portrayed as a marriage. Israel's turning to other gods or foreign alliances is seen as a breach of this exclusive covenant, akin to a spouse committing adultery.
* **Idolatry:** This is the most common manifestation of spiritual זְנוּת. Worshipping false gods or engaging in their rituals is depicted as the ultimate act of spiritual betrayal against Yahweh, who demands exclusive devotion.
* **Apostasy:** The act of abandoning one's religious faith, principles, or party. זְנוּת encapsulates this turning away from God's commands and presence.
* **Disobedience and Rebellion:** While distinct, these concepts often accompany זְנוּת, as spiritual whoredom is fundamentally an act of rebellion against God's authority and a rejection of His laws.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of זְנוּת is profound, particularly in the Old Testament's portrayal of God's relationship with Israel.
1. **Divine Jealousy and Exclusive Devotion:** The consistent use of זְנוּת highlights God's demand for exclusive devotion from His people. Just as a husband expects fidelity from his wife, Yahweh, as the divine Husband, expects Israel to be exclusively faithful to Him. The concept of God's jealousy (e.g., [[Exodus 34:14]]) is directly linked to Israel's spiritual whoredom; He will not tolerate rivals for His people's affection and worship.
2. **Gravity of Idolatry:** By framing idolatry as זְנוּת, the prophets underscore its heinous nature. It is not merely a breaking of a commandment but a deep betrayal of a sacred, intimate relationship. This metaphor conveys the emotional pain and offense that Israel's unfaithfulness causes to God.
3. **Covenant as Marriage:** The metaphor of Israel as God's bride, and their unfaithfulness as זְנוּת, elevates the covenant relationship to an intensely personal and relational level. It emphasizes God's immense love, commitment, and vulnerability in His dealings with His chosen people.
4. **Consequences of Sin:** The prophetic warnings against זְנוּת often precede pronouncements of judgment (e.g., exile, destruction). This illustrates that spiritual infidelity has severe, tangible consequences, demonstrating God's justice in responding to such profound betrayal.
5. **Divine Grace and Restoration:** Despite Israel's persistent זְנוּת, the prophetic books (especially Hosea) also convey God's persistent love and desire for reconciliation. The Lord's willingness to pursue His unfaithful "wife" and call her back to repentance (e.g., [[Hosea 2:14-20]]) highlights His enduring grace, mercy, and faithfulness, even in the face of profound human infidelity.
### Summary
זְנוּת (zᵉnûwth, `{{H2184}}`) is a potent Hebrew term whose meaning spans both literal sexual immorality and, more significantly, figurative spiritual infidelity. Derived from the verb זָנָה (zanah, `{{H2181}}`), it describes acts of prostitution or fornication, but its primary theological weight in the Old Testament lies in its metaphorical application to Israel's unfaithfulness to God. This "whoredom" represents the gravest sin of idolatry and apostasy, a betrayal of the sacred covenant relationship between Yahweh and His people, often depicted as a marriage. The prophetic books, particularly Hosea and Ezekiel, use זְנוּת to highlight the severity of Israel's spiritual rebellion, God's righteous jealousy for exclusive devotion, and His ultimate, steadfast love that calls His unfaithful bride back to repentance and restoration. Thus, זְנוּת serves as a powerful theological concept illustrating the depth of sin in betraying God and the enduring nature of His covenant faithfulness.
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