### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun נִאֻף (niʼuph, `{{H5004}}`) directly denotes the act or state of "adultery." It is derived from the verb נָאַף (naʼaph, `{{H5003}}`), meaning "to commit adultery." This word signifies illicit sexual intercourse, specifically involving a married person, thereby violating the sanctity of the marital bond. Beyond its literal sense, נִאֻף carries profound theological weight, representing a betrayal of covenant, a breach of trust, and a defilement that stands in direct opposition to divine law and purity. Its semantic range emphasizes the profound moral and spiritual transgression inherent in such an act.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
While the root verb נָאַף (naʼaph, `{{H5003}}`) is much more frequent, the noun נִאֻף (niʼuph, `{{H5004}}`) appears in key prophetic contexts, primarily in Jeremiah and Hosea. These occurrences highlight the severity of the sin, often extending its meaning beyond mere physical infidelity to encompass spiritual unfaithfulness.
In [[Jeremiah 13:27]], the prophet laments, "I have seen your detestable practices, your adulteries (נִאֻף) and your lustful neighings on the hills and in the fields. Woe to you, Jerusalem! How long will you remain unclean?" Here, נִאֻף is listed among the "detestable practices" of Judah, underscoring the nation's profound moral corruption and spiritual defilement. The context is one of divine indictment and impending judgment due to widespread sin.
Similarly, in [[Hosea 2:2]], the LORD commands, "Contend with your mother; contend, for she is not my wife, and I am not her husband! Let her remove her prostitution (זְנוּת) from her face and her adulteries (נִאֻף) from between her breasts." This passage uses the powerful metaphor of a broken marriage to describe Israel's spiritual infidelity to Yahweh. The term נִאֻף is paralleled with "prostitution" (זְנוּת, `{{H2183}}`), emphasizing the nation's unfaithfulness through idolatry and the worship of foreign gods, which constitutes spiritual adultery against her divine Husband. The imagery is vivid, portraying the deep betrayal of the covenant relationship.
These contexts consistently portray נִאֻף as a grievous sin, both literally and metaphorically, leading to divine displeasure and judgment.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most directly related term is the verbal root from which נִאֻף (niʼuph, `{{H5004}}`) is derived: נָאַף (naʼaph, `{{H5003}}`), "to commit adultery." This verb is used in the seventh commandment ([[Exodus 20:14]], [[Deuteronomy 5:18]]) and frequently throughout the Old Testament to condemn the act.
Other significant related concepts include:
* **זָנָה (zanah, `{{H2181}}`)**: The verb "to commit prostitution/harlotry," and its noun form **זְנוּת (zenut, `{{H2183}}`)**, "fornication/prostitution." These terms are often used interchangeably or alongside נָאַף/נִאֻף in prophetic literature to describe Israel's spiritual unfaithfulness and idolatry, emphasizing the promiscuous nature of their devotion to false gods.
* **בְּרִית (berit, `{{H1285}}`)**: "Covenant." Adultery, whether marital or spiritual, is a direct violation of covenant. The marital covenant is a sacred bond, and Israel's relationship with God is framed as a covenantal marriage, making their idolatry a profound act of spiritual adultery.
* **חֶסֶד (chesed, `{{H2617}}`)**: "Loyal love, covenant faithfulness." Adultery stands in stark contrast to *chesed*, which characterizes the expected fidelity within a covenant relationship with God and between spouses.
* **טוּמְאָה (tum'ah, `{{H2932}}`)**: "Uncleanness, impurity." Adultery is consistently presented as a defiling sin that brings impurity upon the individual and the land.
* In the New Testament, the Greek equivalent for adultery is **μοιχεία (moicheia, `{{G3430}}`)**, which maintains the same core meaning and theological implications, as seen in Jesus' teachings ([[Matthew 5:27-28]]) and the apostolic writings.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of נִאֻף (niʼuph, `{{H5004}}`) is multi-layered and profound within the biblical narrative:
1. **Violation of Covenant:** At its most fundamental level, adultery is a profound breach of covenant. In the marital context, it shatters the sacred bond established before God, violating trust and fidelity. Theologically, this sin is a direct transgression against the seventh commandment, revealing a disregard for God's holy law.
2. **Spiritual Idolatry:** The prophetic books elevate נִאֻף to a powerful metaphor for Israel's spiritual unfaithfulness. Their pursuit of other gods and reliance on foreign alliances are depicted as acts of spiritual adultery, a betrayal of their exclusive covenant relationship with Yahweh, their divine Husband. This imagery underscores God's passionate demand for singular devotion and the intimacy of His relationship with His people.
3. **Defilement and Judgment:** Adultery is consistently portrayed as a defiling sin, bringing impurity upon the individual and the community ([[Jeremiah 13:27]]). Such defilement invokes divine judgment, leading to societal decay, curses upon the land, and ultimately, exile, as seen in the history of Israel.
4. **Reflection of God's Holiness:** The strict prohibition against adultery reflects God's own perfect holiness and His demand for moral purity and faithfulness from those who bear His name. The sanctity of marriage, as an institution ordained by God, mirrors the sanctity of the divine-human covenant.
5. **Divine Jealousy:** God's response to Israel's spiritual adultery is often described in terms of divine jealousy (e.g., [[Exodus 34:14]], [[Deuteronomy 4:24]]), a holy jealousy that arises from His passionate love and commitment to His covenant people, who have betrayed His exclusive claim.
### Summary
The Hebrew noun נִאֻף (niʼuph, `{{H5004}}`) specifically denotes "adultery," deriving from the verb נָאַף (naʼaph, `{{H5003}}`). While literally referring to illicit sexual intercourse, its primary biblical usage, particularly in prophetic literature (Jeremiah, Hosea), extends to describe Israel's spiritual unfaithfulness and idolatry against Yahweh. This term underscores a profound violation of covenant, whether the sacred bond of marriage or the exclusive relationship between God and His chosen people. Theologically, נִאֻף highlights the seriousness of betraying trust and fidelity, the defiling nature of sin, and the righteous judgment that flows from God's holy character when His covenant love is spurned. It serves as a potent metaphor for humanity's pervasive tendency to stray from divine faithfulness.
TRV