μοιχεύω
moicheúō
G3431 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To commit a violation of an established marital relationship, typically by engaging in sexual relations with someone who is married to another; in broader usage, to break the exclusivity or covenantal fidelity expected in marriage. The primary sense concerns sexual infidelity involving at least one married individual, with extensions in metaphorical usage for any breach of a committed, exclusive relationship.
Semantic Range
to commit adultery (involving at least one married person), to break exclusivity of a marriage relationship; metaphorically, to violate covenant loyalty (esp. in prophetic or wisdom literature); (rare) to intermix illicitly
Root / Etymology
From the noun μοιχός ('adulterer'), which is of uncertain etymology but may be related to the root for 'mixing' or 'intermingling.' Related to μοιχεία ('adultery') and paralleled in other Indo-European languages, but the precise origin is unclear.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, μοιχεύω was used in legal and social contexts for sexual union with another's spouse, particularly with a married woman, often considered a grave social and legal offense. In the Septuagint and later Hellenistic writings, the term reflects the Hebrew נָאַף (nā’af), frequently in legal and ethical lists, as a violation of marital fidelity. In the New Testament context, μοιχεύω predominantly refers to sexual unfaithfulness breaching a marriage bond, but it can also be used metaphorically for faithlessness to covenants—especially in literature dependent on prophetic traditions (e.g., spiritual infidelity towards the God of Israel). English translations often render this word as 'commit adultery,' but this can obscure ancient views of marital roles and legal penalties. The focus in ancient sources is often on the violation of another man's marriage or household, rather than mutual breach by both parties. Distinguished from πορνεύω, which refers broadly to sexual immorality or prostitution; μοιχεύω is more specifically breaching marriage. Usage in Greco-Roman and Jewish legal traditions may emphasize gendered expectations and social status.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from μοιχός; to commit adultery:--commit adultery.
Root Family
μοιχεύω (moicheuō) — commit adultery, break marital fidelity
Word Forms
9 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3431-07 |
μοιχεύσεις | moicheuseis | V FUT ACT IND 2P SG |
commit adultery | you will commit adultery | 3 |
G3431-08 |
μοιχεύσῃς | moicheuses | V AOR ACT SUBJ 2P SG |
commit adultery | you might commit adultery | 3 |
G3431-04 |
μοιχεύεις | moicheueis | V PRS ACT IND 2P SG |
you commit adultery | you are committing adultery | 2 |
G3431-02 |
μοιχεύει | moicheuei | V PRS ACT IND 3P SG |
commits adultery | commits adultery | 2 |
G3431-09 |
μοιχευθῆναι | moicheuthenai | V AOR PASS INF |
to be violated by adultery | 1 | |
G3431-05 |
μοιχευομένη | moicheuomene | V PRS PASS PTCP NOM F SG |
in adultery | being violated in marriage | 1 |
G3431-03 |
μοιχεύειν | moicheuein | V PRS ACT INF |
to commit adultery | 1 | |
G3431-01 |
ἐμοίχευσεν | emoicheusen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
he/she committed adultery | 1 | |
G3431-06 |
μοιχεύοντας | moicheuontas | V PRS ACT PTCP ACC M PL |
committing adultery | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
15 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3431-07 |
Matthew 5:27 | μοιχεύσεις | moicheuseis | V FUT ACT IND 2P SG |
you will commit adultery | |
G3431-01 |
Matthew 5:28 | ἐμοίχευσεν | emoicheusen | V AOR ACT IND 3P SG |
he/she committed adultery | |
G3431-09 |
Matthew 5:32 | μοιχευθῆναι | moicheuthenai | V AOR PASS INF |
to be violated by adultery | |
G3431-07 |
Matthew 19:18 | μοιχεύσεις | moicheuseis | V FUT ACT IND 2P SG |
you will commit adultery | |
G3431-08 |
Mark 10:19 | μοιχεύσῃς | moicheuses | V AOR ACT SUBJ 2P SG |
commit adultery | you might commit adultery |
G3431-02 |
Luke 16:18 | μοιχεύει | moicheuei | V PRS ACT IND 3P SG |
commits adultery | commits adultery |
G3431-02 |
Luke 16:18 | μοιχεύει | moicheuei-2 | V PRS ACT IND 3P SG |
commits adultery | commits adultery |
G3431-08 |
Luke 18:20 | μοιχεύσῃς | moicheuses | V AOR ACT SUBJ 2P SG |
commit adultery | you might commit adultery |
G3431-05 |
John 8:4 | μοιχευομένη | moicheuomene | V PRS PASS PTCP NOM F SG |
in adultery | being violated in marriage |
G3431-03 |
Romans 2:22 | μοιχεύειν | moicheuein | V PRS ACT INF |
to commit adultery |