נִאֻף
𐤍𐤀𐤐
niʼuph
H5004 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
Unfaithfulness in a marital relationship, specifically sexual relations of a married individual with someone other than their spouse. The term may also be used metaphorically to refer to covenantal unfaithfulness, such as spiritual infidelity or apostasy, particularly of the Israelites toward YHWH. The primary sense is physical adultery, but extended uses appear in prophetic and wisdom literature.
Semantic Range
adultery (marital unfaithfulness), metaphorical adultery (spiritual infidelity or apostasy), violation of covenantal fidelity
Root / Etymology
From the root נאף (n-ʼ-f), meaning 'to commit adultery'. נִאֻף is a noun form indicating the act or instance of adultery. The root consistently carries the idea of marital unfaithfulness or violation of marital bonds.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In the Tanakh, נִאֻף is chiefly used to denote the act of adultery, a serious violation of social and covenantal norms in ancient Israelite society, often punishable by death (e.g., Lev 20:10; Deut 22:22). In the prophets, especially Jeremiah and Ezekiel, the term acquires a broader, metaphorical sense, referring to the Israelites' unfaithfulness to YHWH through idol worship or alliances with foreign powers. This metaphorical use is deeply rooted in the covenantal theology of the Hebrew Bible, where Israel's relationship with YHWH is likened to a marriage contract. In wisdom literature (e.g., Proverbs), נִאֻף refers concretely to illicit sexual relations but can also allude to broader forms of social or religious betrayal. Later translations (notably the Septuagint) often render the term with the Greek μοιχεία (moicheia), establishing a continuity in the semantic domain across biblical languages. English versions frequently translate as 'adultery,' but the extended metaphorical sense is frequently rendered as 'unfaithfulness' or 'idolatry.'
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from נָאַף; adultery; adultery.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
נאפ (n-ʾ-p) — adultery, marital unfaithfulness, covenantal infidelity
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5004-01 |
נִֽאֻפַ֤יִ/ךְ | niufayikhe | HNcmpc/Sp2fs |
your adulteries | your adulteries | 1 |
H5004-02 |
נִֽאוּפִ֑ים | niufim | HNcmpa |
by adulteries | adulteries | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H5004-01 |
Jeremiah 13:27 | נִֽאֻפַ֤יִ/ךְ | niufayikhe | HNcmpc/Sp2fs |
your adulteries | your adulteries |
H5004-02 |
Ezekiel 23:43 | נִֽאוּפִ֑ים | niufim | HNcmpa |
by adulteries | adulteries |