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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadInternational Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Lewd; Lewdness
Subjects in this Topic:
luÌ„d, luÌ„d´nes (זמּה, zimmaÌ„h, מזמּה, mezimmaÌ„h, × ×‘×œ×•Ö¼×ª, nabhluÌ„th; πονηÏοÌÏ‚, poneÌ„roÌs, Ï̔αδιουÌÏγημα, rhadiouÌrgeÌ„ma):
1. In the Old Testament:
There are three Hebrew words translated “lewd,†“lewdnessâ€: (1) ZimmaÌ„h, meaning a “plan,†a “purpose,†so translated several times and then shading off into “evil planâ€; translated also “heinous crime,†“wicked purpose or device.†It is the most frequent word for “lewdnessâ€: , “lewd wayâ€; found in ; , , ; , ; , , , , , , ; ; . (2) MezimmaÌ„h means a “plan,†generally “(evil) machinationâ€; used only in , “lewdness.†(3) NabhluÌ„th, meaning “disgrace†in reference to females. Found only in ; the American Revised Version margin “shame.â€
2. In the New Testament:
The word translated “lewd,†“lewdness†in the King James Version occurs only twice in the New Testament, and in each instance is more correctly translated in the Revised Version (British and American) by another word: (1) Ponēros, found in , translated in the American Standard Revised Version “vile.†The Greek word elsewhere is translated “bad,†“evil,†“grievous,†“harmful,†“malicious,†“wicked.†the King James Version “lewd†gives the wrong impression. The idea of unchastity is not present in the text or context. (2) Rhadiourgēma likewise occurs only once, namely, , and is correctly translated in the Revised Version (British and American) and the American Standard Revised Version “wicked villany.†The thought of impurity or lewdness is foreign to the meaning in this connection.