Changes

Conjugal infidelity. An adulterer was a [[Man (EBD)|man ]] who had illicit intercourse with a [[Marriage (EBD)|married ]] or a [[Betroth (EBD)|betrothed ]] [[Woman (EBD)|woman]], and such a woman was an adulteress. Intercourse between a married man and an unmarried woman was [[Fornication (EBD)|fornication]]. Adultery was regarded as a great social wrong, as well as a great [[Sin (EBD)|sin]].

The [[Moses (EBD)|Mosaic ]] [[Law (EBD)|law ]] (Num. 5:11-31) prescribed that the suspected [[Wife (EBD)|wife ]] should be tried by the ordeal of the "[[Water of jealousy (EBD)|water of jealousy]]." There is, however, no recorded instance of the application of this law. In subsequent times the [[Rabbi (EBD)|Rabbis ]] made various regulations with the view of discovering the guilty party, and of bringing about a [[Divorce (EBD)|divorce]]. It has been inferred from John 8:1-11 that this sin became very common during the age preceding the destruction of [[Jerusalem (EBD)|Jerusalem]].

[[Idolatry(EBD)|Idolatry]], [[Covetousness (EBD)|covetousness]], and apostasy are spoken of as adultery spiritually (Jer. 3:6, 8, 9; Ezek. 16:32; Hos. 1:2:3; Rev. 2:22). An apostate [[Church (EBD)|church ]] is an adulteress (Isa. 1:21; Ezek. 23:4, 7, 37), and the [[Jew (EBD)|Jews ]] are styled "an adulterous [[Generation (EBD)|generation]]" (Matt. 12:39). (Comp. Rev. 12.)

{{returnto}} [[Easton's Bible Dictionary]] | [[Adultery]]