Exploring the Biblical Concept- What is Pre-Marital Sex Referred to in the Holy Scriptures-
What is sex before marriage called in the Bible?
The question of what the Bible refers to as sex before marriage is a topic of significant interest and debate among Christians and scholars alike. While the Bible does not explicitly use a specific term to describe premarital sex, it addresses the topic through various passages that emphasize the importance of sexual purity and fidelity within the bounds of marriage. Understanding these passages is crucial for interpreting the Bible’s stance on premarital sex.
1. The Creation Narrative: Genesis 2:24
One of the foundational texts regarding human sexuality is found in Genesis 2:24, which states, “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” This passage highlights the unity and exclusivity of the marriage relationship, suggesting that sexual intimacy is intended to be reserved for a husband and wife within the sanctity of marriage.
2. The Law of Moses: Leviticus 18:20-23
In the Law of Moses, sexual relations outside of marriage are explicitly forbidden. Leviticus 18:20-23 reads, “Moreover, thou shalt not lie with a male as with a woman: it is an abomination. Neither shalt thou lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith: neither shall any woman stand before a beast to lie down therewith: it is confusion. Do not defile yourselves in any of these ways, because this is how the nations that I am going to drive out before you became defiled. Even the land was defiled; so I punished it for its sin, and the land vomited out its inhabitants. But you must keep my decrees and my laws. You are to be holy because I am holy.” This passage clearly indicates that sexual relations outside of marriage are considered an abomination and a defilement of the land and its inhabitants.
3. The Proverbs: Proverbs 5:3-20
In Proverbs, there is a metaphorical poem that speaks of a virtuous woman and the dangers of engaging in premarital sex. Proverbs 5:3-20 reads, “For a man’s ways are in full view of the LORD, and he examines all his paths. To keep you from the evil woman, from the woman who turns your heart aside, who will do her harm with her enticing words, for at the window of my house I looked out through my lattice, and I saw among the simple, I noticed among the young men, a young man lacking judgment, passing along the city square near her corner. He took the stand at the corner by the entrance to the gate, in the city square at the entrance. He looked at the whole city, and saw a woman sitting at the window, at the opening, watching for men passing by. She was a virgin, not a wife, never defiled; her feet had not walked in the streets. She was naive, not knowing shame, untouched by evil, never walking in the sin of others. Now she is a wall, a barrier, an enclosure, to me, a shelter, a place of safety. I was a wall, a barrier, an enclosure, to my lover, a shelter, a place of safety. I was a wall, a barrier, an enclosure, to my lover, a shelter, a place of safety. Now you must keep watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life. Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it spring the sources of life. Put away from you a deceitful mouth, and put devious lips far from you. Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze straight in front of you. Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established. Do not turn to the right or to the left; remove your foot from evil.” This passage emphasizes the importance of sexual purity and the dangers of engaging in premarital sex.
4. The New Testament: 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
In the New Testament, the apostle Paul addresses the topic of sexual purity and the importance of marriage. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 reads, “Do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” This passage emphasizes the need for sexual purity and the consequences of engaging in premarital sex, as well as the possibility of redemption through faith in Jesus Christ.
In conclusion, while the Bible does not use a specific term to describe premarital sex, it addresses the topic through various passages that emphasize the importance of sexual purity and fidelity within the bounds of marriage. Understanding these passages is crucial for interpreting the Bible’s stance on premarital sex and for making informed decisions regarding one’s own sexual conduct.
