₦airaland Forum

The word fornication comes from three separate words in the Bible, two from the Hebrew and one from the Greek. These words all share similar connotations. Each can mean literal fornication between two unmarried persons in a marriage contract; however, it can also signify adultery, whoredom, or an act of unfaithfulness on the part of Yahweh’s people.

The first place the word fornication is used in the Old Testament is found in II Chronicles 21:81. The word fornication found in this passage is from the Hebrew, No. 2181, Zanah, and is defined by Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible as follows: "to commit adultery (usually on the female, and less often of simple fornication, rarely of involuntary ravishment); fig. To commit idolatry (the Jewish people being regarded as the spouse of [Yahweh])…"

One thing that might be noted is that the Strong’s only offers a broad definition and not an exact definition. Therefore, to completely understand the usage of a particular word in the Hebrew or Greek, one must examine the context of the passage in question.

Many times you may find a more detailed definition in a word study or a lexicon. While, these sources often prove to be valuable in the understanding of many Hebrew and Greek words, a person also must acknowledge the fact that these were written by man and can be inaccurate in some instances.

For example, The Complete Word Study Old Testament offers a more decisive definition than found in Strong’s. It notes on page 2312 in its Lexical Aid, "To fornicate, commit fornication, be a harlot, play the harlot, commit adultery; to apostatize, have intercourse with false g-ds or foreigners; to seduce. The main idea is to commit illicit sexual intercourse, particularly with women. However, this strong image is used in a figurative sense to describe illegal contact between Israel and other nations and their g-ds…"

The Complete Word Study Old Testament suggests three possible meanings for the Hebrew word "zanah." The first being fornication (pre-marital, illicit sex), the second being adultery (marital, illicit sex), and the third being idolatry (worship of a person or thing besides Yahweh).

The second word denoting fornication in the English is found only once in the Hebrew, in Ezekiel 16:29. The word fornication in this passage is from the Hebrew, No. 8457, taznuth, and simply means a type of idolatry. Being that this word is only used once, the quest for an exact definition should not be too exhausting.

The third word signifying fornication is found in the Greek and is first used in Matthew 5:32. This word derives from the Greek word, No. 4202, porneia and is defined in the Strong’s as follows, "from 4203; harlotry (incl. Adultery and incest); fig. Idolatry: - fornication."

Again, we only find a broad definition for this Greek word, "porneia." Porneia is used 32 times in the New Testament and conveys many different definitions.

For example, the word fornication in Matthew 5:32 is often taken to denote an act of adultery, however an in-depth study will prove this understanding false, and confirm the real usage of this Greek word "porneia" in this particular passage, which is fornication, pre-material sex.

In the fifth chapter of 1 Corinthians Paul admonishes the Corinthian assembly to remove the sin that they were allowing in the assembly. One of the sins listed by the Apostle was a gentile committing "fornication" with his father’s wife. Now this is not what we consider fornication, but more accurately this signifies incest with his stepmother.

Trying to pinpoint this word without examining the passage in question is like trying to find a needle in a haystack. Fornication in either the Hebrew or Greek can have and denote a wide range of definitions. It can mean literal fornication, adultery, harlotry, incest, pedophilia, bestiality, or any other sexual restriction that Yahweh has placed for mankind to observe.

http://www.yrm.org/qna-fornication.htm

[quote author=trini_girl link=topic=35449.msg811273#msg811273 date=1168538626]If fornication is a sin, and pre marital sex is the opposite of fornication , then u tell me , is pre martial sex a sin?[/quote]How is premarital sex the opposite of fornication?  (Opposite? )

[quote author=trini_girl link=topic=35449.msg811273#msg811273 date=1168538626]So far, no one has solidly shown me an argument that proves otherwise.[/quote]You do not need an argument.  What you need is fact, and that has been provided already.  If you'll agree with thousands of definitions of words offered by the dictionary, but will be so quick to reject the definition of a single word offered by the same dictionary, just to suit your own prejudice, then I see that as pure hypocrisy.

[quote author=trini_girl link=topic=35449.msg811040#msg811040 date=1168531250]@ goodguy
How many boyfriends I have had or have not had is not yours or any body else's damn business!  Assume, presume, speculate and judge all you wish. If you cannot keep focussed on the issue and hand, and not my personal life then you are in the wrong place.[/quote]That question was meant to be rhetorical.  I am not in any way making your personal life my business.  It is actually none of my business.

[quote author=trini_girl link=topic=35449.msg811040#msg811040 date=1168531250]Lexicographers or whoever are very biased! Of course! Because as the world changes, they conform to the world.  New words are created every day as the need arises, so too definition of words are being modified as the need arises.[/quote]I guess we (or maybe just you) should start taking everything in the dictionary with a pinch of salt.

[quote author=trini_girl link=topic=35449.msg811040#msg811040 date=1168531250]Historically, the word "marriage" has always been assumed to be the biblical definition of marriage ie ,  man and woman, to create a nuclear family, joined in the eyes of God.  Civil union is a separate definition, marriage is more than a "union".  With the onset of the gay agenda, the definition of marriage has been manipulated/modified to include same sex unions ,  which is completely contrary to the Biblical meaning of the word and the purpose for which God intended it to be,[/quote]It's nice to know you acknowledge the fact that marriage has always been assumed to be what you said it is.  I agree with you on that.  But the lexical makeup of the word makes us realise that it is actually union, and that is why the word itself is applicable to so many other things, apart from man and woman.  Just as the word "couple" is not applicabe to husband and wife alone.  Now I am talking about the grammar here, not the act of marriage itself, as has always been assumed.

[quote author=trini_girl link=topic=35449.msg811067#msg811067 date=1168531837]@ good guy

indirect promisuity

Promiscuous sexual behaviour is the act of simultaneously indulging in sexual activity with multiple partners.
So exactly how am I "indirectly" supporting promiscuity?

I have clearly stated that I do not. [/quote]Again, I am not exactly directing my post particularly to you.  As to how you indirectly support promiscuity, I'll just copy and paste my post here again:  Since according to you, pre-marital sex is right, as long as you're doing it with someone you're committed to; and if you break up and you end up being committed to someone else, you're right to do the same again. . and on and on like that.  Isn't that promiscuity on its own (multiple partners), hence, fornication?

Hey Queenzy, how are you doing? Yeah, it's been a long time indeed.


Remain Blessed.

Yours In Christ. .

(Olorioko)

[quote author=trini_girl link=topic=35449.msg810907#msg810907 date=1168528500]I have provided solid evidence that pre marital sex and fornication are not the same, yet I have not seen any evidence that shows that pre marital sex is wrong.[/quote]maybe you should start by telling us your definition of premarital sex.

[quote author=trini_girl link=topic=35449.msg810907#msg810907 date=1168528500]Again, I am not encouraging promisuity (fornication), simply stating the facts.[/quote]Unfortunately, these facts of yours are indirectly encouraging promiscuity.  Or how else do you explain an instance where you're committed to Mr. A and you sleep with him out of "committment", then along the line, you find out you aren't compatible, and then disengage.  Then you meet Mr. B, fall in love and also commit yourself to him, same thing happens again. .  and then continues like a cycle??  Since according to you, pre-marital sex is right, as long as you're doing it with someone you're committed to; and if you break up and you end up being committed to someone else, you're right to do the same again. . and on and on like that.  Isn't that promiscuity on its own, hence, fornication?

[quote author=trini_girl link=topic=35449.msg810838#msg810838 date=1168526990]Goodguy,

What you call "simple english" has also changed the definition of marriage to include homsexuals and lesbians.

So if we conform to "simple english" definitions that we manipulate to suit our needs and not the true real root meaning of words, then you're inferrig that homosexual marriage is acceptable. Yes?[/quote]Are we talking of what is acceptable now, or the root meaning of a word?

Marriage is a union.  If the two people involved in this union are of the same sex, that does not make it acceptable.  But it is still a union, nonetheless.  That the two individuals involved are of the same sex does not make it any less of a marriage.

BTW, what do you mean by definitions being manipulated?  Are you saying lexicographers are generally biased?

Also as battleaxe asked, how many boyfriends or fiancees have you had?  Are you saying it is okay to keep sleeping with each of them after each break up, simply because one is committed during the course of the relationship?  For how long will you keep defiling yourself all in the name of committment? 

Above all, remember Hebrew 13:4.

@ trini girl,

While you're right about the etymology of the word "Fornication", it is also important to note that the word itself has metamorphosed into a widely accepted meaning (just like most words used today).  In simple English, fornication means "voluntary sexual intercourse between two unmarried persons or two persons not married to each other."

Pre-marital sex IS fornication!

I 'heard' the cut-off for MBBS is 70. But then, I know someone that scored 71.2 and still wasn't shortlisted for the Interactive session. I think what the school needs is "Settlement". If you're keen on getting into that school, then you need to buy your way in.

Ah! You'll be shocked to know what even 10yr old girls are up to these days. Naah, I ain't eyeing no 10yr olds.

Whiteshark with the red unblinking eyes (hope I got that right? ), nice to have you here bro.  Seun is no longer a dictator o!  He's very cool now.

Hey Layi, Rolly is Casper's sister, not Sodgi's.  I gotta invite her here now.  I sent the link to Lizzy yesterday, I wonder why she isn't here yet.

Guys, where's nicetohave?  And snazzy, where's my pal, Advin?

Now I'm feeling like an elder here.  2 yrs on Nairaland already, wow!    (It's 1 yr 4 months actually )

That's carelessness.  I don't regard that as a mistake.  Depending on the situation on ground, I may or may not forgive.

Actually, I'll forgive, but it'll be hard.  Infact, that marriage may never be the same again.

Donzman:
Lots of good things must have happened in 10 years, you're just going to let one wrongdoing cover all of that?. . .

My point exactly.  Really, it isn't reasonable. That's the point I was trying to pass across on page 5 of this thread.

Aburo, I have been fighting all over nairaland. That's how I've been doing.


It's nice to have you too back.

Radiant, to each one his view!

hey, snazzydagbosa. how are you doing?

yeah! To each one his view.

windywendy:
The adulterer deserves a second chance if he/she has been loyal for a while Yeah, like the murderer deserves not to go to jail if he/she has committed the crime only once in the last 50+ years.

Murder is a much more serious case that involves the loss of a life (or lives).  It's unlike cheating that communication and build of trust is all that is required to be happy again, and as such, shouldn't be compared to murder in any way.  

This is not to say I do not agree with you anyway.  Carry on!

Believe it or not, there are still plenty of them out there.

Were you out of the country? Where do you live? You chose a school and refused to follow updates about it? Na wa o! I doubt if anything can be done about your case, but who knows, you can still try your luck. Go to the school and find out what's up.

If you're referring to ToH's thread, obviously you didn't get my message. It was TOH I implied barged into my thread, not you. Read it again.

davidylan:
its better to reason than to hyperventilate anytime you see my name.

I should be the one telling you this. As far as it's goodguy's post, you just don't see anything good in it.

The post of one that called you a dumbass is more sensible than the one that didn't call you any names? How softer did you expect me to reply? Anyway, it's biting me because you're derailing my thread.

davidylan: every time i bump into a thread with eurph, rad or toh there you and goodguy are!

Funny how you only bump into threads with them there, and me interferring; never the other way round.  Who was it that barged into the 'Muslim men beards' thread again?

And you say you're being honest.  

As far as I can remember, I have only been involved vigorously in one thread with Eurphoria and Radiant, and three threads with TOH.

And as far as I can remember, on each of these threads, I was attacked by them for posting my opinion.

And isn't it funny how on these threads you bump into, you're always on their side (TOH especially), even when they're wrong?

I hope you're aware you are guilty of the very thing you accuse me of?  It's very obvious you're the one sucking up to these ladies, for only-God-knows-what.

Why will I be looking for girls on the Internet of all places?  It's not even like these ladies are in Lagos or anywhere near Nigeria that I'll be 'cyber-pursuing' them around.  For what?   Why will I be putting up a fight with a lady I'm interested in?  That sounds like something we used to do back then in Primary school.  If at all I'm interested in any lady here, I will even be supporting her, even when it's very obvious she's wrong, just to get her attention, and that's exactly what you're doing here.  So who's the one looking for ladies on Nairaland now?

I post my opinion, I'm being attacked for it, I fire back, and I'm being called the trouble maker and the lady seeker.

And you're the same person that'll be the first to call me a hyprocrite and tell me I'm genuflecting if I ignore their insults.  This only goes to prove the veracity of my statement on the other thread:  If you ignore their insults, you're called names.  If you retaliate, you're still called names.

Well, it's all good.


And in all fairness, Donzman did absolutely nothing wrong to warrant all those insults hurled at him (I'm with TerraCotta on this one).  It's funny how you, David, did not 'observe' that.

Time really flies indeed.  Our set was indeed the best.


Wesley, still remember our "intellectual conversations"?

@ ThiefOfHearts,

Why can't you just be sensible for once? Why are you so cantankerous? You keep going offtopic by insulting everyone that opposes your views, yet you want them to stay on topic at the same time. How do you reason?

I'll ignore further comments from you, for now.

Back to the topic everyone.

You're welcome.

But guys, please ease off the gas!

I'm really getting tired of all these ad hominems, usually initiated by the ladies obviously.

No person(s) should be disparaged for bringing forth their valued opinions.  If you disagree with them, present your points peacefully to counter theirs.  Make them see why they are wrong, if actually they are.  Even the Bible acknowledges the fact that soft answer turns away anger (Prov 15:1).  No insults please!


_{I expect someone to call me a hypocrite now.}

kobesosimi:
My point is that no person(s) should be belittled for bringing forth their valued opinions.

Well said! Thank you!!

IMO - [b]I[/b]n [b]M[/b]y [b]O[/b]pinion

IMHO - [b]I[/b]n [b]M[/b]y [b]H[/b]umble [b]O[/b]pinion

I really don't get it. What of our own WhoGoBuy?

Craigslist has been dominated by Nigerian scammers. That's where virtually all of them "shop" for goods. It really gets and keeps me wondering how these foreigners keep falling for the same scam on the same website every time.

Talking about a Craigslist community for Nigerians, I don't think that would be necessary, as it may never work out fine. Who would want to trade with a Nigerian, talkess of buying things from Nigeria?

Even there, Egypt is the only African country on Craigslist.

davidylan:
halleluja! Jehova be praised! Obantalarapipi himself has changed! In yesteryears, this thread would have been deleted pronto and the poster banned with immediate effect.

Wow 2007 will be great afterall!

And why on earth would Seun have deleted the thread and banned the poster? He's not stupid. You people just provoke the admin unnecessarily with your stupid comments, and later claim he's being wicked when you're banned.

What's your problem, David? Donzman is well known for his sarcasm on this forum, so I don't know why you're making this an issue.

Sister Radiant, Aunty Eurphoria, Good night. I'm off!

Ugwumba, thanks for bringing us back on track. That was a nice post by the way.