Original Word: πορνεύω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: porneuó
Pronunciation: por-nyoo'-o
Phonetic Spelling: (porn-yoo'-o)
Definition: To commit fornication, to engage in sexual immorality
Meaning: I fornicate; met: I practice idolatry.

commit fornication.

From porne; to act the harlot, i.e. (literally) indulge unlawful lust (of either sex), or (figuratively) practise idolatry -- commit (fornication).

see GREEK porne

Cognate: 4203 porneúō – commit fornication (sexual immorality); (figuratively) to be unfaithful to Christ, while posing as His true follower. See 4202 (porneia).

Word Origin
from porné
Definition
to commit fornication
NASB Translation
act immorally (1), commit...immorality (2), committed...immorality (3), did (1), immoral (1).

STRONGS NT 4203: πορνεύω

πορνεύω; 1 aorist ἐπόρνευσα; (πόρνος, πόρνη which see); the Sept. for זָנָה; in Greek writings ((Herodotus), Demosthenes, Aeschines, Dio Cassius, Lucian, others)

1. to prostitute one's body to the lust of another. In the Scriptures

2. to give oneself to unlawful sexual intercourse; to commit fornication (Vulg.fornicor): 1 Corinthians 6:18; 1 Corinthians 10:8; Revelation 2:14, 20; (Mark 10:19 WH (rejected) marginal reading).

3. by a Hebraism (see πορνεία, b.) metaphorically, to be given to idolatry, to worship idols: 1 Chronicles 5:25; Psalm 72:27 (); Jeremiah 3:6; Ezekiel 23:19; Hosea 9:1, etc.; μετά τίνος, to permit oneself to be drawn away by another into idolatry, Revelation 17:2; Revelation 18.

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek word πόρνη (pornē), meaning "prostitute" or "harlot."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • זָנָה (zanah) [Strong's Hebrew 2181]: Often translated as "to commit fornication" or "to play the harlot," this term is used in the Hebrew Bible to describe both literal sexual immorality and metaphorical idolatry.
• נָאַף (na'aph) [Strong's Hebrew 5003]: Meaning "to commit adultery," this term is used to describe unfaithfulness in marriage and is also applied metaphorically to spiritual unfaithfulness to God.

In summary, πορνεύω is a term that encapsulates both physical acts of immorality and the broader spiritual implications of unfaithfulness to God, serving as a warning and a call to holiness for believers.

Usage: The verb πορνεύω is used in the New Testament to describe acts of sexual immorality, including fornication and adultery. It is often employed in a metaphorical sense to depict spiritual unfaithfulness or idolatry, where the people of God are seen as being unfaithful to their covenant relationship with Him.

Context: The term πορνεύω appears in several New Testament passages, emphasizing both literal and metaphorical meanings. In its literal sense, it refers to engaging in illicit sexual activities, which are condemned in various scriptural contexts. For instance, in 1 Corinthians 6:18, believers are admonished to "Flee from sexual immorality" (BSB), highlighting the call to purity and holiness in the Christian life.

Metaphorically, πορνεύω is used to describe the spiritual infidelity of God's people. In Revelation 17:2, the imagery of fornication is applied to the nations that have been led astray by the corrupting influence of Babylon, symbolizing a departure from true worship and allegiance to God. This usage underscores the seriousness with which Scripture views idolatry and spiritual compromise.

The concept of πορνεύω is deeply rooted in the Old Testament understanding of Israel's covenant relationship with God, where idolatry is often depicted as spiritual adultery. This metaphorical application serves as a powerful reminder of the call to faithfulness and the dangers of turning away from God to pursue other allegiances.

επορνευσαν επόρνευσαν ἐπόρνευσαν επόρνευσας επόρνευσε επόρνευσεν πορνεύοντα πορνεύοντες πορνευσαι πορνεύσαι πορνεῦσαι πορνευσαντες πορνεύσαντες πορνεύσει πορνεύσης πορνεύσουσιν πορνεύσωσι πορνευωμεν πορνεύωμεν πορνευων πορνεύων eporneusan epórneusan porneuomen porneuōmen porneúomen porneúōmen porneuon porneuōn porneúon porneúōn porneusai porneûsai porneusantes porneúsantesInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts