biblical interputation

Biblical Interpretation

In the Bible, there is a major focus on what is considered to be adultery and a woman who is taken as a part of these concepts. To fully understand different theological interpretations requires comparing the conclusions from Matthew 5: 17 -30, Job 31, John 8: 8- 12. Genesis 38, Number 5: 11 -- 31 and Hosea 4: 14. These insights will illustrate specific practices which are considered to adultery.

Matthew 5: 17 -- 30

In this book, adultery is considered to be anyone who is looking at a woman lustfully. Evidence of this can be seen in Matthew 5: 27 -- 30 which says, "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell." This is illustrating how adultery is looking at someone and wanting them. To rectify this situation, it is suggested that the individual could lose a part of their body. (Holly Bible New International Version, 2007)

John 8: 2-11

In John 8: 2 -- 11, Jesus believes that the woman who is an adulterer must repent her sins to God and live her life. This is different from traditional philosophies with many stoning those who were determined to be in violation of this concpet. Evidence of this can be seen with him saying, "At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, 'Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?"No one, sir,' she said. Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin." This is showing how those who commit adultery; must confess their sins to God and ask for forgiveness. (Holly Bible New International Version, 2007)

Genesis 38

In Genesis 38, any woman who engages in adultery must live a life of isolation and celibacy until all of her children are grown. Evidence of this can be seen in the passage which says, "Live as a widow in your father's household until my son Shelah grows up. For he thought, 'He may die too, just like his brothers.' So Tamar went to live in her father's household." This is showing a contrasting interpretation of adultery and the remedies for it. (Holly Bible New International Version, 2007)

Numbers 5:11-31

In Numbers 5: 11 -- 31, it states that anyone who has committed adultery must go before a priest. This where they will live a life of condemnation and must accept their fate with the Bible saying, "The priest shall bring her and have her stand before the Lord. Then he shall take some holy water in a clay jar and put some dust from the tabernacle floor into the water. After the priest has had the woman stand before the Lord, he shall loosen her hair and place in her hands the reminder-offering, the grain offering for jealousy, while he himself holds the bitter water that brings a curse. Then the priest shall put the woman under oath and say to her, 'If no other man has had sexual relations with you and you have not gone astray and become impure while married to your husband, may this bitter water that brings a curse not harm you. But if you have gone astray while married to your husband and you have made yourself impure by having sexual relations with a man other than your husband' -- here the priest is to put the woman under this curse -- 'may the Lord cause you to become a curse among your people when he makes your womb miscarry and your abdomen swell. May this water that brings a curse enter your body so that your abdomen swells or your womb miscarries. Then the woman is to say, 'Amen. So be it." This is showing another perspective when it comes to adultery and the role of the woman. (Holly Bible New International Version, 2007)