"an adulteress, Rom. 7:3; Jas. 4:4; by meton., an adulterous appearance, lustful significance, 2 Pet. 2:14; from the Hebrew, spiritually adulterous, faithless, ungodly, Mt. 12:39; 16:4; Mk. 8:38*"
Definition and meaning
an adulteress, Rom. 7:3; Jas. 4:4; by meton., an adulterous appearance, lustful significance, 2 Pet. 2:14; from the Hebrew, spiritually adulterous, faithless, ungodly, Mt. 12:39; 16:4; Mk. 8:38*
In the original Greek the word is written: μοιχαλίς
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of moichalis (G3428) across the King James Bible.
But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:
A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.
Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.
So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.
Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:
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Common questions
Strong's G3428 (moichalis) is a Greek word that means: an adulteress, Rom. 7:3; Jas. 4:4; by meton., an adulterous appearance, lustful significance, 2 Pet. 2:14; from the Hebrew, spiritually adulterous, faithless, ungodly, Mt. 12:39; 16:4; Mk. 8:38* It appears 6 times in the King James Bible.
The word moichalis (G3428) appears 6 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G3428 is moichalis, a Greek word defined as: an adulteress, Rom. 7:3; Jas. 4:4; by meton., an adulterous appearance, lustful significance, 2 Pet. 2:14; from the Hebrew, spiritually adulterous, fa. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
moichalis is a Greek word found in the New Testament.