adultery

Everyday

1. (Bible, church, law) When a married person has a loving, romantic or sexual relationship with someone who is not their husband or wife. tree →
2. (Bible) One of the sins named in the Ten Commandments: "You shall not commit adultery." tree →

In the lessons

Met in Bible lessons and religious education as one of the Ten Commandments, and in adult life as a reason for divorce. It tells the reader that a marriage promise has been broken. Christians believe marriage is a lifelong promise of faithfulness. Phrases: commit adultery, the commandment against adultery.

Examples

• The seventh commandment says, "You shall not commit adultery." tree →
• The teacher explained that adultery means breaking the promise of marriage. tree →
• In the story, the king's adultery brought great trouble to his family. tree →
• Many religions teach that adultery is wrong. tree →
• Adultery can be one reason a marriage ends in divorce. tree →
• The Bible tells how King David committed adultery and later was sorry. tree →
• The vicar spoke about faithfulness and the harm adultery causes. tree →

Note

Uncountable: no plural. The verb phrase is "commit adultery". A person who does it is an adulterer. It has nothing to do with "adult" meaning grown-up in the ordinary sense, although the words look alike. A serious, grown-up topic; talk about it respectfully.

In Jewish tradition

Leviticus 20 lists it among the serious forbidden unions.

Interpretation. The rabbis counted it among the gravest offenses, and in practice required strict proof for any punishment.

Examples

• And the man that committeth adultery with another man's wife, even he that committeth adultery with his neighbour's wife, both the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death. (Torah LEV.20.10, JPS 1917) tree →
• Thou wife that committest adultery, that takest strangers instead of thy husband — (Prophets EZK.16.32, JPS 1917) tree →
• He that committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding; he doeth it that would destroy his own soul. (Writings PRO.6.32, JPS 1917) tree →
• Swearing and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery! they break all bounds, and blood toucheth blood. (Prophets HOS.4.2, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Uncountable: no plural. The verb phrase is "commit adultery". A person who does it is an adulterer. It has nothing to do with "adult" meaning grown-up in the ordinary sense, although the words look alike. A serious, grown-up topic; talk about it respectfully.