God’s Image Study • Commandment 7: You Shall Not Commit Adultery
“You shall not commit adultery.”
— Exodus 20:14, LSB
As we begin the seventh commandment, we will follow its wording, the relationships involved, and the ways Scripture describes faithfulness and unfaithfulness.
Our previous commandment brought us from the act of murder into hatred, intention, speech, and love. Jesus also brings the command against adultery into an examination of the heart.
Begin with the Wording
The Hebrew command is לֹא תִּנְאָף — lōʾ tinʾāph: You shall not commit adultery.
The verb comes from נָאַף — nāʾaph (H5003), meaning to commit adultery. The negative לֹא — lōʾ belongs with the verb; together they form the prohibition. Examine Exodus 20:14 in Hebrew.
We will examine how this word is used, who is being addressed, and what relationship is being violated. Those details help us follow each passage without losing its context.
The Heart Is Included
Jesus repeats the command:
“YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY”
— Matthew 5:27, LSB, excerpt
The capitalized wording points back to Exodus 20:14 and Deuteronomy 5:18.
He then speaks of looking at a woman to lust for her and identifies adultery already committed with her in the heart. His teaching requires us to examine desire as well as outward conduct. Read Matthew 5:27–28.
What we allow ourselves to desire therefore belongs within this study.
Follow the Prophets’ Use of Adultery
Jeremiah 3 also uses adultery language when describing Israel and Judah’s unfaithfulness. The chapter connects that accusation with their turning toward other objects of worship, including stones and trees. Read Jeremiah 3:6–10, ASV.
This brings allegiance to YHWH (יהוה) into the examination. We must follow the relationships the passage names and the conduct it describes.
Our earlier Bridegroom and Bride study will remain alongside these passages as we encounter connections concerning union, faithfulness, and competing allegiance.
Keep Love Before Us
Jesus’ answer in Matthew 22:37–40 continues to guide our examination of the commandments: love for God and love for our neighbor. Faithfulness must be considered within those relationships. Read Matthew 22:37–40.
As we begin, we can ask: What does Scripture identify as unfaithfulness, and what does it reveal about the desires and allegiances of the heart?
This examination of spiritual unfaithfulness leads us toward a separate Babylon Study, which will follow the completion of Commandment 7. We will examine how Scripture describes Babylon, her relationship with those drawn to her, and the instruction to come out of her. Understanding these connections will help us examine whose voice we follow and where our allegiance rests.
Threads to Follow
The Hebrew word: Examine further uses of nāʾaph and the relationships involved.
Desire and the heart: Follow Jesus’ wording in Matthew 5:27–28.
Faithfulness toward God: Compare the prophets’ descriptions while preserving the roles and context of each passage.
The books were opened…
🌿 By Maria Emilia
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