ἐκπορνεύω
ekporneúō
G1608 verb
SILEX Entry
Definition
To indulge in sexual immorality or licentious behavior, to engage in gross or excessive sexual unfaithfulness. The term often conveys an intensified or total abandonment to sexual immorality beyond ordinary πορνεύω (to practice sexual immorality), with a sense of total surrender or unrestrained behavior. In extended or metaphorical contexts, it refers to abandoning fidelity in a broader sense, such as religious infidelity (idolatry).
Semantic Range
to indulge in unrestrained sexual immorality, to be utterly licentious, to abandon oneself to sexual excess, to commit egregious immorality, to be utterly unfaithful (especially in a religious sense)
Root / Etymology
From ἐκ ('out of, from') as an intensifying prefix and πορνεύω ('to practice sexual immorality, to fornicate'), thus intensifying the base meaning to denote utter or complete engagement in such behavior.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical and Hellenistic Greek, ἐκπορνεύω is attested rarely and primarily in late writings. In Koine Greek, especially as found in the Septuagint (notably Ezekiel 23) and in Jude 7 in the New Testament, it describes a heightened degree of πορνεία, emphasizing total abandonment to sexual excess or, metaphorically, to other forms of infidelity (notably idolatry, as interpreted in some passages of the Septuagint). English translations such as 'give oneself over to fornication,' 'indulge in gross immorality,' or 'commit egregious sexual immorality' attempt to capture the intensive nuance. The term does not refer to a specific act, but rather to the attitude or manner of complete, habitual, or unrestrained practice of what is considered immoral behavior in the sexual or religious domain. The intensifying ἐκ- prefix distinguishes it from simple πορνεύω by indicating an 'out of bounds' or excessive quality. Later Jewish Hellenistic literature likewise uses this form to speak of both literal and metaphorical faithlessness.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from ἐκ and πορνεύω; to be utterly unchaste:--give self over to fornication.
Root Family
ἐκπορνεύω (ekporneuō) — to practice sexual immorality, to fornicate, to indulge in licentiousness
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1608-01 |
ἐκπορνεύσασαι | ekporneusasai | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM F PL |
indulged in sexual immorality | having utterly indulged in sexual immorality | having utterly indulged in sexual immorality | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G1608-01 |
Jude 1:7 | ἐκπορνεύσασαι | ekporneusasai | V AOR ACT PTCP NOM F PL |
indulged in sexual immorality | having utterly indulged in sexual immorality | having utterly indulged in sexual immorality |