Within Christianity, it’s generally understood and accepted that the word “fornication” refers to voluntary sexual intercourse outside of marriage. That’s how the dictionaries define it too. But recently I was told by a dear friend that fornication’s root meaning meant something else; that the Bible refers to the word only as prostitution. His point was that if money or bartering isn’t involved, sex outside of marriage is okay.
So I looked it up. In the Old Testament (OT), the Hebrew word for fornication is “zanah” (pronounced zaw-naw). It’s described as a root that’s highly fed because of its voracious need. “Zanah,” transferred to humans, is applied to loose, human sexual behavior, usually that of a female. We see words related to “zanah” such as “being for hire,” “harlotry,” and “whoredoms” (2 Chronicles 21: 11, Isaiah 23: 17, Ezekiel 16: 26).
I think the reason “fornication” is slighted more to the feminine is because God often referred to Israel and other countries as a woman. That shouldn’t be surprising. The spiritual nation of Christianity, after all, is referred to as a bride. However, because “fornication” in the OT is used in a national sense, it would certainly include men as well.
As for prostitution, Israel certainly sold its soul for acceptance among other nations. Often, without receiving anything in return, Israel indulged in relations with other cultures. Willingly and freely, Israel engaged in those countries’ values and religions. Payment wasn’t necessary, but Israel’s behavior – lusting and willing to perform to enjoy what others had – was appropriately likened to the actions of a prostitute.
Israel disregarded the safety and guidance of the One who had its best interests at heart. As is the need of harlots, whores, and adulterers, which are other definitions of “zanah,” Israel left God for other gods. And that points to the most frequent use and ultimate meaning of “fornication” in the OT. The meaning is spiritual. Fornication, in the OT, is symbolically used in the national sense of forsaking God and lusting after idols.
In the New Testament (NT), a few verses also speak of fornication in the spiritual, idolatrous sense (Revelation 14: 8; 17: 2, 4; 18: 3, 9). However, for the most part in the NT, fornication is used to describe physical acts of sexual immorality.
The NT’s Greek word translated “fornication” (used mainly in the King James versions) is “porneia” (pronounced por-ni’-ah). It too can figuratively point to idolatry, but it is literally used to denote harlotry, including incest and adultery.
In the NT, fornication, more times than not, is used in the ordinary sense in which we define it; meaning it has to do with the flesh. Frequently, fornication is associated with a spectrum of differing sexual acts outside of marriage; not just prostitution (Matthew 5: 32; 1 Corinthians 5: 1; 1 Corinthians 7: 2; Galatians 5: 19). Homosexuality, for example, is associated with fornication (Jude 1: 7).
Clearly, fornication, as used in the NT, has to do with sexual intercourse. It is a work of the flesh. It doesn’t matter whether it is paid for or not. What comes across as important is that if sexual matters take place outside of marriage – between a man and a woman – God views the actions as unworthy of a Christian.
From the Bible, I see that fornication, be it spiritual or physical, is applied to those who betray their relationship with God. Fornicators ignore the righteous wisdom He’s given us. Instead, they seek sexual pleasures with others because it’s acceptable in their own eyes.
The godly, righteous thing to do, however, is to view and engage in sexual relations only as God instructs us. I’ve no doubt that His will is for us to confine sexual activity within marriage. I am convinced of this by the words that He inspired the apostle Paul to say. God through Paul expresses His will in 1 Corinthians 7: 8, 9. “But I say to the unmarried and to the widows: It is good for them if they remain even as I am; but if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.”