7th Commandment: Do Not Commit Adultery
5/25/20261 hr 7 min
The 10 Commandments E10 — The short commandment, “Do not commit adultery,” assumes that every marriage is vitally important and just as worth protecting as a human life. But why is a marriage covenant so important in the Bible? The biblical authors consider marriage to be a great mystery that points to something cosmic: God’s faithful commitment to humanity. In this episode, Jon and Tim explore the meaning of marriage in the Bible, and how its deeper values are relevant to both married and unmarried people.
FULL SHOW NOTES
For chapter-by-chapter summaries, biblical words, referenced Scriptures, and reflection questions, check out the full show notes for this episode.
CHAPTERS
- Defining Adultery and Reflecting on its Penalty (0:00-15:00)
- Israel’s Unique Prohibitions Against Adultery (15:00-25:08)
- Genesis 1-2’s Meditations on Man and Woman as One (25:08-42:42)
- Marriage as a Reflection of God’s Covenant with His People (42:42-53:54)
- Recap and Sacrificial Love as the Highest Value (53:54-1:07:04)
OFFICIAL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT
View this episode’s official transcript.
THE 10 COMMANDMENTS BIBLEPROJECT TRANSLATION
View our full translation of the 10 Commandments.
REFERENCED RESOURCES
- Find the related animated video for this episode here.
- Being God's Image: Why Creation Still Matters by Carmen Joy Imes
- “Grace – therefore, Holy” - sermon by Timothy Keller
- Check out Tim’s extensive collection of recommended books.
SHOW MUSIC
- “Purple Clouds” by Lofi Sunday feat. Marc Vanparla
- “Faithful” by Lofi Sunday feat. Marc Vanparla
- “Be Like Water” by Lofi Sunday feat. Zairis TéJion
- BibleProject theme song by TENTS
SHOW CREDITS
Production of today’s episode is by Lindsey Ponder, producer, and Cooper Peltz, managing producer. Tyler Bailey and Aaron Olsen edited today’s episode and provided the sound design and mix. JB Witty writes the show notes. Our host and creative director is Jon Collins, and our lead scholar is Tim Mackie.
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Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsJon Collins· Host0:00
[upbeat music] We are in a series on the Ten Commandments, or as the Bible calls them, the 10 words. These are not rules to check off a list. These are an invitation to rethink how we relate to God and humanity in a way that creates life and flourishing. Today, we'll look at command number 7, don't commit adultery.
Tim Mackie· Host0:25
It's two words in Hebrew, lo tin'af, which means to violate another couple's marriage covenant. Breaking it, shattering it, that's what na'af means.
Jon Collins· Host0:35
And flip this command over, and it's a unique invitation.
Tim Mackie· Host0:40
Protect the covenant marriage partnership of your neighbor as if you were protecting their life, even if it comes at great cost to yourself.
Jon Collins· Host0:49
So why is the marriage covenant so important in the Bible? Well, the answer starts in a place that if you're a regular listener to the show, you might anticipate.
Tim Mackie· Host0:59
Where would I go if I want to meditate on the nature and purpose of a marriage partnership between a man and a woman? Happens to be the subject of much focus in the seven-day creation narrative and the Eden narrative.
Jon Collins· Host1:11
And we'll discover that the Bible thinks of marriage in cosmic terms. It's a symbol that teaches us a mystery about God.
Tim Mackie· Host1:19
Marriage is a symbol of the Creator's relentless focus, love, and loyalty towards creation, that He would