la - siv´i - us - nes ( ἀσέλγεια , asélgeia , "licentiousness," "wantonness," "unbridled lust," "shamelessness," "outrageousness"):
Etymologists assign three probable sources of aselgeia , namely: (1) from a compound of the alpha privitive (negation) and Σέλγη , Sélgē , a Pisidian city whose inhabitants according to Thayer ( New Testament Lexicon ) "excelled in strictness of morals," but, according to Trench, a place whose people "were infamous for their vices"; (2) from a compound of "a" intense, and σαλαγειν , salageı́n , "to raise a disturbance or noise"; (3) from a compound of the alpha privitive and σέλγω , sélgō , or θέλγω , thélgō , "exciting disgust or displeasure." It evidently means conduct and character that is unbecoming, indecent, unrestrainedly shameless.
Mark uses it in Mark 7:22 with uncertainty as to the vice meant. Paul ( 2 Corinthians 12:21 ) classes it with uncleanness and fornication as sins to be repented of; also (Galatians 5:19; compare The Wisdom of Solomon 14:26, "wantonness") puts it in the same catalogue with other works of the flesh; and (Ephesians 4:19 ) he refers to some aged ones so covetous, that they made trade of themselves by giving "themselves up to lasciviousness." The same word is translated "wantonness" in Romans 13:13 , meaning wanton manner, filthy words, unchaste movements of the body. Peter (1 Peter 4:3 ) mentions those who "walked in lasciviousness, lusts, winebibbings, revellings, carousings, and abominable idolatries." He speaks (2 Peter 2:2 ) of "lascivious doings" (the King James Version "pernicious ways"); (2 Peter 2:7 ) "lascivious life" (the King James Version "filthy conversation"); and (2 Peter 2:18 ) of "lasciviousness" (the King James Version "wantonness"), as a means "to entice in the lusts of the flesh." Judges 1:4 probably does not refer to any form of sensuality in using the word descriptive of "ungodly men" who perverted the faith of some and denied our only Master.
The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) was edited by James Orr, John Nuelsen, Edgar Mullins, Morris Evans, and Melvin Grove Kyle and was published complete in 1939. This web site includes the complete text.
WikipediaThe ISBE is a classic Bible reference compiled from nearly 10,000 entries written by over 200 different Bible scholars and teachers. In addition to the encyclopedia articles, all of the major words of the Bible are represented and defined.
The historical, cultural, and linguistic information in the ISBE can be of great value in Bible study and research.
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