Bible Word Study
Debauchery Meaning in the Bible
A simple guide to its meaning, Greek words, Bible verses and everyday translations.
| Quick answer | Detail |
|---|---|
| Simple meaning | Living without self-control, shame or moral limits |
| Main Greek words | aselgeia (Strong’s G766), asotia (Strong’s G810) |
| Best-known verses | Galatians 5:19, Ephesians 5:18, 1 Peter 4:3 |
| Often linked with | Sexual sin, drunkenness, wild parties and wasteful living |
| Hebrew equivalent | No single direct word; see the Hebrew section below |
What Is the Meaning of Debauchery in English?
Merriam-Webster describes debauchery as behaviour, especially sexual behaviour or behaviour involving alcohol or drugs, that some people find morally objectionable. It also notes that in a religious setting the word is deadly serious, while friends joking about a “night of debauchery” use it playfully.
| Point | What the dictionaries say |
|---|---|
| Part of speech | Noun; the verb is debauch |
| Core idea | Extreme indulgence in bodily pleasures |
| First known use | 1642 (Merriam-Webster); 1640s (Etymonline) |
| Origin | From French débaucher, “to lead astray”; the older root is uncertain |
| Similar words | Depravity, profligacy, dissipation, revelry and libertinism |
Debauchery Meaning in the Bible (Greek Words)
English Bibles use “debauchery” for more than one Greek word.
This is the main reason people get confused.
Strong’s G766
1. Aselgeia (ἀσέλγεια): Shameless Excess
Strong’s Lexicon explains aselgeia as outrageous conduct that shocks public decency. It points to unbridled lust and a lack of self-control and shame. Bill Mounce’s Greek dictionary
counts 10 uses in the New Testament.
Strong’s G810
2. Asotia (ἀσωτία): Reckless, Wasteful Living
Asotia is built from “not” plus the word for “save”. Lexicons describe it as a life that wastes itself through excess. A related word describes the prodigal son in Luke 15:13,
who wasted his money in wild living.
| Greek word | Sounds like | Core meaning | Verses |
|---|---|---|---|
ἀσέλγεια |
a-SEL-gay-a | Shameless lust, lewdness, outrageous conduct | Mark 7:22; Romans 13:13; 2 Corinthians 12:21; Galatians 5:19; Ephesians 4:19; 2 Peter 2:2, 7, 18 |
ἀσωτία |
a-so-TEE-a | Wasteful, reckless, dissolute life | Ephesians 5:18; Titus 1:6; 1 Peter 4:4 |
οἰνοφλυγία |
oy-no-floo-GEE-a | Heavy wine-drinking | 1 Peter 4:3 |
Impurity and Debauchery Meaning (Galatians 5:19)
Paul lists “sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery” among the acts of the flesh, in contrast to the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23). Each word covers a different angle.
| Word in Galatians 5:19 | Greek | Simple meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Sexual immorality | porneia | Sexual sin outside what God allows |
| Impurity | akatharsia | Moral uncleanness, a broad word |
| Debauchery | aselgeia | Doing it shamelessly, with no restraint |
Drunken Debauchery Meaning (Ephesians 5:18)
Ephesians 5:18 tells believers not to get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery (asotia), and to be filled with the Spirit instead. The pastor-written Substack article I reviewed explains why the word fits: a person ruled by cravings acts as if they are not saved.
| Cause | Result | Better path |
|---|---|---|
| Drunkenness | Loss of control and wise judgement | Be filled with the Spirit |
| Wild living (Luke 15:13) | Wasted money and health | Live thoughtfully, as the wise do |
Debauchery Meaning in Hebrew
The Old Testament was written in Hebrew, and BibleHub’s lexicon says there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for aselgeia. It points to related ideas instead:
| Hebrew word | Strong’s | Usual sense |
|---|---|---|
| זִמָּה (zimmah) |
H2154 | Lewdness, wickedness |
| נְבָלָה (nebalah) |
H5039 | Folly, outrage, moral disgrace |
This is a lexicon’s suggestion of related terms, not a strict one-to-one translation. Check a Hebrew lexicon or a scholar if you need exact wording.
Debauchery Meaning in Farsi
Persian dictionaries translate “debauchery” mainly as فسق و فجور (fisq o fujur), and also as
عیاشی (revelry) and هرزگی (promiscuity), according to Abadis.
Debauchery Meaning in Hindi (for Indian Readers)
The closest everyday Hindi word is ऐयाशी (aiyashi). A Hindi-English dictionary lists it as debauchery, lewdness, lechery and living in luxury. Rekhta also gives व्यभिचार and लंपटता among its meanings.
| Hindi word | English | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ऐयाशी | Debauchery, luxury-seeking | Can also mean only a luxurious life, so context matters |
| ऐयाश | A debauched person, rake | Used for a person |
| व्यभिचार | Adultery, sexual immorality | Narrower than debauchery |
How Bible Versions Translate Aselgeia
The same Greek word appears under different English names, so a verse can look different in each Bible.
| Version | Word used |
|---|---|
| NIV, BSB | Debauchery |
| ESV, NASB | Sensuality |
| NKJV | Lewdness |
| KJV | Lasciviousness / wantonness |
Types and Phrases: What Each Debauchery Meaning
| Phrase | Simple meaning |
|---|---|
| Sexual debauchery | Excessive, shameless sexual behaviour |
| Drunken debauchery | Wild behaviour caused by heavy drinking |
| Hedonistic debauchery | Making pleasure the main goal of life |
| Lewd debauchery | Crude, indecent behaviour |
| Diabolic debauchery | Extremely wicked excess; figurative use |
| Inciting debauchery | Encouraging others toward such behaviour |
| Night / day of debauchery | A short, wild period of excess, often said playfully |
| Life of debauchery | A long-term pattern of such living |
The last rows are general dictionary senses, not Bible phrases.
Debauchery Meaning in Slang
In everyday talk, “debauchery” often just means a wild night out. Merriam-Webster notes this playful use. The word is much heavier in the Bible than in casual chat.
Is Debauchery Forgivable in the Bible?
Christianity.com says the Bible does not treat it as unforgivable, though it calls it evil. In 2 Corinthians 12:21, Paul grieves over people who have not repented of impurity, sexual immorality and debauchery. The problem is staying in it without repentance.
Key Takeaways Of Debauchery Meaning
- Debauchery is shameless, unrestrained indulgence, not only a single wrong act.
- The Bible uses aselgeia (shameless lust) and asotia (wasteful living).
- Drunkenness is directly linked to debauchery in Ephesians 5:18.
- Hebrew has no single matching word; Hindi ऐयाशी and Farsi فسق و فجور are the nearest dictionary matches.
FAQs About Debauchery Meaning
Is debauchery the same as hedonism?
No. Hedonism is the belief that pleasure is life’s main goal. Debauchery is the excessive, immoral behaviour that can
result from it.
Does the Bible say enjoying wine or a feast is debauchery?
No. The Substack author notes that the Bible speaks of wine as a blessing but warns against its abuse. The problem is drunkenness and loss of control, not enjoying God’s gifts in moderation.
Which Bible version is best for studying this word?
Compare two or three, for example NIV and ESV, with a Greek lexicon such as BibleHub or Bill Mounce’s dictionary, because translators choose different English words for the same Greek term.
