ἀσχημ-οσύνη G0808
shameful behavior, indecency, private parts (euphemism)
A noun denoting shameful or indecent behavior, or euphemistically referring to private parts. Paul describes homosexual acts as 'shameless acts' or 'indecency' (Romans 1:27). Revelation 16:15 warns about walking naked and having one's shame exposed. Classical usage ranged from lack of grace or awkwardness to moral impropriety to euphemistic reference to genitals. The Septuagint used it for nakedness or shameful exposure.
Senses
1. sense 1 — The two occurrences span the semantic range: sexual immorality (Rom 1:27) and shameful exposure/nakedness (Rev 16:15). Romans emphasizes the shamelessness of the acts themselves. Revelation uses clothing imagery for spiritual vigilance, where nakedness represents unprepared shame. The Septuagint background of this term as euphemism for genitals informs both passages. Multilingual evidence shows 'shame/indecency' as the primary rendering across all four languages. 2×
AR["الفاحِشَةَ", "عَورَتَهُ"]·ben["লজ্জা", "লজ্জাজনক-কাজ"]·DE["Schande"]·EN["shame", "shamelessness"]·FR["honte", "indécence"]·heb["עֶרְוָתוֹ", "תּוֹעֵבָה"]·HI["लज्जा", "लज्जाजनक-कार्य"]·ID["kecabulan", "kemaluan"]·IT["aschēmosunēn", "indecenza"]·jav["kanisthan", "wirang"]·KO["부끄러움", "부끄러움을"]·PT["vergonha"]·RU["бесстыдство", "срамоту"]·ES["indecencia", "vergüenza"]·SW["aibu"]·TR["utancını", "utanmazlığı"]·urd["بے-حیائی-کو", "شرمندگی"]
Related Senses
G2309 1. want, desire (166×)G0025 1. to love actively (133×)H0157 1. love (verb, active Qal) (129×)H8055 1. Qal: rejoice, be glad (123×)H7453 1. neighbor, fellow man (120×)G0026 1. of love (115×)H1058 1. Qal: to weep, cry (112×)H0954 1. to be ashamed, feel shame (Qal) (95×)H8057 1. joy, gladness, delight (90×)H2781 1. disgrace, shame, dishonor (68×)G2307 1. will, desire, purpose (63×)G5463 1. rejoice, be glad (63×)G0027 1. beloved (61×)H8130 1. Qal: to hate, detest (60×)G5479 1. (59×)G1680 1. (53×)H8130 2. Qal ptcp: hater, enemy (53×)H0014 1. be willing, want (51×)H0157 2. lover, friend (Qal participle substantive) (51×)H1945 1. woe (50×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
ἀσχημ-οσύνη, ἡ, want of form, ἀ. καὶ ἀμορφίαRefs 4th c.BC+ __2 ungracefulness, Refs 5th c.BC+; awkwardness, Refs; disfigurement, τοῦ προσώπου, in playing on the flute, Refs 4th c.BC+ __3 ἀ. φέρει brings discredit, disgrace, Refs __II in moral sense, indecorum, obscene or disgraceful conduct, NT+1st c.AD+ __III euphemistic for αἰδοῖον, LXX; for ἀπόπατος,LXX