Definition and Usage:
The term "wanton" in biblical context generally refers to behavior that is undisciplined, unrestrained, or immoral. It often conveys a sense of indulgence in sensual pleasures or a reckless disregard for moral boundaries. The word can describe actions, attitudes, or desires that are excessive and lack self-control.

Biblical References:

1. Proverbs 7:10-11 : "Then a woman came out to meet him, with the attire of a harlot and cunning of heart. She is loud and defiant; her feet do not remain at home." This passage illustrates wanton behavior through the depiction of a woman who is bold and unrestrained, seeking to seduce and lead others into sin.

2. Isaiah 3:16 : "The LORD also says: 'Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, walking with outstretched necks, flirting with their eyes, prancing and skipping as they go, jingling their ankle bracelets.'" Here, the wantonness of the daughters of Zion is highlighted through their prideful and flirtatious demeanor, which reflects a deeper spiritual waywardness.

3. Romans 13:13 : "Let us walk with decency, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy." The apostle Paul admonishes believers to avoid wanton behaviors such as debauchery and sexual immorality, urging them to live in a manner that reflects the light of Christ.

4. 1 Timothy 5:11-13 : "But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when their passions draw them away from Christ, they will want to marry, and thus will incur judgment because they are setting aside their first faith. At the same time, they also learn to be idle, going from house to house; and not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not." This passage warns against the wantonness that can arise from idleness and lack of focus on spiritual commitments.

Theological Implications:
Wanton behavior is often associated with a departure from God's commandments and a pursuit of worldly pleasures. It reflects a heart that is not submitted to the discipline and guidance of the Holy Spirit. In the biblical narrative, wantonness is frequently linked to judgment and the need for repentance. It serves as a cautionary example of the consequences of living according to the flesh rather than the Spirit.

Moral and Ethical Considerations:
From a moral standpoint, wantonness is seen as a vice that undermines personal integrity and community harmony. It is often contrasted with virtues such as self-control, modesty, and humility. The Bible encourages believers to cultivate these virtues as a testimony to their faith and as a means of honoring God in their conduct.

Cultural Context:
In the ancient Near Eastern context, wanton behavior was often associated with pagan practices and idolatry. The biblical authors frequently warned against adopting the customs of surrounding nations, which included various forms of wantonness. This cultural backdrop underscores the call for God's people to be distinct and set apart in their conduct.

Practical Application:
Believers are encouraged to examine their lives for areas of wantonness and to seek God's help in cultivating a disciplined and godly lifestyle. This involves being mindful of influences that may lead to moral compromise and actively pursuing spiritual growth through prayer, study of Scripture, and fellowship with other believers.1. (v. t.) Untrained; undisciplined; unrestrained; as, a wanton display of disrespect; hence, loose; free; luxuriant; roving; sportive.

2. (v. t.) Wandering from moral rectitude; perverse; dissolute.

3. (v. t.) Specifically: Deviating from the rules of chastity; lewd; lustful; lascivious; libidinous; lecherous.

4. (v. t.) Reckless; heedless; as, wanton mischief.

5. (n.) A roving, frolicsome thing; a trifler; -- used rarely as a term of endearment.

6. (n.) One brought up without restraint; a pampered pet.

7. (n.) A lewd person; a lascivious man or woman.

8. (v. i.) To rove and ramble without restraint, rule, or limit; to revel; to play loosely; to frolic.

9. (v. i.) To sport in lewdness; to play the wanton; to play lasciviously.

10. (v. t.) To cause to become wanton; also, to waste in wantonness.

2691. katastreniao -- to become wanton against
... to become wanton against. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: katastreniao Phonetic
Spelling: (kat-as-tray-nee-ah'-o) Short Definition: I grow wanton towards ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2691.htm - 6k

5433. phruasso -- to neigh, whinny, fig. to be wanton
... to be wanton. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: phruasso Phonetic Spelling:
(froo-as'-so) Short Definition: I roar, rage Definition: I am wanton, insolent ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5433.htm - 6k

5196. hubris -- wantonness, insolence, an act of wanton violence
... wantonness, insolence, an act of wanton violence. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: hubris Phonetic Spelling: (hoo'-bris) Short Definition: insult ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5196.htm - 7k

4684. spatalao -- to live riotously
... Transliteration: spatalao Phonetic Spelling: (spat-al-ah'-o) Short Definition: I
live extravagantly Definition: I live extravagantly, luxuriously; I am wanton. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4684.htm - 6k

766. aselgeia -- licentiousness, wantonness
... as-elg'-ia) Short Definition: wantonness, lewdness Definition: (outrageous conduct,
conduct shocking to public decency, a wanton violence), wantonness, lewdness ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/766.htm - 7k

5195. hubrizo -- to run riot, to outrage, insult
... This expresses the work of "one whose insolence and contempt of others breaks
forth in wanton and outrageous acts" (K. Wuest,, 34). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5195.htm - 7k

4763. streniao -- to run riot
... revel, riot. Cognate: 4763 -- living in sensual, lustful behavior, ie in
self-indulgence (wanton luxury). See 4764 (). Word Origin ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4763.htm - 6k

6348. pachaz -- to be wanton or reckless
... 6347, 6348. pachaz. 6349 . to be wanton or reckless. Transliteration: pachaz
Phonetic Spelling: (paw-khaz') Short Definition: reckless. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/6348.htm - 6k

8265. saqar -- to ogle
... root Definition to ogle NASB Word Usage seductive (1). wanton. A primitive root;
to ogle, ie Blink coquettishly -- wanton. 8264, 8265. saqar. 8266 . ...
/hebrew/8265.htm - 5k

2181. zanah -- to commit fornication, be a harlot
... A primitive root (highly-fed and therefore wanton); to commit adultery (usually
of the female, and less often of simple fornication, rarely of involuntary ...
/hebrew/2181.htm - 6k

John who was a Torch, Laid Bare and Rebuked the Wanton Ones: they ...
... John who was a torch, laid bare and rebuked the wanton ones: they made haste and
quenched the torch, that they might let loose the desire of their lust. ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn xxi john who was.htm

Christians, when they Attend Weddings, must not Join in Wanton ...
... The Canons of the Blessed and Holy Fathers Assembled at Antioch in Syria. Canon
LIII. Christians, when they attend weddings, must not join in wanton dances? ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon liii christians when they.htm

1 Timothy v. 15-Nov
... Homily XV. 1 Timothy v. 11-15. 1 Timothy v.11-15 "But the younger widows refuse:
for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry; having ...
/.../homily xv 1 timothy v.htm

On Genesis.
... 49:3 Reuben, my first-born, thou art my strength, and the first of my children;
hard to bear with, and hard and self-willed: thou hast waxed wanton as water ...
/.../hippolytus/the extant works and fragments of hippolytus/on genesis.htm

Whether the Matter of Lust is Only Venereal Desires and Pleasures?
... Therefore these would seem to be the matter of lust. Objection 3: Further, lust
is defined "as the desire of wanton pleasure" [*Alexander of Hales, Summ. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the matter of lust.htm

Whether it is a Mortal Sin for a Man to have Knowledge of his Wife ...
... iv, D, 31), "the pleasure taken in the embraces of a wanton is damnable in a
husband." Now nothing but mortal sin is said to be damnable. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is a mortal.htm

Knox in St. Andrews Castle: the Galleys: 1547-1549
... on the murderers mainly to the revengeful nature of Mary of Guise; the Cardinal
having been "the comfort to all gentlewomen, and especially to wanton widows. ...
/.../lang/john knox and the reformation/chapter iii knox in st.htm

Concerning Salutations and Recreations, &C.
... so that many vicious and profane persons have been known, by coming to this truth,
to become sober and virtuous; and many light, vain, and wanton ones to ...
/.../proposition xv concerning salutations and.htm

The Conflict Between Capital and Labor.
... of sabbath. Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth and been wanton; ye
have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter. Ye ...
/.../pink/the redeemers return/7 the conflict between capital.htm

That all Widows that are Approved are to be Held in Honour.
... But the widow that is wanton, is dead while she liveth." [4533] And again: "But
the younger widows pass by: for when they shall be wanton in Christ, they wish ...
/.../cyprian/three books of testimonies against the jews/74 that all widows that.htm

Wanton (20 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) Untrained; undisciplined; unrestrained; as, a
wanton display of disrespect; hence, loose; free; luxuriant; roving; sportive. ...
/w/wanton.htm - 13k

Wantonly (8 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (adv.) In a wanton manner; without regularity or restraint;
loosely; sportively; gayly; playfully; recklessly; lasciviously. ...
/w/wantonly.htm - 9k

Outrage (3 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Injurious violence or wanton wrong done to persons or things; a gross violation
of right or decency; excessive abuse; wanton mischief; gross injury. ...
/o/outrage.htm - 8k

Waxed (57 Occurrences)
... (ASV). 1 Timothy 5:11 But younger widows refuse: for when they have waxed
wanton against Christ, they desire to marry; (ASV). Hebrews ...
/w/waxed.htm - 23k

Flourish (26 Occurrences)
... 4. (vi) To make bold and sweeping, fanciful, or wanton movements, by way of ornament,
parade, bravado, etc.; to play with fantastic and irregular motion. ...
/f/flourish.htm - 18k

Riot (14 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Wanton or unrestrained behavior; uproar; tumult.
2. (n.) Excessive and expensive feasting; wild and loose festivity; revelry. ...
/r/riot.htm - 12k

Play (61 Occurrences)
... 7. (n.) To move gayly; to wanton; to disport. ... 12. (vt) To bring into sportive or
wanton action; to exhibit in action; to execute; as, to play tricks. 13. ...
/p/play.htm - 28k

Wanting (27 Occurrences)

/w/wanting.htm - 14k

Younger (39 Occurrences)
... 1 Timothy 5:11 But refuse younger widows, for when they have grown wanton against
Christ, they desire to marry; (WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/y/younger.htm - 18k

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