What is the meaning of Malakoi in the Bible?

Malakoi is a Greek word that appears in the Bible and has been the subject of much debate and interpretation among biblical scholars. The word is generally translated as "soft" or "effeminate" and appears in two passages in the New Testament.

The first instance is in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, where the apostle Paul lists several sins that will prevent people from inheriting the kingdom of God. Among these sins is the term malakoi, which is often translated as "effeminate" or "soft." Some translations of the Bible use the phrase "male prostitutes" to describe malakoi, but this interpretation is disputed.

The second instance of malakoi appears in Matthew 11:8, where Jesus is speaking about John the Baptist and asks, "What did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses." Here, the word malakoi is often translated as "soft clothing," but its meaning is still somewhat unclear.

The meaning of malakoi has been the subject of much debate among scholars, with some arguing that it refers specifically to men who engage in homosexual activity, while others see it as a broader condemnation of any behavior deemed to be "soft" or "effeminate." Some scholars have also suggested that malakoi may refer to men who are passive or submissive in sexual relationships, regardless of their sexual orientation.

Regardless of its exact meaning, the term malakoi is generally seen as a condemnation of behavior that goes against traditional gender roles and expectations. The word is often used in conjunction with the term arsenokoitai, which is generally translated as "homosexuals" or "sodomites," and together, the two words have been used to condemn same-sex relationships.