Lexical Expressions of Femininity in Qur’anic Discourse: A Semantic Approach between Lexicon and Context within the Horizon of Cultural Reading

Abstract

This study examines lexical expressions related to femininity in Qur’anic discourse through a semantic approach that explores the interaction between lexical meaning and contextual usage. It is based on the premise that lexical items do not retain fixed dictionary meanings within the Qur’anic text; rather, their meanings are dynamically shaped by context, generating broader semantic dimensions beyond their original linguistic definitions.

The study adopts an analytical semantic method, focusing on both explicit terms denoting femininity—such as female, woman, women, and mother—and implicitly associated expressions, including veil, head covering, adornment, outer garment, display, and the foolish. These lexical items are examined within their Qur’anic contexts and compared with classical Arabic lexicons and exegetical interpretations.

The findings reveal that meaning in Qur’anic discourse is primarily governed by context rather than by lexical origin alone. Many expressions commonly associated with femininity do not inherently carry such meanings but acquire them through interpretive and cultural processes. Furthermore, the study demonstrates that Qur’anic discourse emphasizes action and function over gender classification, highlighting the flexibility of its semantic structure and its capacity to reshape meaning within an integrated textual system.