Lectionary Calendar
Friday, March 29th, 2024
Good Friday
There are 2 days til Easter!
Attention!
For 10¢ a day you can enjoy StudyLight.org ads
free while helping to build churches and support pastors in Uganda.
Click here to learn more!

Bible Dictionaries
Harlot

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Search for…
or
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z
Prev Entry
Hariph
Next Entry
Harnepher
Resource Toolbox
Additional Links
  • Heb. zonah (Genesis 34:31; 38:15 ). In verses 21,22the Hebrew word used in Kedeshah , I.e., a woman consecrated or devoted to prostitution in connection with the abominable worship of Asherah or Astarte, the Syrian Venus. This word is also used in Deuteronomy 23:17; Hosea 4:14 . Thus Tamar sat by the wayside as a consecrated kedeshah.

    It has been attempted to show that Rahab, usually called a "harlot" (Joshua 2:1; 6:17; Hebrews 11:31; James 2:25 ), was only an innkeeper. This interpretation, however, cannot be maintained.

    Jephthah's mother is called a "strange woman" (Judges 11:2 ). This, however, merely denotes that she was of foreign extraction.

    In the time of Solomon harlots appeared openly in the streets, and he solemnly warns against association with them (Proverbs 7:12; 9:14 . See also Jeremiah 3:2; Ezekiel 16:24,25,31 ). The Revised Version, following the LXX., has "and the harlots washed," etc., instead of the rendering of the Authorized Version, "now they washed," of 1 Kings 22:38 .

    To commit fornication is metaphorically used for to practice idolatry (Jeremiah 3:1; Ezekiel 16:15; Hos. throughout); hence Jerusalem is spoken of as a harlot (Isaiah 1:21 ).

  • Heb. nokriyah, the "strange woman" (1 Kings 11:1; Proverbs 5:20; 7:5; 23:27 ). Those so designated were Canaanites and other Gentiles (Joshua 23:13 ). To the same class belonged the "foolish", i.e., the sinful, "woman."

    In the New Testament the Greek pornai, plural, "harlots," occurs in Matthew 21:31,32 , where they are classed with publicans; Luke 15:30; 1 Corinthians 6:15,16; Hebrews 11:31; James 2:25 . It is used symbolically in Revelation 17:1,5,15,16; 19:2 .

    Bibliography Information
    Easton, Matthew George. Entry for 'Harlot'. Easton's Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/​dictionaries/​eng/​ebd/​h/harlot.html. 1897.
  • adsFree icon
    Ads FreeProfile