In biblical literature, the term "harlot" is often used to describe a woman who engages in sexual immorality, particularly prostitution. The concept of the harlot is both literal and metaphorical, serving as a symbol of unfaithfulness and idolatry throughout the Scriptures.

Old Testament References

The Old Testament frequently addresses the issue of harlotry, both in the context of Israel's covenant relationship with God and in societal laws. In the Law of Moses, prostitution is condemned, and the Israelites are warned against engaging in such practices. Leviticus 19:29 states, "Do not degrade your daughter by making her a prostitute, or the land will turn to prostitution and be filled with wickedness."

The account of Rahab, a harlot in Jericho, is a notable example of redemption and faith. Despite her profession, Rahab is commended for her faith in hiding the Israelite spies and is included in the genealogy of Jesus Christ (Joshua 2; Matthew 1:5). Her account illustrates God's grace and the possibility of transformation.

The prophets often use the imagery of harlotry to describe Israel's unfaithfulness to God. In Hosea, the prophet is commanded to marry a promiscuous woman as a symbol of Israel's infidelity. Hosea 1:2 says, "Go, take for yourself a wife of prostitution and children of unfaithfulness, because the land is committing blatant acts of prostitution by forsaking the LORD."

New Testament References

In the New Testament, the term "harlot" continues to carry both literal and symbolic meanings. Jesus' ministry included interactions with women of ill repute, demonstrating His message of forgiveness and redemption. In Luke 7:37-38 , a sinful woman, often understood to be a harlot, anoints Jesus' feet with perfume, and He acknowledges her faith and forgives her sins.

The Book of Revelation uses the imagery of a harlot to depict the corrupt and idolatrous systems of the world. Revelation 17:1-2 describes the "great prostitute" who sits on many waters, with whom "the kings of the earth committed sexual immorality, and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her immorality." This imagery serves as a warning against spiritual unfaithfulness and the seduction of worldly power and wealth.

Moral and Spiritual Implications

Throughout the Bible, harlotry is used as a metaphor for spiritual adultery, representing the turning away from God to pursue other gods or worldly desires. The consistent message is one of calling God's people to faithfulness and purity. The Bible's treatment of harlotry underscores the importance of repentance and the transformative power of God's grace.

Cultural and Historical Context

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, prostitution was often linked to pagan religious practices, including temple prostitution. The biblical injunctions against harlotry were not only moral but also aimed at preserving the distinctiveness of Israel as a people set apart for God.

The biblical narrative acknowledges the reality of harlotry while offering a path to redemption and restoration. The accounts of individuals like Rahab and the teachings of Jesus highlight the potential for change and the inclusive nature of God's kingdom, where repentance leads to forgiveness and new life.2181. zanah -- to commit fornication, be a harlot
... zanah. 2182 . to commit fornication, be a harlot. Transliteration: zanah Phonetic
Spelling: (zaw-naw') Short Definition: harlot. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/2181.htm - 6k

802. ishshah -- woman, wife, female
... 2), any woman (1), childbearing* (1), each (3), each one (1), each woman (1), every
(1), everyone (1), female (3), girls* (1), harem* (5), harlot's* (2), harlot ...
/hebrew/802.htm - 6k

868. ethnan -- the wages (of a harlot)
... 867, 868. ethnan. 869 . the wages (of a harlot). Transliteration: ethnan
Phonetic Spelling: (eth-nan') Short Definition: earnings. ...
/hebrew/868.htm - 6k

Forgiveness and Retribution.
... day. "At this moment," said one, "from many a harlot's dishonored grave
there arises a mute appeal for righteous retribution. From ...
/.../moody/sowing and reaping/chapter vii forgiveness and retribution.htm

Thoughts for the Clergy on the Amusement Question.
... Thousands are freely expended to invest the bar room and the gambling hall with
the cozy attractions of the parlor. The harlot's palace opens wide its doors. ...
/.../vincent/amusement a force in christian training/thoughts for the clergy on.htm

Love
... Meretricius est amor plus annulum quam sponsum amare: It is a harlot's love to love
the portion more than the person.' Hypocrites love God because he gives ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/the ten commandments/1 2 love.htm

A Faithful Friend
... "You'll find the friendship of the world a show! Mere outward show! 'Tis like the
harlot's tears,. The statesman's promise, or false patriot's zeal,. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/a faithful friend.htm

A Faithful Friend
... "You'll find the friendship of the world a show! Mere outward show! Tis like the
harlot's tears,. The statesman's promise, or false patriot's zeal,. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/a faithful friend.htm

On the Ten Points of Doctrine.
... The Greeks on the one hand draw men away by their smooth tongue, for honey droppeth
from a harlot's lips [644] : whereas they of the Circumcision deceive those ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture iv on the ten.htm

We Would Here, as if all Nations on the Earth were Present...
... Having been heaped together, it may be, from a harlot's gauds or from a woman's
[4678] ornaments, from camels' bones or from the tooth of the Indian beast ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/14 we would here as.htm

For Suppose that it had Occurred to Us, Moved Either by Suitable ...
... bear the name of Minerva, an impudent parricide, and one defiled by the pollution
of lewd lust, who, decking yourself with rouge and a harlot's arts, roused ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/16 for suppose that it.htm

But Why do I Laugh at the Sickles and Tridents which have Been ...
... man loved desperately? But is this the only Venus to whom there has been
given beauty taken from a harlot's face? Phryne, [4660] the ...
/.../arnobius/the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/13 but why do i.htm

Whether the Adornment of Women is Devoid of Mortal Sin?
... also something special, namely that a woman's apparel may incite men to lust, according
to Prov.7:10, "Behold a woman meeteth him in harlot's attire, prepared ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the adornment of women.htm

Harlot's (10 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Harlot's (10 Occurrences). ... And they went, and came into
an harlot's house, named Rahab, and lodged there. (KJV DBY). ...
/h/harlot's.htm - 9k

Harlots (11 Occurrences)
... Hosea 9:1 Rejoice not, O Israel, unto exultation, like the peoples, for thou hast
gone astray from thy God, thou hast loved a harlot's hire upon every corn ...
/h/harlots.htm - 10k

Lodged (35 Occurrences)
... land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot's house, named
Rahab, and lodged there. (KJV WBS NAS RSV). Joshua 3:1 ...
/l/lodged.htm - 16k

Watchful (17 Occurrences)
... Jehovah your God. (YLT). Proverbs 7:10 And, lo, a woman to meet him -- (A
harlot's dress, and watchful of heart, (YLT). Jeremiah 1:12 ...
/w/watchful.htm - 11k

Forehead (23 Occurrences)
... dressed in scarlet and purple has her name written on her forehead (Revelation
17:5). (2) In a metaphorical sense the expression, "a harlot's forehead," is ...
/f/forehead.htm - 19k

Refusest (2 Occurrences)
... (ASV). Jeremiah 3:3 And the showers have been withholden, and there hath been no
latter rain; but thou hast a harlot's forehead, thou refusest to be ashamed. ...
/r/refusest.htm - 6k

Rains (16 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 3:3 Therefore the showers have been withheld, and there hath been no latter
rain; yet thou hadst a harlot's forehead, thou refusedst to be ashamed. ...
/r/rains.htm - 10k

Exultingly (2 Occurrences)
... Hosea 9:1 Rejoice not, Israel, exultingly, as the peoples; for thou hast gone a
whoring from thy God, thou hast loved harlot's hire upon every corn-floor. ...
/e/exultingly.htm - 6k

Meets (17 Occurrences)
... found; (See RSV). Proverbs 7:10 And, lo, a woman to meet him -- (A harlot's
dress, and watchful of heart, (See RSV). Isaiah 41:2 Who ...
/m/meets.htm - 11k

Corn-floor (1 Occurrence)
... Hosea 9:1 Rejoice not, Israel, exultingly, as the peoples; for thou hast gone a
whoring from thy God, thou hast loved harlot's hire upon every corn-floor. ...
/c/corn-floor.htm - 6k

Why did the Israelite spies visit the house of Rahab the prostitute? | GotQuestions.org

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