In the context of the Bible, the term "prostituted" often refers to the act of engaging in sexual immorality for monetary or material gain. It is frequently used metaphorically to describe spiritual unfaithfulness, where individuals or nations turn away from God to pursue idolatry or other false practices. The Bible consistently condemns both physical and spiritual prostitution, emphasizing the importance of faithfulness to God.

Old Testament References

The concept of prostitution is addressed in various books of the Old Testament, often highlighting the moral and spiritual decline associated with it. In Leviticus 19:29 , the Israelites are commanded, "Do not degrade your daughter by making her a prostitute, or the land will turn to prostitution and be filled with wickedness." This verse underscores the societal impact of such actions, linking physical prostitution with broader moral corruption.

The prophets frequently use the imagery of prostitution to describe Israel's unfaithfulness to God. In Hosea 4:12 , it is written, "My people consult their wooden idols, and their divining rods inform them. For a spirit of prostitution leads them astray; they are unfaithful to their God." Here, the "spirit of prostitution" symbolizes the nation's idolatry and abandonment of their covenant with God.

Ezekiel 16 provides an extended allegory of Jerusalem as an unfaithful wife who prostituted herself with foreign nations and their gods. Ezekiel 16:15 states, "But you trusted in your beauty and played the harlot because of your fame. You lavished your favors on everyone who passed by, and your beauty was theirs." This passage illustrates the spiritual adultery of Israel, emphasizing the betrayal of their relationship with God.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, the theme of prostitution continues to be used metaphorically to describe spiritual unfaithfulness. Revelation 17 introduces the figure of the "great prostitute" who symbolizes the corrupt and idolatrous systems of the world. Revelation 17:1-2 says, "Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits on many waters. The kings of the earth were immoral with her, and those who dwell on the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her immorality."

The New Testament also addresses the physical act of prostitution, urging believers to maintain purity. In 1 Corinthians 6:15-16 , Paul writes, "Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! Or do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, 'The two will become one flesh.'" This passage highlights the sanctity of the believer's body and the importance of sexual purity.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, prostitution in the Bible serves as a powerful metaphor for idolatry and unfaithfulness to God. It illustrates the gravity of turning away from divine commandments and the covenant relationship established with God. The consistent biblical condemnation of prostitution, both physical and spiritual, underscores the call for holiness and fidelity among God's people.

The Bible's treatment of prostitution also reflects broader themes of redemption and forgiveness. Despite the severity of the sin, the Scriptures offer hope for repentance and restoration. In the account of Hosea and Gomer, for example, God's unwavering love for Israel is mirrored in Hosea's commitment to his unfaithful wife, symbolizing the possibility of reconciliation and renewal through divine grace.(imp. & p. p.) of Prostitute.

Change not Always Improvement.
... Such licence was granted to the secret haunts of Lydia, [46] that Hercules was
prostituted in the person of Omphale, and Omphale in that of Hercules. ...
/.../tertullian/on the pallium/chapter iv change not always improvement.htm

Weakness of the Pleas Urged in Defence of Second Marriage.
... What if a man allege "indigence," so as to profess that his flesh is openly prostituted,
and given in marriage for the sake of maintenance; forgetting that ...
/.../tertullian/on monogamy/chapter xvi weakness of the pleas.htm

Imagination in Prayer
... happiness that is in the heart of man." The imagination, then, must not be made
to bear the blame that really belongs to those men who have prostituted it, and ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/whyte/lord teach us to pray/xx imagination in prayer.htm

The Irrevocable Past
... Pilate knew that he had prostituted his office in condemning Jesus, and he
revenged himself for weak compliance by ill-timed mulishness. ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture st john chaps xv to xxi/the irrevocable past.htm

The Excellence of the Abiding Glory of virginity; the Soul
... prophet Jeremiah shows, reproaching Jerusalem, "Thou hadst a whore's forehead, thou
refusedst to be ashamed;" [2662] speaking of her who prostituted herself to ...
/.../chapter i the excellence of the.htm

The Follies of the Wise
... There is eulogium here, a recognition of splendid qualities, prostituted to low
purposes; a recognition of wisdom in the adaptation of means to an end; and a ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/the follies of the wise.htm

Jesus and Pilate
... His blood. Then came the shameful surrender by Pilate, in which, from motives
of policy, he prostituted Roman justice. Knowingly ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/jesus and pilate.htm

Simon the Sorcerer
... Sadly enough, they were mostly Jews, who prostituted their clearer knowledge to
personal ends, and having tacked on to it some theosophic rubbish which they ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/simon the sorcerer.htm

On the Second Command in the Decalogue
... images to be made, it appears that the mere formation of every kind of image whatsoever
is not forbidden, provided that they be not prostituted to worship; so ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/disputation lxxv on the second.htm

"If we Confess Our Sins, He is Faithful and Just to Forgive us Our ...
... And so it is imported here, that though the blood of Christ be fully sufficient
to cleanse all sin, yet it is not so prostituted and basely spent upon sinners ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xvii if we confess.htm

Prostituted (6 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Prostituted (6 Occurrences). ... Psalms 106:39 Thus were they
defiled with their works, and prostituted themselves in their deeds. ...
/p/prostituted.htm - 8k

Prostitutes (19 Occurrences)

/p/prostitutes.htm - 12k

Lewd (37 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 16:25 Thou hast built thy high place at every head of the way, and hast
made thy beauty to be abhorred, and hast prostituted thyself to every one that ...
/l/lewd.htm - 20k

Prostitute (83 Occurrences)

/p/prostitute.htm - 33k

Practices (80 Occurrences)
... works. (See NAS). Psalms 106:39 Thus were they defiled with their works,
and prostituted themselves in their deeds. (See NAS). Isaiah ...
/p/practices.htm - 29k

Defiled (119 Occurrences)
... (WEB RSV NIV). Psalms 106:39 Thus were they defiled with their works, and prostituted
themselves in their deeds. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NIV). ...
/d/defiled.htm - 38k

Harlot (87 Occurrences)
... she is today in India. Men and women thus prostituted themselves in the service
of their gods. The Canaanite sanctuaries were gigantic ...
/h/harlot.htm - 46k

Summary of the Book of Judges - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.org

Prostituted: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus