Harlot: 1. Heb. zonah
(Genesis 34:31; 38:15) In
(Genesis 38:21,22) the 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)
2. 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)
