Harlot
(1.) Heb. zonah (Gen 34:31; Gen 38:15). In verses 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 Deut 23:17; Hos 4:14. Thus Tamar sat by the wayside as a consecrated kedeshah.
It has been attempted to show that Rahab, usually called a “harlot” (Josh 2:1; Josh 6:17; Heb 11:31; Jas 2:25), was only an innkeeper. This interpretation, however, cannot be maintained.
Jephthah’s mother is called a “strange woman” (Judg 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 (Prov 7:12; Prov 9:14. See also Jer 3:2; Ezek 16:24, Ezek 16:25, Ezek 16:31). 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 Kgs 22:38.
To commit fornication is metaphorically used for to practice idolatry (Jer 3:1; Ezek 16:15; Hos. throughout); hence Jerusalem is spoken of as a harlot (Isa 1:21).
(2.) Heb. nokriyah, the “strange woman” (1 Kgs 11:1; Prov 5:20; Prov 7:5; Prov 23:27). Those so designated were Canaanites and other Gentiles (Josh 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 Matt 21:31, Matt 21:32, where they are classed with publicans; Luke 15:30; 1 Cor 6:15, 1 Cor 6:16; Heb 11:31; Jas 2:25. It is used symbolically in Rev 17:1, Rev 17:5, Rev 17:15, Rev 17:16; Rev 19:2.
From Easton’s Bible Dictionary (1897), by Matthew George Easton.
