The Definition of the word Harlot

Harlot

(1.) Heb. zonah (Gen. 34:31; 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; 6:17; Heb. 11:31; James 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; "9:14. See also Jer. 3:2; Ezek. 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 (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 Kings 11:1; Prov. 5:20; 7:5; 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, 32, where they are classed with publicans; Luke" "15:30; 1 Cor. 6:15, 16; Heb. 11:31; James 2:25. It is used" "symbolically in Rev. 17:1, 5, 15, 16; 19:2."