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b-hebrew - Re: [b-hebrew] RE: [b-hebrew YHWH's attitude towards zonah

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  • From: Peter Kirk <peterkirk AT qaya.org>
  • To: Stoney Breyer <stoneyb AT touchwood.net>
  • Cc: 'b-hebrew' <b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [b-hebrew] RE: [b-hebrew YHWH's attitude towards zonah
  • Date: Fri, 16 Jul 2004 13:48:51 +0100

On 16/07/2004 13:18, Stoney Breyer wrote:

Patrina - Thanks for your very relevant observations.

Yes, the juxtaposition of these two verses does seem not only to
distinguish but to associate the hierodule and the whore.

But why are they associated? The immediately preceding verses enjoin
protection of runaway slaves, the immediately following verses condemn
usury and, without prejudice to YHWH's contractual dues, urge people to
think twice before making expensive commitments to Him. The context is
not only sexual but economic exploitation. So while, as you suggest, the
sense of thse two verses may be "Do not prostitute your children either
by giving them to the temple brothel or by encouraging them to
free-lance" it could, equally, be "Do not pledge your children to temple
service, and *especially* don't pledge them to service as prostitutes."

Surely the point is: (v.17, English) No temple prostitution among Israelites; (v.18) don't even bring the earnings of prostitutes into the temple because that makes them effectively temple prostitutes; because YHWH detests temple prostitution.


--
Peter Kirk
peter AT qaya.org (personal)
peterkirk AT qaya.org (work)
http://www.qaya.org/





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