Biblical Hebrew Forum

[Peter Kirk <peterkirk AT qaya.org>]

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/