Deuteronomy 23:17
Deuteronomy 23:17 in Multiple Translations
No daughter or son of Israel is to be a shrine prostitute.
¶ There shall be no whore of the daughters of Israel, nor a sodomite of the sons of Israel.
There shall be no prostitute of the daughters of Israel, neither shall there be a sodomite of the sons of Israel.
No daughter of Israel is to let herself be used as a loose woman for a strange god, and no son of Israel is to give himself to a man.
No Israelite women or men are to be cult prostitutes.
There shalbe no whore of the daughters of Israel, neither shall there be a whore keeper of the sonnes of Israel.
'There is not a whore among the daughters of Israel, nor is there a whoremonger among the sons of Israel;
There shall be no prostitute of the daughters of Israel, neither shall there be a sodomite of the sons of Israel.
There shall be no harlot of the daughters of Israel, nor a sodomite of the sons of Israel.
There shall be no whore among the daughters of Israel, nor whoremonger among the sons of Israel.
“Do not allow any Israeli man or woman to become a prostitute at the temple.
Berean Amplified Bible — Deuteronomy 23:17
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Deuteronomy 23:17 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
עִמְּ/ךָ֞
יֵשֵׁ֣ב
בְּ/קִרְבְּ/ךָ֗
בַּ/מָּק֧וֹם
אֲשֶׁר
יִבְחַ֛ר
בְּ/אַחַ֥ד
שְׁעָרֶ֖י/ךָ
בַּ/טּ֣וֹב
ל֑/וֹ
לֹ֖א
תּוֹנֶֽ/נּוּ
עִמְּ/ךָ֞
ʻim
H5973
with
Prep | Suff
יֵשֵׁ֣ב
yâshab
H3427
to dwell
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
בְּ/קִרְבְּ/ךָ֗
qereb
H7130
entrails
Prep | N-ms | Suff
בַּ/מָּק֧וֹם
mâqôwm
H4725
place
Prep | N-ms
אֲשֶׁר
ʼăsher
H834
which
Rel
יִבְחַ֛ר
bâchar
H977
to choose
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
בְּ/אַחַ֥ד
ʼechâd
H259
one
Prep | Adj
שְׁעָרֶ֖י/ךָ
shaʻar
H8179
gate
N-mp | Suff
בַּ/טּ֣וֹב
ṭôwb
H2896
pleasant
Prep | Adj
ל֑/וֹ
Prep | Suff
לֹ֖א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
תּוֹנֶֽ/נּוּ
yânâh
H3238
to oppress
V-Hiphil-Imperf-2ms | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Deuteronomy 23:17
עִמְּ/ךָ֞
ʻim
H5973
"with"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means with or together, like when God is with his people in Exodus 33:14-15. It's used to describe accompaniment or association, and can also mean against or beside. The word is used to convey a sense of relationship or proximity between people or things.
Definition: 1) with 1a) with 1b) against 1c) toward 1d) as long as
Usage: Occurs in 919 OT verses. KJV: accompanying, against, and, as ([idiom] long as), before, beside, by (reason of), for all, from (among, between), in, like, more than, of, (un-) to, with(-al). See also: Genesis 3:6; Exodus 21:14; Deuteronomy 29:11.
יֵשֵׁ֣ב
yâshab
H3427
"to dwell"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
This verb means to sit or dwell, and can also mean to remain or abide. It's used in the Bible to describe people living in a place or staying with someone, like in the book of Genesis.
Definition: 1) to dwell, remain, sit, abide 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to sit, sit down 1a2) to be set 1a3) to remain, stay 1a4) to dwell, have one's abode 1b) (Niphal) to be inhabited 1c) (Piel) to set, place 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to sit 1d2) to cause to abide, set 1d3) to cause to dwell 1d4) to cause (cities) to be inhabited 1d5) to marry (give an dwelling to) 1e) (Hophal) 1e1) to be inhabited 1e2) to make to dwell Aramaic equivalent: ye.tiv (יְתִב "to dwell" H3488)
Usage: Occurs in 977 OT verses. KJV: (make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, [idiom] fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, [idiom] marry(-ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(-tle), (down-) sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate), take, tarry. See also: Genesis 4:16; Leviticus 25:18; Joshua 13:6.
בְּ/קִרְבְּ/ךָ֗
qereb
H7130
"entrails"
Prep | N-ms | Suff
This Hebrew word means the inner part or midst of something, whether physical or emotional, and can refer to the entrails of an animal or the seat of thought and emotion. In 1 Kings 17:21, it describes Elijah's emotional plea to God.
Definition: : among/within 1) midst, among, inner part, middle 1a) inward part 1a1) physical sense 1a2) as seat of thought and emotion 1a3) as faculty of thought and emotion 1b) in the midst, among, from among (of a number of persons) 1c) entrails (of sacrificial animals) Also means: qe.rev (קֶ֫רֶב ": inner_parts" H7130H)
Usage: Occurs in 220 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] among, [idiom] before, bowels, [idiom] unto charge, [phrase] eat (up), [idiom] heart, [idiom] him, [idiom] in, inward ([idiom] -ly, part, -s, thought), midst, [phrase] out of, purtenance, [idiom] therein, [idiom] through, [idiom] within self. See also: Genesis 18:12; Joshua 7:12; Psalms 5:10.
בַּ/מָּק֧וֹם
mâqôwm
H4725
"place"
Prep | N-ms
Maqom means a place or location, like a city or a region. It can also refer to a condition of the body or mind. This term is used to describe a wide range of locations and situations.
Definition: 1) standing place, place 1a) standing place, station, post, office 1b) place, place of human abode 1c) city, land, region 1d) place, locality, spot 1e) space, room, distance 1f) region, quarter, direction 1g) give place to, instead of
Usage: Occurs in 379 OT verses. KJV: country, [idiom] home, [idiom] open, place, room, space, [idiom] whither(-soever). See also: Genesis 1:9; Deuteronomy 12:3; 1 Kings 20:24.
אֲשֶׁר
ʼăsher
H834
"which"
Rel
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when
Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.
יִבְחַ֛ר
bâchar
H977
"to choose"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
To choose or select is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which appears in Deuteronomy. It can also mean to be chosen or elected. The KJV translates it as 'choose' or 'acceptable'.
Definition: 1) to choose, elect, decide for 1a) (Qal) to choose 1b) (Niphal) to be chosen 1c) (Pual) to be chosen, selected
Usage: Occurs in 162 OT verses. KJV: acceptable, appoint, choose (choice), excellent, join, be rather, require. See also: Genesis 6:2; 2 Kings 23:27; Psalms 25:12.
בְּ/אַחַ֥ד
ʼechâd
H259
"one"
Prep | Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means one or united, and is used to describe something that is single or unique. It is often translated as one, first, or alone. For example, in Genesis 1:5, God calls the light day and the darkness night, and separates them into one thing from another.
Definition: 1) one (number) 1a) one (number) 1b) each, every 1c) a certain 1d) an (indefinite article) 1e) only, once, once for all 1f) one...another, the one...the other, one after another, one by one 1g) first 1h) eleven (in combination), eleventh (ordinal)
Usage: Occurs in 739 OT verses. KJV: a, alike, alone, altogether, and, any(-thing), apiece, a certain, (dai-) ly, each (one), [phrase] eleven, every, few, first, [phrase] highway, a man, once, one, only, other, some, together, See also: Genesis 1:5; Exodus 36:26; Numbers 7:70.
שְׁעָרֶ֖י/ךָ
shaʻar
H8179
"gate"
N-mp | Suff
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means a gate or door, often referring to city entrances or temple doors, like in Genesis and Exodus. It can also symbolize a meeting place or marketplace. The word is used to describe important locations in the Bible.
Definition: : gate 1) gate 1a) gate (of entrance) 1b) gate (of space inside gate, i.e. marketplace, public meeting place) 1b1) city, town 1c) gate (of palace, royal castle, temple, court of tabernacle) 1d) heaven
Usage: Occurs in 302 OT verses. KJV: city, door, gate, port ([idiom] -er). See also: Genesis 19:1; 1 Chronicles 9:18; Psalms 9:14.
בַּ/טּ֣וֹב
ṭôwb
H2896
"pleasant"
Prep | Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means good or welfare, describing something that is beneficial or pleasing, like a good deed or a happy time. It is used in many contexts, including Genesis and Psalms. This word is often translated as 'good' or 'beautiful'.
Definition: adj 1) good, pleasant, agreeable 1a) pleasant, agreeable (to the senses) 1b) pleasant (to the higher nature) 1c) good, excellent (of its kind) 1d) good, rich, valuable in estimation 1e) good, appropriate, becoming 1f) better (comparative) 1g) glad, happy, prosperous (of man's sensuous nature) 1h) good understanding (of man's intellectual nature) 1i) good, kind, benign 1j) good, right (ethical) Aramaic equivalent: tav (טָב "fine" H2869)
Usage: Occurs in 521 OT verses. KJV: beautiful, best, better, bountiful, cheerful, at ease, [idiom] fair (word), (be in) favour, fine, glad, good (deed, -lier, -liest, -ly, -ness, -s), graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness, liketh (best), loving, merry, [idiom] most, pleasant, [phrase] pleaseth, pleasure, precious, prosperity, ready, sweet, wealth, welfare, (be) well(-favoured). See also: Genesis 1:4; Ruth 2:22; 2 Chronicles 3:8.
ל֑/וֹ
""
Prep | Suff
לֹ֖א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
תּוֹנֶֽ/נּוּ
yânâh
H3238
"to oppress"
V-Hiphil-Imperf-2ms | Suff
To oppress or treat someone violently, often implying a sense of injustice or wrongdoing, as found in the KJV.
Definition: 1) to oppress, suppress, treat violently, maltreat, vex, do wrong 1a) (Qal) to oppress, suppress 1b) (Hiphil) to treat violently, maltreat
Usage: Occurs in 19 OT verses. KJV: destroy, (thrust out by) oppress(-ing, -ion, -or), proud, vex, do violence. See also: Exodus 22:20; Jeremiah 46:16; Psalms 74:8.
Study Notes — Deuteronomy 23:17
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Deuteronomy 23:17 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 23:17
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 23:17
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Deuteronomy 23:17
- Trapp's Commentary on Deuteronomy 23:17
- Ellicott's Commentary on Deuteronomy 23:17
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Deuteronomy 23:17
- Barnes' Notes on Deuteronomy 23:17
- Whedon's Commentary on Deuteronomy 23:17
- Sermons on Deuteronomy 23:17
Context — Miscellaneous Laws
15Do not return a slave to his master if he has taken refuge with you.
16Let him live among you wherever he chooses, in the town of his pleasing. Do not oppress him.
17No daughter or son of Israel is to be a shrine prostitute.
18You must not bring the wages of a prostitute, whether female or male, into the house of the LORD your God to fulfill any vow, because both are detestable to the LORD your God. 19Do not charge your brother interest on money, food, or any other type of loan.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 Kings 23:7 | He also tore down the quarters of the male shrine prostitutes that were in the house of the LORD, where the women had woven tapestries for Asherah. |
| 2 | 1 Kings 14:24 | There were even male shrine prostitutes in the land. They imitated all the abominations of the nations the LORD had driven out before the Israelites. |
| 3 | Leviticus 19:29 | You must not defile your daughter by making her a prostitute, or the land will be prostituted and filled with depravity. |
| 4 | Deuteronomy 22:21 | she shall be brought to the door of her father’s house, and there the men of her city will stone her to death. For she has committed an outrage in Israel by being promiscuous in her father’s house. So you must purge the evil from among you. |
| 5 | 1 Kings 15:12 | He banished the male shrine prostitutes from the land and removed all the idols that his fathers had made. |
| 6 | 1 Kings 22:46 | He banished from the land the male shrine prostitutes who remained from the days of his father Asa. |
| 7 | 1 Timothy 1:10 | for the sexually immoral, for homosexuals, for slave traders and liars and perjurers, and for anyone else who is averse to sound teaching |
| 8 | Romans 1:26–28 | For this reason God gave them over to dishonorable passions. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. Likewise, the men abandoned natural relations with women and burned with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error. Furthermore, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, He gave them up to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. |
| 9 | 1 Corinthians 6:9 | Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts, |
| 10 | Proverbs 2:16 | It will rescue you from the forbidden woman, from the stranger with seductive words |
Deuteronomy 23:17 Summary
[This verse is saying that God's people should not be involved in any kind of prostitution or immoral activities, as these are against His will and can lead to spiritual corruption. According to 1 Thessalonians 4:7, God calls us to live a life of holiness, and in 1 Corinthians 6:18-20, we are reminded that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. We should strive to live lives that are pure and pleasing to Him, and avoid anything that could lead us away from His love and truth.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a shrine prostitute?
A shrine prostitute refers to someone who engages in ritual prostitution, often in connection with pagan worship, as seen in Deuteronomy 23:17. This practice is strongly condemned by God, as it is considered a form of idolatry and immorality, similar to what is described in Leviticus 19:29 and 1 Kings 14:24.
Why does God specifically mention daughters and sons of Israel in this verse?
God mentions daughters and sons of Israel to emphasize that His people are set apart and should not engage in such sinful practices, as they are called to be holy, according to Leviticus 20:26 and 1 Peter 1:16.
How does this verse relate to the surrounding context?
This verse is part of a larger section that deals with social justice, compassion, and purity, as seen in Deuteronomy 23:15-19, emphasizing the importance of treating others with kindness and respecting God's standards for morality, similar to what is taught in Exodus 22:21-24 and Jeremiah 22:3.
What is the significance of this verse in the broader biblical context?
This verse highlights God's desire for His people to be distinct from the surrounding cultures and to avoid practices that lead to spiritual corruption, as warned in Numbers 25:1-3 and Hosea 4:12-14, and instead to follow His commands and live a life of holiness, as encouraged in Psalms 119:9 and 1 Thessalonians 4:7.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I may be unknowingly participating in or supporting practices that are contrary to God's will, and how can I repent and turn away from them?
- How can I, as a child of God, maintain my purity and distinctness in a world that often promotes immorality and idolatry?
- In what ways can I show compassion and kindness to those who may be trapped in sinful lifestyles, while also upholding God's standards for morality?
- What are some practical steps I can take to ensure that my life is pleasing to God and that I am not engaging in any practices that are detestable to Him?
Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 23:17
There shall be no whore of the daughters of Israel,.... The word for "whore" is "kedeshah", which properly signifies an "holy" one; and here, by an antiphrasis, an unholy, an impure person, one that
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 23:17
There shall be no whore of the daughters of Israel, nor a sodomite of the sons of Israel.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Deuteronomy 23:17
No common prostitute, such, as were tolerated and encouraged by the Gentiles, and used even in their religious worship. Of the daughters of Israel; not that such practices were allowed to the strangers among them, as is evident from many scriptures and reasons, but that it was in a peculiar manner, and upon special reasons, forbidden to them, as being much more odious in them than in strangers; though the words may be rendered among the daughters, and so in the following clause, among the sons, for the Hebrew mem is sometimes used in that sense, as , and so it notes that none of that sort should be permitted among them, whether Jews or strangers. A sodomite; who defileth or suffereth himself to be defiled with mankind. See 22:46 .
Trapp's Commentary on Deuteronomy 23:17
Deuteronomy 23:17 There shall be no whore of the daughters of Israel, nor a sodomite of the sons of Israel.Ver. 17. There shall be no whore.] And what a stinking shame is that, that stews and brothel houses are licensed by the Pope, who reaps no small profit by them? The Papists themselves write with detestation, that at Rome a Jewish maid might not be admitted into the stews of whoredom, unless she would be first baptized; Ut Iudae filiae scortari non liceat, Dei filiae liceat: Imo Israelis filia meretricari non aliter arte possit quam facta per baptismum sanctum Christi sorer et filia. Nor a Sodomite of the sons of Israel.] Pythagoras’ s precept, πωνκυαμωναπεχεσθαι, was intended against this kind of horrid and unnatural uncleanness, κυαμοι, signifying somewhat else besides beans. But what a beast was Pope Sixtus Quintus, qui lupanar utriusque Veneris Romoe condidit, as Agrippa reporteth? Espincaeus, De Contin., lib. iii. cap. 4.
Ellicott's Commentary on Deuteronomy 23:17
(17) Whore and sodomite seem both intended to be taken in the sense in which they belonged to the temples of Baal and Ashtaroth, of persons dedicated to impurity.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Deuteronomy 23:17
Verse 17. There shall be no whore] See on Genesis 38:15-21.
Barnes' Notes on Deuteronomy 23:17
Compare the marginal reference. Prostitution was a common part of religious observances among idolatrous nations, especially in the worship of Ashtoreth or Astarte. Compare Micah 1:7; Baruch 6:43.
Whedon's Commentary on Deuteronomy 23:17
17. Whore… sodomite — The prostitution of woman was a part of the religious services of the heathen, as in the worship of Astarte. Among them men also frequently gave themselves up to unnatural lust.
Sermons on Deuteronomy 23:17
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
By His Stripes We Are Healed by Philip Powell | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the Hebrew words "Peshah" and "Abon," which are translated as transgression and iniquity. These words convey the ideas of rebellion, perversi |
|
Sound in the Faith by H.J. Vine | H.J. Vine preaches about the importance of holding fast to sound doctrine, words, speech, mind, and faith, emphasizing the need to reject unwholesome teachings and cling to the tru |
|
A Biblical Pastor Part 1 (Tharptown Baptist Church) by Paul Washer | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the presence of deception in the media and attributes it to a supernatural malignant power. He emphasizes the need for believers to be taught |
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Pilgrims Problems No. 1 Homosexuality by Willie Mullan | In this sermon, the preacher begins by discussing the curse placed on humanity and how it led to slavery. He then mentions the betrayal of Judas Iscariot and how he ended up in hel |
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Homosexuality and Scripture by Peet Botha | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the topic of homosexuality and scripture. He begins by discussing the wrath of God being revealed against the godlessness and wickedness of |
|
A Story Within a Story by Dennis Kinlaw | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the brutal and violent realities of the world we live in, including the rape and murder of innocent people. He shares a story of a girl who wa |
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(The Church Needs to Know) 6. Relationships Before Marriage by Miki Hardy | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of understanding the spirit of the gospel. He warns against indulging in worldly music and attending gospel concerts that pro |