Strong's Lexicon qedeshah: Temple prostitute, cult prostitute Original Word: קְדֵשָׁה Word Origin: Derived from the root קָדַשׁ (qadash), meaning "to be set apart" or "to be holy." Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: There is no direct Greek equivalent in the New Testament for "qedeshah," as the practice was not part of early Christian communities. However, the Greek term "πόρνη" (pornē, Strong's G4204) is used to refer to a prostitute or harlot in a general sense. Usage: The term "qedeshah" refers to a woman who engaged in ritualistic sexual activities as part of pagan worship practices. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, these women were often associated with the worship of fertility deities, where sexual acts were believed to ensure agricultural and communal prosperity. The term is used in the Bible to denote a woman who is set apart for such practices, contrasting with the holiness expected of the people of Israel. Cultural and Historical Background: In the ancient Near East, temple prostitution was a common practice among various pagan religions. These practices were often linked to fertility rites, where sexual union was thought to invoke the favor of the gods for bountiful harvests and fertility. The qedeshah was considered a sacred role within these religious systems, though it was strictly prohibited in Israelite worship as it contradicted the holiness and moral standards set by Yahweh. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfem. of qadesh, q.v. Strong's Exhaustive Concordance harlot, whore Feminine of qadesh; a female devotee (i.e. Prostitute) -- harlot, whore. see HEBREW qadesh Forms and Transliterations הַקְּדֵשָׁ֛ה הַקְּדֵשׁ֖וֹת הקדשה הקדשות קְדֵשָֽׁה׃ קְדֵשָׁ֖ה קדשה קדשה׃ hakkedeShah hakkedeShot haq·qə·ḏê·šāh haq·qə·ḏê·šō·wṯ haqqəḏêšāh haqqəḏêšōwṯ kedeShah qə·ḏê·šāh qəḏêšāhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 38:21 HEB: לֵאמֹ֔ר אַיֵּ֧ה הַקְּדֵשָׁ֛ה הִ֥וא בָעֵינַ֖יִם KJV: saying, Where [is] the harlot, that [was] openly INT: saying Where Where the harlot who Enaim Genesis 38:21 Genesis 38:22 Deuteronomy 23:17 Hosea 4:14 5 Occurrences |
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