Dictionary of Bible Themes: 6239 prostitution

6239 prostitution

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 6000 Sin and salvation » 6100 Aspects of sin » 6236 sexual sin » 6239 prostitution

Scripture condemns the offering of sex for money or favours. However, it also stresses the prospect of new life in Christ for prostitutes, and points to some prostitutes as examples of faith.

Prostitution among the heathen

For money

Genesis 38:15-16; Joshua 2:1; Joel 3:3

Religious prostitution

Genesis 38:21-22; Job 36:14

Prostitution in Israel

It was forbidden under God's law

Leviticus 19:29; Deuteronomy 23:17-18

Priests were forbidden to marry prostitutes

See also Leviticus 21:7,14

The penalties for prostitution

Genesis 38:24; Leviticus 21:9

Efforts to remove the shrine-prostitutes

1 Kings 15:11-12; Kings 22:45-46

The lure of prostitution

Proverbs 7:10 See also 1 Corinthians 6:9

The prevalaence of prostitution

1 Kings 14:24 See also 1 Kings 3:16; Jeremiah 5:7; Hosea 4:13-14; Hosea 6:10; Micah 1:7

Warnings against prostitution

It has dire consequences

Proverbs 6:25-27 See also Judges 16:1-2; Proverbs 23:26-27; Proverbs 29:3; Luke 15:30

Christians must avoid it

1 Corinthians 6:15-16

Prostitutes can be redeemed

Matthew 21:31-32 See also Luke 7:37-50; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Hebrews 11:31; James 2:25; Joshua 6:22-25

Prostitution as a metaphor

For worldly corruption

Revelation 17:1-5 See also Isaiah 23:15-17; Nahum 3:4

For apostasy

Deuteronomy 31:16 See also Exodus 34:15-16; Leviticus 20:5; Judges 2:17; Judges 8:27,33; 1 Chronicles 5:25; Psalm 106:39; Isaiah 1:21; Ezekiel 16:16-17,26,28,33-34,41; Ezekiel 23:1-35; Hosea 4:10-12; Hosea 5:4