The term "whorish" is used in the Bible to describe behavior that is unfaithful, idolatrous, or morally corrupt, often in the context of spiritual adultery. It is derived from the word "whore," which traditionally refers to a woman who engages in sexual immorality, particularly prostitution. In a broader biblical context, "whorish" behavior is symbolic of Israel's unfaithfulness to God through idolatry and alliances with pagan nations.

Biblical Usage and Symbolism

1. Spiritual Adultery: The prophets frequently use the imagery of whoredom to describe Israel's unfaithfulness to God. This metaphor highlights the covenant relationship between God and Israel, likened to a marriage. When Israel turns to other gods, it is seen as committing spiritual adultery. For example, in the book of Hosea, God commands the prophet to marry a promiscuous woman to symbolize Israel's unfaithfulness: "For like an adulterous wife, this land is guilty of unfaithfulness to the LORD" (Hosea 1:2).

2. Idolatry: The term is often associated with idolatry, where the worship of false gods is equated with infidelity. In Ezekiel, God condemns Jerusalem for its idolatrous practices, describing them as whorish: "You built yourself a mound and made yourself a lofty shrine in every public square. You were like a prostitute in your eagerness to spread your legs to everyone who passed by" (Ezekiel 16:24-25).

3. Moral Corruption: Beyond idolatry, "whorish" behavior can also refer to general moral corruption and the pursuit of sinful desires. Proverbs warns against the allure of the adulterous woman, symbolizing the dangers of succumbing to temptation: "For the lips of an adulteress drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil. But in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a double-edged sword" (Proverbs 5:3-4).

4. Judgment and Consequences: The Bible often links whorish behavior with divine judgment. God warns that such actions will lead to destruction and exile. In Jeremiah, God laments over Judah's unfaithfulness: "How can I pardon you? Your children have forsaken Me and sworn by gods that are not gods. I satisfied their needs, yet they committed adultery and thronged to the houses of prostitutes" (Jeremiah 5:7).

5. Call to Repentance: Despite the harsh language and imagery, the Bible also extends a call to repentance and restoration. God desires for His people to return to Him and forsake their whorish ways. In Hosea, God promises healing and love if Israel repents: "I will heal their apostasy; I will freely love them, for My anger has turned away from them" (Hosea 14:4).

Cultural and Historical Context

In ancient Israel, the concept of whoredom was not only a moral issue but also a social and religious one. The Israelites were called to be a holy nation, set apart for God. Engaging in whorish behavior, particularly idolatry, was seen as a betrayal of their unique relationship with God. The prophets' use of this imagery served as a powerful reminder of the seriousness of their covenant obligations and the consequences of their unfaithfulness.

Theological Implications

The use of "whorish" in the Bible underscores the gravity of spiritual unfaithfulness and the importance of maintaining a pure and devoted relationship with God. It serves as a warning against the dangers of idolatry and moral compromise, urging believers to remain steadfast in their faith and commitment to God's commandments.(a.) Resembling a whore in character or conduct; addicted to unlawful pleasures; incontinent; lewd; unchaste.2181. zanah -- to commit fornication, be a harlot
... fornication, X continually, X great, (be an, play the) harlot, (cause to be, play
the) whore, (commit, fall to) whoredom, (cause to) go a-whoring, whorish. ...
/hebrew/2181.htm - 6k

The Seventh Commandment
... By means of a whorish woman, a man is brought to a piece of bread.' Proverbs 6:26.
Whores are the devil's horse-leeches, sponges that suck in money. ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 7 the seventh commandment.htm

Seventh Commandment
... By means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and
the adulteress will hunt for the precious life. Can ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/weighed and wanting/seventh commandment.htm

But Even Although we Should be under the Necessity of Accepting ...
... And that mode of expression means something like this: Blind the whorish mind of
the whore-monger, and the man is saved; blind the rapacious and thievish mind ...
/.../3 but even although we.htm

Letter vii. --For 335. Easter-Day iv Pharmuthi, iii Kal. April; xx ...
... of deceit is pleasant to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel
[4167] .' And, Honey droppeth from the lips of a whorish woman, which for ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/letter vii for 335 easter-day iv.htm

1 Cor. xiv. 34
... For what can be baser than a man watching the doors before the harlots' chambers,
and beaten by a whorish woman, and weeping, and lamenting, and turning his ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxxvii 1 cor xiv.htm

"My Little Children, These Things Write I unto You, that Ye Sin ...
... The Lord personates a tender hearted father or husband often, "Oh, why will
ye die? Ye have broken my heart with your whorish heart. ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xxi my little children.htm

Blessed are they that Mourn
... Our tears must drown our sins. We must not only mourn but turn. Turn to me with
weeping' (Joel 2:12). What is it to have a watery eye and a whorish heart? ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/6 blessed are they that.htm

Chapter xxxviii
... A certain shame may have led him to choose a less sensitive Canaanite to pay his
whorish debts, The Adullamite seems to regard such service as a true token of ...
/.../leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxviii.htm

The Saints' Privilege and Profit;
... Wherefore after God had so severely threatened and punished his church under the
name of a whorish woman, as you may read in the prophet Ezekiel, he saith, 'So ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the saints privilege and profit.htm

Oracles on the Edge of Doom. (vii. 16-xviii Passim, xxii, Xlv. )
... Thine adulteries, thy neighings, 27 Thy whorish intrigues; On the heights, in the
field have I seen Thy detestable deeds. Jerusalem! Woe unto thee! ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/3 oracles on the edge.htm

Whorish (5 Occurrences)
...Whorish (5 Occurrences). Proverbs 6:26 For by means of a whorish woman a man is
brought to a piece of bread: and the adultress will hunt for the precious life. ...
/w/whorish.htm - 8k

Whoring (17 Occurrences)
... 6:9 And they that escape of you shall remember me among the nations whither they
shall be carried captives, because I am broken with their whorish heart, which ...
/w/whoring.htm - 12k

Lothe (5 Occurrences)
... 6:9 And they that escape of you shall remember me among the nations whither they
shall be carried captives, because I am broken with their whorish heart, which ...
/l/lothe.htm - 8k

Loaf (14 Occurrences)
... Proverbs 6:26 for by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a loaf of bread,
and another's wife doth hunt for the precious soul. (DBY JPS NAS RSV NIV). ...
/l/loaf.htm - 11k

Weak-willed (1 Occurrence)
... Ezekiel 16:30 How weak 'is' thy heart, An affirmation of the Lord Jehovah, In thy
doing all these, The work of a domineering whorish woman. (See NIV). ...
/w/weak-willed.htm - 6k

Whose (3578 Occurrences)

/w/whose.htm - 6k

Imperious (1 Occurrence)
... Ezekiel 16:30 How weak is thine heart, saith the LORD GOD, seeing thou doest all
these things, the work of an imperious whorish woman; (KJV WBS). ...
/i/imperious.htm - 7k

Domineering (2 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Ezekiel 16:30 How weak 'is' thy heart, An affirmation of the Lord Jehovah,
In thy doing all these, The work of a domineering whorish woman. (YLT). ...
/d/domineering.htm - 7k

Adultress (1 Occurrence)
... Adultress (1 Occurrence). Proverbs 6:26 For by means of a whorish woman a man is
brought to a piece of bread: and the adultress will hunt for the precious life. ...
/a/adultress.htm - 6k

Another's (28 Occurrences)
... (See JPS). Proverbs 6:26 for by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a loaf
of bread, and another's wife doth hunt for the precious soul. (DBY). ...
/a/another's.htm - 14k

Whorish: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus