King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 23:17 Mean?

Deuteronomy 23:17 in the King James Version says “There shall be no whore of the daughters of Israel, nor a sodomite of the sons of Israel. whore: or, sodomitess” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“There shall be no whore of the daughters of Israel, nor a sodomite of the sons of Israel. whore: or, sodomitess”

Deuteronomy 23:17 · KJV

Context

15

Thou shalt not deliver unto his master the servant which is escaped from his master unto thee:

16

He shall dwell with thee, even among you, in that place which he shall choose in one of thy gates, where it liketh him best: thou shalt not oppress him. liketh: Heb. is good for him

17

There shall be no whore of the daughters of Israel, nor a sodomite of the sons of Israel. whore: or, sodomitess

18

Thou shalt not bring the hire of a whore, or the price of a dog, into the house of the LORD thy God for any vow: for even both these are abomination unto the LORD thy God.

19

Thou shalt not lend upon usury to thy brother; usury of money, usury of victuals, usury of any thing that is lent upon usury:

Read Deuteronomy 23 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
There shall be no whore of the daughters of Israel, nor a sodomite of the sons of Israel.

This verse prohibits cultic prostitution, both female and male. The Hebrew qedeshah (קְדֵשָׁה, 'whore') and qadesh (קָדֵשׁ, 'sodomite') literally mean 'consecrated woman' and 'consecrated man,' referring to temple prostitutes dedicated to pagan deities, not ordinary prostitution. These individuals performed ritual sexual acts as part of Canaanite fertility religion, believing such activities ensured agricultural productivity, human fertility, and divine favor. The terms' root qadash (קָדַשׁ, 'to be holy/set apart') shows these were religious functionaries, though serving false gods.

The prohibition targeted syncretism's sexual dimension. Canaanite religion centered on Baal and Asherah, fertility deities whose worship involved sexual rituals believed to stimulate divine procreative powers and ensure crop yields. Archaeological discoveries at Canaanite sites reveal temples with adjoining rooms for ritual prostitution and numerous figurines depicting sexual acts and nude goddesses. Israel's absolute prohibition of such practices distinguished Yahweh worship from surrounding fertility cults and affirmed sexuality's proper context: covenant marriage, not pagan ritual.

Theologically, this law established several crucial principles: (1) sexuality is sacred, reserved for marriage, not religious ritual; (2) false worship inevitably corrupts sexual ethics; (3) holiness to Yahweh excludes adopting pagan practices even when culturally normalized. Despite this clear command, cultic prostitution repeatedly infected Israel (1 Kings 14:24, 15:12, 22:46, 2 Kings 23:7), validating the prohibition's necessity. For Christians, this warns against conforming sexuality to cultural norms contradicting biblical standards and guards against false teaching that baptizes immorality as spiritual freedom.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Archaeological and textual evidence confirms the widespread practice of cultic prostitution throughout the ancient Near East. Temples excavated at Canaanite sites like Megiddo, Hazor, and Lachish include features consistent with ritual prostitution. Thousands of clay figurines depicting nude females, many emphasizing sexual characteristics, have been discovered at Israelite and Canaanite sites, likely representing Asherah. The Ugaritic texts (14th-13th centuries BC) describe ritual sexual acts in Baal worship, confirming biblical descriptions of Canaanite religious practices.

Mesopotamian temples employed qadishtu (cognate with Hebrew qedeshah), sacred prostitutes serving Ishtar and other fertility goddesses. Temple records document payments to these religious functionaries, confirming their official status. Greek historian Herodotus (5th century BC) described Babylonian customs requiring women to serve once in Aphrodite's temple, though his account may be exaggerated. Nonetheless, the practice's religious significance throughout the ancient world is well-established.

Israel's persistent struggle with cultic prostitution, evidenced throughout Kings and Chronicles, demonstrates surrounding cultures' powerful influence. King Josiah's reforms included removing qedeshim from the temple precincts (2 Kings 23:7), revealing that such practices had infiltrated even Yahweh's sanctuary. The prohibition's repetition and the historical record of violation demonstrate both the practice's cultural normality in the ancient Near East and Israel's frequent failure to maintain distinctive sexual ethics. This historical pattern warns against assuming cultural norms, even religiously sanctioned ones, align with God's standards.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the connection between false worship and sexual immorality in this verse illuminate contemporary cultural trends?
  2. What does this prohibition teach about sexuality's sacred nature and its proper context in God's design?
  3. How should Christians respond to cultural movements that redefine sexual morality while claiming spiritual or religious justification?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
לֹֽא1 of 10
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תִהְיֶ֥ה2 of 10
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

קְדֵשָׁ֖ה3 of 10

“There shall be no whore”

H6948

a female devotee (i.e., prostitute)

מִבְּנ֣וֹת4 of 10

“of the daughters”

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃5 of 10

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

וְלֹֽא6 of 10
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יִהְיֶ֥ה7 of 10
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

קָדֵ֖שׁ8 of 10

“nor a sodomite”

H6945

a (quasi) sacred person, i.e., (technically) a (male) devotee (by prostitution) to licentious idolatry

מִבְּנֵ֥י9 of 10

“of the sons”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃10 of 10

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Deuteronomy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Deuteronomy 23:17 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Deuteronomy 23:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Kings 23:71 Kings 14:24Leviticus 19:29Deuteronomy 22:211 Kings 15:121 Kings 22:46

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