Deuteronomy 23:17

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

There shall be no whore {H6948} of the daughters {H1323} of Israel {H3478}, nor a sodomite {H6945} of the sons {H1121} of Israel {H3478}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"No woman of Isra'el is to engage in ritual prostitution, and no man of Isra'el is to engage in ritual homosexual prostitution.

Berean Standard Bible

No daughter or son of Israel is to be a shrine prostitute.

American Standard Version

There shall be no prostitute of the daughters of Israel, neither shall there be a sodomite of the sons of Israel.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 23:17 issues a profound prohibition against cultic prostitution, both male and female, within the community of Israel. This divine command underscores God's unwavering demand for sexual purity and holiness among His covenant people, serving as a critical differentiator from the idolatrous and morally corrupt practices prevalent in the surrounding Canaanite nations. It establishes a foundational principle that the worship of Yahweh is incompatible with any form of sexual immorality, particularly that which is integrated into religious rituals, thereby safeguarding Israel's spiritual integrity and covenant fidelity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a broader collection of laws in Deuteronomy (chapters 23-25) that detail various regulations concerning ceremonial purity, social conduct, and the proper worship of God for the nation of Israel as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. These laws are part of Moses' final discourse, emphasizing the covenant stipulations that would ensure Israel's blessed dwelling in the land. Specifically, Deuteronomy 23 addresses who may enter the assembly of the Lord, regulations concerning various forms of defilement, and ethical conduct. The prohibition against cultic prostitution is thus placed among laws designed to maintain the sanctity of the Israelite community and their worship, highlighting that moral and sexual purity is integral to their relationship with a holy God.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The ancient Near East, particularly Canaan, was rife with polytheistic fertility cults dedicated to deities such as Baal and Asherah. These cults often involved ritualistic sexual acts, including temple prostitution, believed to stimulate agricultural and human fertility. Such practices were deeply ingrained in the religious and social fabric of the surrounding nations. God's command in Deuteronomy 23:17 directly confronts these abominable practices, demanding a radical separation and moral distinctiveness for Israel. The prohibition was not merely against illicit sex but against the integration of such acts into worship, which was seen as a profound defilement of Yahweh's holiness and an act of idolatry. Israel was called to be a holy nation, set apart from the defiling practices of their neighbors, reflecting the character of their holy God, as commanded in passages like [Leviticus 11:44](/leviticus/11-44 "Leviticus 11:44 - Be Holy, For I Am Holy").
* **Key Themes:** Deuteronomy 23:17 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Deuteronomy and the Pentateuch. Primarily, it reinforces the theme of **Sexual Purity and Holiness**, emphasizing that God's covenant people must embody moral integrity in all aspects of life, especially their sexuality. This purity is directly linked to the theme of **Distinction from Paganism**, as Israel's unique identity was to be defined by its adherence to Yahweh's laws, in stark contrast to the corrupting influence of Canaanite idolatry and its associated immoral practices. Furthermore, the verse underscores **Covenant Fidelity**, where obedience to such laws demonstrated Israel's faithfulness to their covenant with God. Violations were not mere social offenses but acts of rebellion against God, threatening the nation's relationship with Him and their right to dwell securely in the land He promised. The parallel condemnation of both male and female cultic prostitutes also highlights a form of **Equality in Condemnation** before God's law, demonstrating that both genders were equally accountable for these specific sexual sins that defiled the community and its worship.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Whore (Hebrew, _qedesha'_):** This term (קְדֵשָׁה) literally means "holy one" or "set apart one." Ironically, in this context, it refers not to a common prostitute but specifically to a **female cultic prostitute** dedicated to pagan worship. These women were "set apart" for idolatrous sexual rituals, often associated with fertility cults of Baal and Asherah. Their existence within Israel was an anathema, a direct affront to the singular holiness and exclusive worship of Yahweh.
* **Sodomite (Hebrew, _qadesh'_):** This term (קָדֵשׁ) is the male equivalent of _qedesha'_. It refers to a **male cultic prostitute**, often associated with homosexual acts performed in pagan temples as part of fertility rites. The KJV's translation "sodomite" draws a conceptual link to the sin of Sodom ([Genesis 19:5](/genesis/19-5 "The Men of Sodom Demand Lot's Guests"), [Genesis 19:1-11](/genesis/19 "Sodom and Gomorrah")), which involved homosexual acts and a complete disregard for God's moral order. The presence of _qadesh_ in Israel was equally abhorrent, representing a profound defilement of the nation and its covenant with God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"There shall be no whore of the daughters of Israel":** This clause directly prohibits the existence and practice of female cultic prostitution among Israelite women. The phrase "daughters of Israel" emphasizes that this prohibition applies to the covenant community itself, not just foreign elements. It underscores the absolute incompatibility of Yahweh worship with the pagan practices of ritual sexual acts, which were designed to appease false gods and were seen as a grave abomination to the true God. This command safeguards the purity of Israelite women and, by extension, the spiritual integrity of the entire nation.
* **"nor a sodomite of the sons of Israel."**: This parallel clause extends the prohibition to include male cultic prostitutes within the Israelite community. The "sons of Israel" are likewise forbidden from engaging in or becoming _qadesh_. This demonstrates that cultic sexual immorality, including homosexual acts performed in a religious context, was equally condemned regardless of gender. The inclusion of both male and female cultic roles highlights the comprehensive nature of God's demand for sexual purity and the complete rejection of pagan religious practices that defiled both individuals and the land.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 23:17 employs several potent literary devices to convey its absolute prohibition. The most prominent is **Parallelism**, specifically synonymous parallelism, where the two clauses "There shall be no whore of the daughters of Israel, nor a sodomite of the sons of Israel" express the same fundamental prohibition in two corresponding parts. This structure emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the command, applying equally to both genders and encompassing the full scope of cultic sexual perversion. The use of **Prohibition** through the direct negative command ("There shall be no...") conveys the absolute and non-negotiable nature of this law. Furthermore, the verse functions as a form of **Contrast**, implicitly setting Israel's holy standards against the defiling practices of surrounding nations, thereby reinforcing Israel's unique identity as a people set apart for Yahweh.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 23:17 stands as a stark reminder of God's unwavering demand for holiness, particularly in the realm of human sexuality. It reveals that sexual purity is not merely a social convention but a theological imperative, intrinsically linked to the worship of the one true God. The prohibition against cultic prostitution underscores the absolute incompatibility of true worship with any form of idolatry or sexual immorality. God's character as holy necessitates a holy people, and any defilement, especially that which intertwines with religious practice, is an affront to His nature. This law anticipates the broader biblical teaching that human bodies are sacred, designed for God's glory, and that sexual acts have profound spiritual implications. The integrity of the covenant community was directly tied to its adherence to these moral boundaries, ensuring that Israel remained distinct and undefiled amidst pagan influences.

* [Leviticus 19:29](/leviticus/19-29 "Leviticus 19:29 - Do Not Prostitute Your Daughter")
* [Leviticus 18:22-24](/leviticus/18-22 "Leviticus 18:22-24 - Abominable Sexual Practices")
* [1 Kings 14:24](/1_kings/14-24 "1 Kings 14:24 - Judah's Idolatry and Cult Prostitution")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific context of Deuteronomy 23:17 addresses ancient cultic prostitution, its underlying principles resonate powerfully for believers today. God's call to sexual purity and holiness is timeless and transcends cultural shifts. We are called to be a people set apart, not merely from specific ancient pagan rituals, but from the prevailing sexual norms of our contemporary world that often contradict God's design. This verse challenges us to examine our own lives and cultures for any areas where sexual immorality, whether overt or subtle, might be intertwined with our spiritual walk or accepted within our communities. It reminds us that true worship of God demands a radical commitment to purity in thought, word, and deed, recognizing that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. Our fidelity to Christ is demonstrated not only in our beliefs but also in our ethical conduct, particularly in how we steward our sexuality in a way that honors God and reflects His holy character.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways does our contemporary culture promote or normalize sexual practices that contradict God's design for purity?**
* **How can individual believers and the church community actively live out the call to sexual holiness in a world that often rejects biblical standards?**
* **What idols might we be tempted to serve today that subtly or overtly lead to compromises in our sexual integrity?**
* **How does understanding God's demand for holiness in Deuteronomy 23:17 deepen our appreciation for the grace and forgiveness offered in Christ for past failures?**

### FAQ
**What is the difference between a 'whore'/'sodomite' in this verse and a common prostitute?**

Answer: The Hebrew terms _qedesha'_ (whore) and _qadesh_ (sodomite) in Deuteronomy 23:17 refer specifically to cultic or temple prostitutes, both female and male, who engaged in sexual acts as part of pagan religious rituals, particularly fertility cults. This is distinct from a common prostitute (e.g., the Hebrew _zonah_), who engaged in sexual acts for general commercial gain. While the Bible condemns all forms of illicit sexual activity, the unique emphasis in Deuteronomy 23:17 is on the **religious dimension** of these practices. Their presence within Israel was an abomination because it directly defiled the worship of Yahweh and introduced idolatrous practices into the covenant community. It was not just sexual immorality, but sexual immorality consecrated to false gods, making it an act of spiritual treason. For more on general prostitution, see [Proverbs 7](/proverbs/7 "The Allure of the Adulteress").

**Does this verse apply to all forms of sexual immorality today, or just cultic prostitution?**

Answer: While the immediate context of Deuteronomy 23:17 is the specific prohibition of cultic prostitution prevalent in ancient Canaanite worship, the underlying principle of God's demand for sexual purity is timeless and applies to all forms of sexual immorality. The New Testament consistently condemns all sexual activity outside the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman. For example, [1 Corinthians 6:18](/1_corinthians/6-18 "Flee Sexual Immorality") commands believers to "flee from sexual immorality," and [Hebrews 13:4](/hebrews/13-4 "Marriage is Honorable") states that "marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral." Therefore, while the specific *cultic* aspect is ancient, the broader theological principle that God's people must be sexually pure and set apart from the world's defiling practices remains profoundly relevant for Christians today.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 23:17, with its stern prohibition against cultic prostitution, finds its ultimate fulfillment and transformation in Christ. While the specific pagan practices are no longer a direct threat in the same way, the underlying principle of God's demand for absolute purity and exclusive worship resonates deeply in the New Covenant. Jesus did not abolish the law but fulfilled it, elevating the standard from outward acts to the condition of the heart, teaching that lustful thoughts are themselves a form of adultery ([Matthew 5:28](/matthew/5-28 "Lust of the Heart")). He cleansed the temple, not merely of merchants, but of anything that defiled the house of God and hindered true worship ([John 2:13-16](/john/2-13 "Jesus Cleanses the Temple")), echoing the Old Testament's intolerance for defiling practices within sacred space. In Christ, believers become the new temple, indwelt by the Holy Spirit, and are therefore called to glorify God with their bodies, fleeing all forms of sexual immorality ([1 Corinthians 6:19-20](/1_corinthians/6-19 "Your Body a Temple of the Holy Spirit")). Christ, the truly "set apart" and holy one, makes His people holy through His atoning sacrifice, cleansing them from all impurity and presenting them as a pure bride to Himself ([Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25 "Christ and the Church")). Thus, the call for Israel to be distinct and holy from pagan defilement finds its ultimate and perfect realization in the Church, a people redeemed by Christ and empowered by His Spirit to live lives of genuine purity and exclusive devotion to God, anticipating the New Jerusalem where nothing unclean will ever enter ([Revelation 21:27](/revelation/21-27 "No Unclean Thing Enters New Jerusalem")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Kings 23:7

And he brake down the houses of the sodomites, that [were] by the house of the LORD, where the women wove hangings for the grove.

Leviticus 19:29

Do not prostitute thy daughter, to cause her to be a whore; lest the land fall to whoredom, and the land become full of wickedness.

1 Kings 14:24

And there were also sodomites in the land: [and] they did according to all the abominations of the nations which the LORD cast out before the children of Israel.

Deuteronomy 22:21

Then they shall bring out the damsel to the door of her father's house, and the men of her city shall stone her with stones that she die: because she hath wrought folly in Israel, to play the whore in her father's house: so shalt thou put evil away from among you.

1 Kings 22:46

And the remnant of the sodomites, which remained in the days of his father Asa, he took out of the land.

1 Kings 15:12

And he took away the sodomites out of the land, and removed all the idols that his fathers had made.

1 Timothy 1:10

For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;