from קָדַשׁ; a (quasi) sacred person, i.e. (technically) a (male) devotee (by prostitution) to licentious idolatry; sodomite, unclean.
Transliteration:qâdêsh
Pronunciation:kaw-dashe'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term H6945 (קָדֵשׁ, *qâdêsh*) derives from the root `{{H6942}}` (קָדַשׁ, *qâdash*), which fundamentally signifies "to be holy," "to be set apart," or "to be consecrated." However, H6945 represents a profound perversion of this sacred root. Far from denoting genuine holiness, *qâdêsh* refers to a person, specifically a male, dedicated to cultic prostitution within pagan religious systems. The term thus carries the ironic sense of a "consecrated one" whose consecration is to illicit and abhorrent practices. Its semantic range encompasses "male cult prostitute," "sodomite," or one engaged in "unclean" acts of licentious idolatry. This individual was consecrated not to Yahweh, but to false deities, with sexual acts being considered a form of worship or a means to invoke fertility from these idols. The designation "unclean" directly contrasts with the pure and undefiled holiness demanded by the God of Israel.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term H6945 appears in several key biblical passages, consistently in contexts of strong condemnation and as a marker of severe apostasy:
* In [[Deuteronomy 23:17]] (English Bibles often 23:18), the Torah explicitly forbids the presence of a *qâdêsh* among the sons of Israel: "There shall be no `{{H6945}}` of the sons of Israel, nor a cult prostitute of the daughters of Israel." This prohibition underscores the absolute incompatibility of such practices with Yahweh's covenant and the purity required of His people.
* During the divided monarchy, the presence of *qâdêsh* figures is a recurring indictment of Judah's spiritual decline. [[1 Kings 14:24]] notes their existence during the reign of Rehoboam, marking a period of widespread idolatry and moral corruption: "There were also `{{H6945}}` in the land, and they committed all the abominations of the nations whom the Lord dispossessed before the sons of Israel."
* Later, righteous kings are commended for their efforts to eradicate this evil. [[1 Kings 15:12]] records King Asa's reform: "And he took away the `{{H6945}}` out of the land, and removed all the idols that his fathers had made." Similarly, [[1 Kings 22:46]] (English Bibles often 22:47) praises King Jehoshaphat: "And the remnant of the `{{H6945}}`, which remained in the days of his father Asa, he took out of the land."
* The most thorough eradication is described in [[2 Kings 23:7]], where King Josiah, during his sweeping reform, "pulled down the houses of the `{{H6945}}` that were by the house of the Lord, where the women wove hangings for Asherah." This verse highlights the direct link between the *qâdêsh* and the cult of Asherah, a prominent Canaanite fertility goddess, and the scandalous proximity of such practices to the Jerusalem Temple.
* In [[Job 36:14]], the plural form of the word (קְדֵשִׁים, *qᵉdēšîm*) is used in a general statement about the fate of the wicked: "They die in youth, and their life is among the `{{H6945}}`." This suggests that cultic prostitution was a recognized category of profound moral depravity, leading to an ignominious end.
Throughout these contexts, the *qâdêsh* represents a profound spiritual and moral transgression, a direct affront to God's holiness and a symbol of Israel's descent into the abominable practices of the surrounding nations.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of H6945 is enriched by examining its relationship to other biblical terms and theological concepts:
* **`{{H6942}}` (קָדַשׁ, *qâdash* - to be holy):** This is the root from which *qâdêsh* is derived. The stark contrast between the root's meaning of true holiness and the perverted application in *qâdêsh* underscores the profound theological irony and abomination.
* **`{{H6948}}` (קְדֵשָׁה, *qᵉdēšâ* - female cult prostitute):** This is the feminine counterpart to *qâdêsh*, denoting a female cult prostitute. Both terms are equally condemned and often appear together in prohibitions and descriptions of idolatrous practices.
* **`{{H2181}}` (זָנָה, *zânâh* - to commit fornication/prostitution):** This verb is a broader term for sexual immorality and is frequently used metaphorically in the Old Testament to describe Israel's spiritual unfaithfulness to Yahweh, likening idolatry to spiritual prostitution. The actions of the *qâdêsh* are a concrete manifestation of this spiritual *zânâh*.
* **`{{H8441}}` (תּוֹעֵבָה, *tôʿēbâ* - abomination):** Practices associated with the *qâdêsh*, including cultic prostitution and idolatry, are consistently labeled as *tôʿēbâ* in the Law, signifying something utterly detestable to God.
* **Baal and Asherah Worship:** The *qâdêsh* was intricately linked to the fertility cults of Canaanite deities like Baal and Asherah, which involved ritualistic sexual acts believed to stimulate agricultural and human fertility. The eradication of the *qâdêsh* was therefore synonymous with the dismantling of these pagan systems.
* **Sexual Immorality (Leviticus 18):** The existence of the *qâdêsh* directly violates the broader purity laws concerning sexual ethics outlined in passages like [[Leviticus 18]], which condemn various forms of sexual perversion, including homosexual acts.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of H6945 is profound, touching upon core biblical doctrines:
* **The Perversion of Holiness:** The *qâdêsh* stands as a stark symbol of the perversion of true holiness. God calls His people to be *qâdôsh* (holy), set apart for Him and His righteous purposes. The *qâdêsh*, by contrast, is "set apart" for unholy, idolatrous, and immoral ends, representing the antithesis of divine holiness. This highlights the absolute distinction between Yahweh's pure worship and the corrupt practices of paganism.
* **Idolatry and Spiritual Adultery:** The *qâdêsh* is not merely a figure of sexual immorality but primarily an embodiment of idolatry. Their actions are religious rituals, demonstrating a deep commitment to false gods. This constitutes spiritual adultery, a betrayal of the covenant relationship with Yahweh, who demands exclusive devotion.
* **Covenant Violation and Purity:** The prohibition and subsequent removal of the *qâdêsh* underscore the stringent purity requirements of the Mosaic Covenant. The presence of such figures defiled the land and the people, inviting divine judgment. Maintaining a society free from the *qâdêsh* was essential for Israel's covenant faithfulness and their identity as a holy nation.
* **Divine Judgment and Restoration:** The biblical narrative demonstrates that the toleration of the *qâdêsh* and associated idolatry led to national decline and divine judgment (e.g., exile). Conversely, the actions of righteous kings in removing the *qâdêsh* are presented as acts of obedience that brought about periods of spiritual renewal and averted God's wrath, demonstrating the importance of purging evil for national well-being.
* **The Nature of True Worship:** The existence of the *qâdêsh* provides a dark backdrop against which the purity, exclusivity, and moral demands of true worship of Yahweh are illuminated. God's worship is not to be defiled by licentious acts or syncretism but is to be characterized by righteousness, justice, and wholehearted devotion.
### Summary
The Hebrew term H6945 (קָדֵשׁ, *qâdêsh*) refers to a male cult prostitute, a figure deeply embedded in the licentious fertility cults of ancient Near Eastern paganism. Though derived from a root meaning "to be holy" (`{{H6942}}`), the *qâdêsh* represents a profound and abhorrent perversion of true holiness, being "consecrated" to idolatry and sexual immorality rather than to Yahweh. Biblical occurrences consistently condemn the *qâdêsh* as an abomination (`{{H8441}}`), a symbol of Israel's apostasy and a direct violation of God's covenant and purity laws. Righteous kings were commended for their efforts to eradicate these figures, highlighting the theological imperative to maintain the sanctity of the land and the people from defiling pagan practices. The *qâdêsh* serves as a powerful reminder of the stark contrast between the pure demands of Yahweh's worship and the corrupting influence of idolatry and spiritual unfaithfulness.
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