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18 There shall be no temple prostitute[a] among the Israelite women, nor a temple prostitute among the Israelite men.(A) 19 You shall not offer a prostitute’s fee or a dog’s pay[b] as any kind of votive offering in the house of the Lord, your God; both these things are an abomination to the Lord, your God.(B)

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Footnotes

  1. 23:18–19 Temple prostitute: Heb. qedesha, lit., “holy one,” a title of the goddess of fertility. The role or function of the qedesha is debated; some see this as simply a term for a prostitute (Heb. zona). Others see it as designating a cultic role but not necessarily one involving sexual activity. The evidence is insufficient to give a final answer.
  2. 23:19 Dog’s pay: “dog” is a derogatory term for a male temple prostitute.

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:

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