Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Context:The term "whoring" in the Bible is often used metaphorically to describe unfaithfulness to God, particularly through idolatry and the pursuit of false gods. It is derived from the Hebrew word "zanah," which means to commit fornication or to be unfaithful. In a broader sense, it encompasses any form of spiritual adultery where the people of God turn away from Him to pursue other deities or worldly desires.
Biblical References:1.
Idolatry as Whoring: The Bible frequently uses the imagery of whoring to describe Israel's idolatry. In the book of Exodus, God warns the Israelites against making covenants with the inhabitants of the land, "lest they prostitute themselves with their gods and sacrifice to them" (
Exodus 34:15). This metaphor highlights the spiritual betrayal involved in idolatry, equating it to marital unfaithfulness.
2.
Prophetic Warnings: The prophets often rebuked Israel for going "whoring" after other gods. In Hosea, God commands the prophet to marry a promiscuous woman as a symbol of Israel's unfaithfulness: "For like an adulterous wife, this land is guilty of unfaithfulness to the LORD" (
Hosea 1:2). This vivid imagery underscores the gravity of Israel's spiritual infidelity.
3.
Consequences of Whoring: The Bible outlines severe consequences for whoring, both in a literal and spiritual sense. In Leviticus, God warns, "Do not prostitute your daughter, to cause her to be a whore; lest the land fall to whoredom, and the land become full of wickedness" (
Leviticus 19:29). This command reflects the broader societal impact of such actions, leading to moral decay and divine judgment.
4.
Call to Repentance: Despite the harsh language and severe consequences, the Bible also offers a path to redemption. In Jeremiah, God calls His people to return to Him, promising healing and restoration: "Return, O faithless children, declares the LORD, for I am your master; I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and bring you to Zion" (
Jeremiah 3:14). This call emphasizes God's desire for reconciliation and faithfulness.
5.
New Testament Perspective: While the New Testament does not use the term "whoring" as frequently, the concept of spiritual fidelity remains central. The apostle Paul warns against sexual immorality and idolatry, urging believers to honor God with their bodies and spirits (
1 Corinthians 6:18-20). The church is depicted as the bride of Christ, called to remain pure and devoted to Him (
Ephesians 5:25-27).
Theological Implications:Whoring, as depicted in the Bible, serves as a powerful metaphor for the covenant relationship between God and His people. It underscores the seriousness of spiritual unfaithfulness and the importance of exclusive devotion to God. The repeated calls to repentance and the promise of restoration highlight God's enduring love and mercy, even in the face of human infidelity.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Whore.
Strong's Hebrew
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.
...Library
On the Same Words of the Gospel, John xiv. 6, "I am the Way," Etc.
... For her misery hath taught her, how evil a thing it is to go awhoring from
the Lord. For to fall away from that Simple and Singular...
Of the Manifold Meaning of the Holy Scriptures.
... thee," [1898] of which fornication elsewhere also the Lord says in rebuking them:
"The spirit of fornication deceived them, and they went awhoring from their...
That all the Saints, Both under the Law and Before It, were...
... "For, lo," he says, "they that are far from Thee shall perish: Thou destroyest all
them that go a-whoring from Thee,""that is, who prostitute themselves to...
CHAP. II. 4-25 (2-23).
... i.2, where the notion of adultery is paraphrased by: "whoring away from the Lord."
By "whoredom," the genus"carnal crimes in general"is designated; by...
Of the Unity of the Godhead and the Trinity of Persons
... "Your hearts are gone awhoring from God. O that ye would believe it."
None of you will deny but ye have broken all the commands....
The Section Chap. I. -iii.
... to the reality. According to ver.2, it is to be expressed figuratively
that the people went a-whoring from Jehovah. The spiritual...
CHAPTER III.
... to her entering [Pg 280] into a firm relation to a single individual; just as, in
point of fact, the relation of Israel to the idols hitherto was awhoring....
CHAP. I. -II. 3 (II. 1).
... when the Lord spake to Hosea, the Lord said to Hosea: Go take unto thee a wife of
whoredoms, and children of whoredoms; for the land iswhoring away from the...
The Crowning of Abimelech
... And it came to pass, as soon as Gideon was dead, that the children of Israel turned
again, and went awhoring after the Baalim, and made Baal-berith their god....
The Life of Mr. Donald Cargil.
... he said, This is the first step of our going a-whoring from God; and whoever of
the Lord's people this day are rejoicing, their joy will be like the crackling...
Thesaurus
Whoring (17 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Whore. Multi-Version
Concordance
Whoring (17 Occurrences). Exodus 34:15 Lest thou
...A-whoring (35 Occurrences)
A-whoring. Awhile, A-whoring. Awl . Multi-Version Concordance
A-whoring (35 Occurrences). Exodus 34:15 Lest thou make...
Loathsome (20 Occurrences)
... Me have your escaped among nations, Whither they have been taken captive, Because
I have been broken with their heart that is going a-whoring, That hath turned...
Whorish (5 Occurrences)
... they shall be carried captives, because I am broken with their whorish heart, which
hath departed from me, and with their eyes, which go awhoring after their...
Pollute (42 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 19:29 Thou dost not pollute thy daughter to cause her to go a-whoring,
that the land go not a-whoring, and the land hath been full of wickedness....
Whoredom (58 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 20:5 Then I will set my face against that man, and against his family,
and will cut him off, and all that go awhoring after him, to commit whoredom...
Whoredoms (34 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 21:13 But hast walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and hast made
Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to go awhoring, like to the...
Awl (2 Occurrences)
Goest (79 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 16:15 And thou dost trust in thy beauty, And goest a-whoring because of
thy renown, And dost pour out thy whoredoms On every passer by -- to him it is....
Caused (468 Occurrences)
... Exodus 34:16 and thou hast taken of their daughters to thy sons, and their daughters
have gone a-whoring after their gods, and have caused thy sons to go a...
Resources
Was Martin Luther anti-Semitic? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the difference between fornication and adultery? | GotQuestions.orgWhoring: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
