Deuteronomy 23:17

“Compare the marginal reference. Prostitution was a common part of religious observances among idolatrous nations, especially in the worship of Ashtoreth or Astarte. Compare Micah 1:7; Baruch 6:43. return to 'Top of Page'”

“No whore - No common prostitute, such as were tolerated and encouraged by the Gentiles, and used even in their religious worship. Not that such practices were allowed to the strangers among them, as is evident from many scriptures and reasons, but that it was in a peculiar manner, and upon special reasons, forbidden to them, as being much more odious in them than in strangers. Deuteronomy 23:18”

“23:17 A temple prostitute was commonly a part of Canaanite religious rituals, but they were forbidden in Israel.”

“There shall be: etc. The prohibition in the text, like many others, has no direct application to practices that were common among the Israelites at that time; but was intended to guard them against the enormities which were practised among the surrounding nations. Deu 22:21, Deu 22:29; Lev 19:29; Pro 2:16 whore: or, sodomitess, Rom 1:26 sodomite: Gen 19:4, Gen 19:5; Jdg 19:22; Kg1 14:24, Kg1 15:12, Kg1 22:46; Kg2 23:7; Rom 1:27, Rom 1:28; Co1 6:9; Ti1 1:10 Deuteronomy 23:18”

“On the other hand, male and female prostitutes of Israelitish descent were not to be tolerated; i.e., it was not to be allowed, that either a male or female among the Israelites should give himself up to prostitution as an act of religious worship. The exclusion of foreign prostitutes was involved in the command to root out the Canaanites. קדּשׁ and קדשׁה were persons who prostituted themselves in the worship of the Canaanitish Astarte (see at Gen 38:21). \- "The wages of a prostitute and the money of dogs shall not come into the house of the Lord on account of (ל, for the more remote cause, Ewald, 217) any vow; for even both these (viz., even the prostitute and dog, not merely their…”