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Deuteronomy 23:18

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Deuteronomy 23:18 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Thou shalt not bring the hire of a harlot, or the wages of a dog, into the house of Jehovah thy God for any vow: for even both these are an abomination unto Jehovah thy God.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Thou shalt not bring the hire of a harlot, or the wages of a dog, into the house of Jehovah thy God for any vow: for even both these are an abomination unto Jehovah thy God.
Deuteronomy 23:18 — American Standard Version

Context — Deuteronomy 23

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
15Thou shalt not deliver unto his master a servant that is escaped from his master unto thee:
16he shall dwell with thee, in the midst of thee, in the place which he shall choose within one of thy gates, where it pleaseth him best: thou shalt not oppress him.
17There shall be no prostitute of the daughters of Israel, neither shall there be a sodomite of the sons of Israel.
18Thou shalt not bring the hire of a harlot, or the wages of a dog, into the house of Jehovah thy God for any vow: for even both these are an abomination unto Jehovah thy God.
19Thou shalt not lend upon interest to thy brother; interest of money, interest of victuals, interest of anything that is lent upon interest:
20unto a foreigner thou mayest lend upon interest; but unto thy brother thou shalt not lend upon interest, that Jehovah thy God may bless thee in all that thou puttest thy hand unto, in the land whither thou goest in to possess it.
21When thou shalt vow a vow unto Jehovah thy God, thou shalt not be slack to pay it: for Jehovah thy God will surely require it of thee; and it would be sin in thee.
← Deuteronomy 23:17Deuteronomy 23:19 →
← Full Chapter 23 Deuteronomy Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Another Gentile practice, connected with the one alluded to in the preceding verse, is here forbidden. The word “dog” is figurative (compare Revelation 22:15), and equivalent to the “sodomite” of the verse preceding. return to 'Top of Page' Footnotes: Copyright Statement These files are public domain. Bibliographical Information Barnes, Albert. "Commentary on Deuteronomy 23". "Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible". https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/bnb/deuteronomy-23.html. 1870. StudyLight.org © 2001-2026 Powered by Lightspeed Technology”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“The hire of a whore - This is opposed to the practice of the Gentiles, who allowed both such persons and the oblations they made out of their infamous gains; and some of them kept lewd women, who prostituted themselves in the temples, to the honour of their false Gods, and offered part of their profit to them. Or the price of a dog - It seems to mean, of a whoremonger or sodomite. Such are called dogs, Rev 22:15. And it is not improbable they are called so here. From these God would not accept of any offering. Deuteronomy 23:19”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“23:18 a man: The Hebrew word (literally a dog) was a derogatory term for homosexual men, who often took part in Canaanite religious ceremonies.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“hire: Eze 16:33 dog: Psa 22:16; Pro 26:11; Isa 56:10, Isa 56:11; Mat 7:6; Phi 3:2; Pe2 2:22; Rev 22:15 any vow: Deu 23:21, Deu 12:6; Lev 7:16; Psa 5:4-6; Isa 61:8; Hab 1:13; Mal 1:14 Deuteronomy 23:19”
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Related study paths

Read Deuteronomy 23 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification