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What the Bible Says About Harlot

Overview

The Bible addresses harlot across 47 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in Proverbs, Joshua and Isaiah. Closely related themes include Adultery, Young Men, Lasciviousness and Temptation. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Rahab.

Key Bible verses about harlot

Old Testament

Proverbs

Proverbs 5:3

For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil: mouth: Heb. palate

Proverbs 5:4

But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a twoedged sword.

Proverbs 5:5

Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell.

Proverbs 5:6

Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable, that thou canst not know them.

Proverbs 5:7

Hear me now therefore, O ye children, and depart not from the words of my mouth.

Proverbs 5:8

Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house:

Proverbs 5:9

Lest thou give thine honour unto others, and thy years unto the cruel:

Proverbs 5:10

Lest strangers be filled with thy wealth; and thy labours be in the house of a stranger; thy wealth: Heb. thy strength

Proverbs 5:11

And thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed,

Proverbs 5:12

And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof;

Proverbs 5:13

And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me!

Proverbs 5:14

I was almost in all evil in the midst of the congregation and assembly.

Proverbs 5:15

Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well.

Proverbs 5:16

Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets.

Proverbs 5:17

Let them be only thine own, and not strangers' with thee.

Proverbs 5:18

Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.

Proverbs 5:19

Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love. satisfy: Heb. water thee be thou: Heb. err thou always in her love

Proverbs 5:20

And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?

Proverbs 7:11

(She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house:

Proverbs 7:12

Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.)

Proverbs 7:13

So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him, with: Heb. she strengthened her face and said

Proverbs 7:14

I have peace offerings with me; this day have I payed my vows. I have: Heb. Peace offerings are upon me

Proverbs 7:15

Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.

Proverbs 7:16

I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt.

Proverbs 7:17

I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.

Proverbs 7:18

Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves.

Proverbs 7:19

For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey:

Proverbs 7:20

He hath taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed. with: Heb. in his hand the day: or, the new moon

Proverbs 7:21

With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him.

Proverbs 7:22

He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks; straightway: Heb. suddenly

Proverbs 7:23

Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life.

Proverbs 7:24

Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth.

Proverbs 7:25

Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths.

Proverbs 7:26

For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her.

Proverbs 7:27

Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death.

Proverbs 9:13

A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing.

Proverbs 9:14

For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,

Proverbs 9:15

To call passengers who go right on their ways:

Proverbs 9:16

Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him,

Proverbs 9:17

Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant. eaten: Heb. of secrecies

Proverbs 9:18

But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.

People in the Bible and harlot

Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.

In the Bible dictionary

Studying harlot for yourself

  • Begin with Joshua 2:3, then read the passages below in canonical order.
  • Compare how Proverbs, Joshua and Isaiah each treat the theme.
  • Consider the lives of Rahab and how their stories intersect with it.
  • Widen the study to related themes: Adultery, Young Men, Lasciviousness and Temptation.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Bible say about harlot?

The Bible addresses harlot across 47 verses, drawn from the Old Testament. These passages cluster most in Proverbs, Joshua and Isaiah. Closely related themes include Adultery, Young Men, Lasciviousness and Temptation. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Rahab.

How many Bible verses are about harlot?

The Bible references harlot in 47 verses (King James Version).

Where does the Bible first mention harlot?

In canonical order, the first of these passages is Joshua 2:3: “And the king of Jericho sent unto Rahab, saying, Bring forth the men that are come to thee, which are entered into thine house: for they be come to search out all the country.”

Which people in the Bible are associated with harlot?

Rahab.

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