Lexical Summary zonoth: Harlots, prostitutes, promiscuous women Original Word: זֹנוֹת Strong's Exhaustive Concordance armour Regarded by some as if from zuwn or an unused root, and applied to military equipments; but evidently the feminine plural active participle of zanah; harlots -- armour. see HEBREW zuwn see HEBREW zanah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfem. pl. part. of zanah, q.v. Topical Lexicon Definition and Scope The word designates women who sell sexual favors. In Scripture it also evokes the broader idea of covenant infidelity, making it both a social reality and a spiritual metaphor. Occurrences and Immediate Contexts • 1 Kings 3:16: “Then two prostitutes came to the king and stood before him.” The first passage frames King Solomon’s famous ruling; the second records the grim aftermath of King Ahab’s death, fulfilling Elijah’s prophecy. Old Testament Cultural Background Prostitution was familiar throughout the Ancient Near East. While some cultures ritualized it in temple precincts, Israel’s law rejected every form of it (Leviticus 19:29; Deuteronomy 23:17). The covenant community was called to radical sexual purity, reflecting the holiness of the LORD. Against that ideal, the presence of prostitutes in Israel highlights both societal brokenness and the need for wise governance and gracious redemption. Spiritual and Theological Themes 1. Symbol of Idolatry: The prophets repeatedly liken Israel’s worship of other gods to harlotry (Hosea 4:12–13; Ezekiel 16:15). The concrete image of sexual unfaithfulness confronts the heart-level betrayal of forsaking the LORD. Lessons from 1 Kings 3:16–28 • Divine wisdom discerns truth beyond appearances; social status does not hinder access to the king’s court. Warning in 1 Kings 22:38 Ahab’s disregard for the LORD culminates in humiliation witnessed by those on society’s margins. The detail about prostitutes, otherwise incidental, magnifies the public nature of divine retribution and affirms that every prophetic word stands. Prophetic and Wisdom Literature Parallels Proverbs personifies folly as a seductive woman whose house “leads down to death” (Proverbs 7:27), reinforcing the link between moral compromise and ruin. Conversely, Wisdom, depicted as a noble lady, offers life. The juxtaposition invites readers to choose covenant fidelity over spiritual adultery. Intercanonical Connections The Greek New Testament echoes the theme: Jesus affirms that “tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you” (Matthew 21:31–32), while maintaining the call to repentance. The transformation of such individuals bears witness to the gospel’s power and the consistency of God’s redemptive agenda across both Testaments. Implications for Ministry • Uphold sexual purity while extending gospel hope to the sexually broken. Further Study Genesis 38; Leviticus 19:29; Deuteronomy 23:17–18; Joshua 2; Proverbs 5–7; Hosea 1–4; Ezekiel 16; Matthew 1:5; Luke 7:36–50; Hebrews 11:31; Revelation 17–19. Forms and Transliterations וְהַזֹּנ֖וֹת והזנות זֹנ֖וֹת זנות vehazzoNot wə·haz·zō·nō·wṯ wəhazzōnōwṯ zō·nō·wṯ zoNot zōnōwṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Kings 3:16 HEB: שְׁתַּ֛יִם נָשִׁ֥ים זֹנ֖וֹת אֶל־ הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ INT: two women armour to the king 1 Kings 22:38 2 Occurrences |
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