2185. zonoth

Lexicon

zonoth: Harlots, prostitutes, promiscuous women

Original Word: זֹנוֹת
Part of Speech: Noun
Transliteration: zonowth
Pronunciation: zah-NOHTH
Phonetic Spelling: (zo-noth')
Definition: Harlots, prostitutes, promiscuous women
Meaning: harlots

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 Origin
fem. pl. part. of zanah, q.v.

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the root זָנָה (zanah), which means "to commit fornication" or "to be a harlot."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • G4204 (πόρνη, porne): This Greek term is used in the New Testament to refer to a prostitute or harlot. It carries a similar connotation to the Hebrew "zonah," emphasizing sexual immorality and unfaithfulness.
• G4205 (πόρνος, pornos): This term refers to a fornicator or one who engages in sexual immorality, often used in a broader sense to include both male and female participants in such acts.

These entries highlight the continuity in the biblical narrative regarding the themes of sexual immorality and spiritual unfaithfulness, as seen in both the Hebrew and Greek Scriptures.

Usage: The word "zonot" is used in the Hebrew Bible to describe women who engage in sexual immorality, often in the context of idolatry or moral decline. It is typically used in a negative sense, highlighting the departure from covenantal faithfulness to God.

Context: The term "zonot" appears in the Hebrew Scriptures to denote women who engage in prostitution. This practice is often condemned in the biblical text as it is associated with idolatry and the abandonment of the covenant relationship with God. In ancient Israelite society, prostitution was not only a moral issue but also a religious one, as it was frequently linked to pagan worship practices.

The Bible uses the imagery of harlotry to describe Israel's unfaithfulness to God, portraying the nation as a wayward spouse who has turned to other gods. This metaphor is vividly illustrated in the prophetic books, where Israel's idolatry is likened to the actions of a harlot. For example, in the book of Hosea, the prophet is commanded to marry a prostitute to symbolize Israel's unfaithfulness (Hosea 1:2).

In the historical narratives, the presence of harlots is sometimes mentioned in the context of military and political events. For instance, Rahab, a harlot in Jericho, plays a crucial role in the Israelite conquest of the city by hiding the spies sent by Joshua (Joshua 2:1). Despite her profession, Rahab is commended for her faith and is included in the genealogy of Jesus (Matthew 1:5).

The use of "zonot" in the biblical text serves as a powerful reminder of the call to holiness and the dangers of turning away from God's commandments. It underscores the importance of faithfulness in the covenant relationship between God and His people.

Forms and Transliterations

וְהַזֹּנ֖וֹת והזנות זֹנ֖וֹת זנות vehazzoNot wə·haz·zō·nō·wṯ wəhazzōnōwṯ zō·nō·wṯ zoNot zōnōwṯ

Englishman's Concordance

1 Kings 3:16
HEB: שְׁתַּ֛יִם נָשִׁ֥ים זֹנ֖וֹת אֶל־ הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ
INT: two women armour to the king

1 Kings 22:38
HEB: אֶת־ דָּמ֔וֹ וְהַזֹּנ֖וֹת רָחָ֑צוּ כִּדְבַ֥ר
KJV: and they washed his armour; according unto the word
INT: and the dogs his blood his armour bathed to the word

2 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 2185
2 Occurrences

wə·haz·zō·nō·wṯ — 1 Occ.
zō·nō·wṯ — 1 Occ.