Topical Bible: Play

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Topical Encyclopedia

Definition and Context:
In the biblical context, "play" can refer to various forms of amusement, recreation, or entertainment. It is often associated with joy, celebration, and sometimes idolatry or sinful behavior, depending on the context. The Bible presents play both positively and negatively, highlighting its role in human life and its potential for misuse.

Positive Aspects of Play:
Play is seen as a natural and joyful expression of life, particularly in the context of children. Jesus Himself acknowledged the innocence and joy of children at play. In Matthew 11:16-17 , Jesus compares the generation to children sitting in the marketplaces, calling to others, "We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn." This passage illustrates the natural inclination of children to engage in playful activities and the expectation of a joyful response.

The Bible also recognizes the importance of rest and recreation. Ecclesiastes 3:4 states, "a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance," suggesting that play and joy have their rightful place in the rhythm of life. Play, in this sense, can be a form of celebration and a way to express gratitude for God's blessings.

Negative Aspects of Play:
Conversely, the Bible warns against forms of play that lead to idolatry or immorality. In Exodus 32:6 , during the incident of the golden calf, the Israelites "sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry." Here, "revelry" is associated with idolatrous worship and sinful behavior, indicating that play can become corrupt when it leads people away from God.

Similarly, in 1 Corinthians 10:7 , Paul warns the Corinthians, "Do not be idolaters, as some of them were. As it is written: 'The people sat down to eat and to drink, and got up to revel in play.'" This admonition serves as a reminder that play should not become an occasion for sin or distraction from spiritual devotion.

Play in Worship and Celebration:
Play is also present in the context of worship and celebration. King David's dance before the Ark of the Covenant is a notable example. In 2 Samuel 6:14 , "And David, wearing a linen ephod, danced with all his might before the LORD." David's exuberant dance was an expression of worship and joy in the presence of God, demonstrating that play can be a form of worship when directed towards the Lord.

Conclusion:
While the Bible acknowledges the joy and innocence associated with play, it also cautions against its potential misuse. Play should be enjoyed within the boundaries of righteousness and should ultimately glorify God.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

1. (n.) To engage in sport or lively recreation; to exercise for the sake of amusement; to frolic; to spot.

2. (n.) To act with levity or thoughtlessness; to trifle; to be careless.

3. (n.) To contend, or take part, in a game; as, to play ball; hence, to gamble; as, he played for heavy stakes.

4. (n.) To perform on an instrument of music; as, to play on a flute.

5. (n.) To act; to behave; to practice deception.

6. (n.) To move in any manner; especially, to move regularly with alternate or reciprocating motion; to operate; to act; as, the fountain plays.

7. (n.) To move gayly; to wanton; to disport.

8. (n.) To act on the stage; to personate a character.

9. (v. t.) To put in action or motion; as, to play cannon upon a fortification; to play a trump.

10. (v. t.) To perform music upon; as, to play the flute or the organ.

11. (v. t.) To perform, as a piece of music, on an instrument; as, to play a waltz on the violin.

12. (v. t.) To bring into sportive or wanton action; to exhibit in action; to execute; as, to play tricks.

13. (v. t.) To act or perform (a play); to represent in music action; as, to play a comedy; also, to act in the character of; to represent by acting; to simulate; to behave like; as, to play King Lear; to play the woman.

14. (v. t.) To engage in, or go together with, as a contest for amusement or for a wager or prize; as, to play a game at baseball.

15. (v. t.) To keep in play, as a hooked fish, in order to land it.

16. (n.) Amusement; sport; frolic; gambols.

17. (n.) Any exercise, or series of actions, intended for amusement or diversion; a game.

18. (n.) The act or practice of contending for victory, amusement, or a prize, as at dice, cards, or billiards; gaming; as, to lose a fortune in play.

19. (n.) Action; use; employment; exercise; practice; as, fair play; sword play; a play of wit.

20. (n.) A dramatic composition; a comedy or tragedy; a composition in which characters are represented by dialogue and action.

21. (n.) The representation or exhibition of a comedy or tragedy; as, he attends ever play.

22. (n.) Performance on an instrument of music.

23. (n.) Motion; movement, regular or irregular; as, the play of a wheel or piston; hence, also, room for motion; free and easy action.

24. (n.) Hence, liberty of acting; room for enlargement or display; scope; as, to give full play to mirth.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

PLAY

pla.

See GAMES.

Greek

3815. paizo -- to play as a child
... to play as a child. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: paizo Phonetic Spelling:
(paheed'-zo) Short Definition: I play, sport Definition: I play, sport ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3815.htm - 6k

832. auleo -- to play on a flute
... to play on a flute. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: auleo Phonetic Spelling:
(ow-leh'-o) Short Definition: I play the flute, pipe Definition: I play the ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/832.htm - 6k

2789. kitharizo -- to play on the lyre
... to play on the lyre. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: kitharizo Phonetic Spelling:
(kith-ar-id'-zo) Short Definition: I play on the harp Definition: intrans ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2789.htm - 6k

5567. psallo -- to pull, twitch, twang, play, sing
... to pull, twitch, twang, play, sing. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: psallo
Phonetic Spelling: (psal'-lo) Short Definition: I sing psalms Definition: I sing ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5567.htm - 7k

4942. sunupokrinomai -- to play a part with
... to play a part with. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: sunupokrinomai Phonetic
Spelling: (soon-oo-pok-rin'-om-ahee) Short Definition: I dissemble with ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4942.htm - 6k

407. andrizo -- to behave like a man, to play the man
... to behave like a man, to play the man. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: andrizo
Phonetic Spelling: (an-drid'-zom-ahee) Short Definition: I act like a man ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/407.htm - 7k

4135. plerophoreo -- to bring in full measure, to fulfill
... to bring in full measure, to fulfill. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: plerophoreo
Phonetic Spelling: (play-rof-or-eh'-o) Short Definition: I carry out ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4135.htm - 8k

4134. pleres -- full
... full. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: pleres Phonetic Spelling:
(play'-race) Short Definition: full Definition: full, abounding in, complete ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4134.htm - 7k

4129. plethuno -- to increase, to be increased
... to increase, to be increased. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: plethuno Phonetic
Spelling: (play-thoo'-no) Short Definition: I increase, multiply Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4129.htm - 7k

4136. plerophoria -- full assurance
... full assurance. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: plerophoria Phonetic
Spelling: (play-rof-or-ee'-ah) Short Definition: full assurance Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4136.htm - 7k

Strong's Hebrew

5059. nagan -- to touch or play a stringed instrument
... nagan. 5060 . to touch or play a stringed instrument. Transliteration: nagan Phonetic
Spelling: (naw-gan') Short Definition: play. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/5059.htm - 6k

2490b. chalal -- to play the pipe, to pipe
... 2490a, 2490b. chalal. 2490c . to play the pipe, to pipe. Transliteration:
chalal Short Definition: flutes. Word Origin denominative ...
/hebrew/2490b.htm - 5k

5953c. alal -- to act or play the child
... 5953b, 5953c. alal. 5953d . to act or play the child. Transliteration:
alal Short Definition: children. Word Origin denominative ...
/hebrew/5953c.htm - 5k

2181. zanah -- to commit fornication, be a harlot
... 1), harlot (22), harlot continually (1), harlot's (2), harlot's* (2), harlot* (3),
harlotry (3), harlots (5), making her a harlot (1), play the harlot (18 ...
/hebrew/2181.htm - 6k

7832. sachaq -- to laugh
... 2), celebrating (3), hold a contest (1), joking (1), laugh (6), laughed them to
scorn (1), laughs (6), merrymakers (2), mock (1), mocked (1), play (2), played ...
/hebrew/7832.htm - 6k

8608. taphaph -- to sound the timbrel, beat
... taber, play with timbrels. A primitive root; to drum, ie Play (as) on the tambourine --
taber, play with timbrels. 8607, 8608. taphaph. 8609 . ...
/hebrew/8608.htm - 6k

6711. tsachaq -- to laugh
... root Definition to laugh NASB Word Usage caressing (1), entertained* (1), jesting
(1), laugh (4), laughed (2), make sport (2), mocking (1), play (1). ...
/hebrew/6711.htm - 6k

7696. shaga -- to be mad
... play the mad man. A primitive root; to rave through insanity -- (be, play the)
mad (man). 7695, 7696. shaga. 7697 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/7696.htm - 6k

5528. sakal -- to be foolish or a fool
... be silly, play the fool. For kacal; to be silly -- do (make, play the, turn into)
fool(-ish, -ishly, -ishness). see HEBREW kacal. 5527b, 5528. sakal. 5529 ...
/hebrew/5528.htm - 6k

2388. chazaq -- to be or grow firm or strong, strengthen
... take) courage(-ous, -ly), encourage (self), be established, fasten, force, fortify,
make hard, harden, help, (lay) hold (fast), lean, maintain, play the man ...
/hebrew/2388.htm - 8k

Library

Innocent Play.
... Innocent Play. ... 2 If we had been ducks, we might dabble in mud: Or dogs, we might
play till it ended in blood; So foul, or so fierce are their natures. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watts/divine songs for children/innocent play.htm

Song 2. Innocent Play.
... Divine Songs Song 2. Innocent play. Innocent play. 11,11,8,11,11,8. ... When they play
all in love, without anger or rage,. How much may we learn from the sight. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watts/divine and moral songs/song 2 innocent play.htm

Whether There Can be Sin in the Excess of Play?
... OF MODESTY AS CONSISTING IN THE OUTWARD MOVEMENTS OF THE BODY (FOUR ARTICLES)
Whether there can be sin in the excess of play? Objection ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether there can be sin 2.htm

First Part of the Subject, Touching the Constitution of the ...
... First Part of the Subject, Touching the Constitution of the Pleroma, Briefly
Recapitulated Transition to the Other Part, Which is Like a Play Outside the ...
/.../tertullian/against the valentinians/chapter xiii first part of the.htm

Concerning the Hatred of Learning, the Love of Play, and the Fear ...
... Book I. Chapter IX."Concerning the Hatred of Learning, the Love of Play, and the
Fear of Being Whipped Noticeable in Boys: and of the Folly of Our Elders and ...
/.../the confessions and letters of st/chapter ix concerning the hatred of.htm

No one at All, Whether Cleric or Layman, is from this Time Forward ...
... The Sixth Ecumenical Council. Canon L. No one at all, whether cleric or layman,
is from this time forward to play? ... A layman should not play at dice. ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon l no one at.htm

Ode on the Installation of the Duke of Devonshire, Chancellor of ...
... knowing she will sleep the sounder, Cheerier-hearted on the morrow Rise to grapple
care and sorrow, Grandly leads the dance adown, and joins the children's play ...
/.../kingsley/andromeda and other poems/ode on the installation of.htm

Morning Prayers.
... Amen. 9. I thank Thee, Lord, for sleep and rest, For all the things that I love
best, Now guide me through another day And bless my work and bless my play. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/little folded hands/morning prayers.htm

On Deck
... Boys and girls are always on deck, whether they are playing ball or not, for a boy
or girl never knows when he is going to be called upon to play some part in ...
/.../chidley/fifty-two story talks to boys and girls/on deck.htm

The Great Unknown Lack.
... Bull renewed his invitation, time and again, finally saying, "If you won't come,
I'll bring my violin down here to your shop, and play." "If you do," replied ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks with world winners/the great unknown lack.htm

Thesaurus

Play (61 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) To contend, or take part, in a game; as, to play ball; hence, to
gamble; as, he played for heavy stakes. 4. (n.) To perform ...
/p/play.htm - 28k

Frolic (3 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A wild prank; a flight of levity, or of gayety and mirth. 3. (n.) A scene
of gayety and mirth, as in lively play, or in dancing; a merrymaking. ...
/f/frolic.htm - 7k

Scene (3 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The structure on which a spectacle or play is exhibited; the part of a theater
in which the acting is done, with its adjuncts and decorations; the stage ...
/s/scene.htm - 8k

Playing (37 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Play. 2. (a. & vb. N.)
of Play. Multi-Version Concordance Playing (37 Occurrences). ...
/p/playing.htm - 18k

Prostitute (83 Occurrences)
... Exodus 34:15 "Don't make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, lest they
play the prostitute after their gods, and sacrifice to their gods, and one call ...
/p/prostitute.htm - 33k

Wanton (20 Occurrences)
... 7. (n.) A lewd person; a lascivious man or woman. 8. (vi) To rove and ramble without
restraint, rule, or limit; to revel; to play loosely; to frolic. ...
/w/wanton.htm - 13k

Astray (116 Occurrences)
... Exodus 34:15 lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and they
play the harlot after their gods, and sacrifice unto their gods, and one call ...
/a/astray.htm - 36k

Game (11 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) The use or practice of such a game; a single match at play; a single contest;
as, a game at cards. ... 12. (n.) To play at any sport or diversion. 13. ...
/g/game.htm - 10k

Indulge (12 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 10:7 Neither be idolaters, as some of them were. As it is written,
"The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play." (See NIV). ...
/i/indulge.htm - 10k

Thumb (7 Occurrences)
... See Pollex. 2. (vt) To handle awkwardly. 3. (vt) To play with the thumbs,
or with the thumbs and fingers; as, to thumb over a tune. ...
/t/thumb.htm - 10k

Resources

Should a Christian play Pokémon? Should a Christian play Yu-Gi-Oh!? | GotQuestions.org

Should a Christian play video games? | GotQuestions.org

Should a Christian prank / do pranks? Is it wrong to play a practical joke on someone? | GotQuestions.org

Play: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus

Concordance

Play (61 Occurrences)

1 Corinthians 10:7
Neither be idolaters, as some of them were. As it is written, "The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play."
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS)

Genesis 4:21
And his brother's name was Jubal: he was the father of all players on instruments of music.
(Root in BBE NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 19:9
And they said, Stand back. And they said, This one fellow came in to sojourn, and he will needs be a judge: now will we deal worse with thee, than with them. And they pressed sore upon the man, even Lot, and drew near to break the door.
(See JPS RSV NIV)

Genesis 39:14
that she calleth for the men of her house, and speaketh to them, saying, 'See, he hath brought in to us a man, a Hebrew, to play with us; he hath come in unto me, to lie with me, and I call with a loud voice,
(YLT)

Genesis 39:17
And she speaketh unto him according to these words, saying, 'The Hebrew servant whom thou hast brought unto us, hath come in unto me to play with me;
(YLT)

Exodus 32:6
They rose up early on the next day, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.
(WEB KJV ASV WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Exodus 34:15
"Don't make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, lest they play the prostitute after their gods, and sacrifice to their gods, and one call you and you eat of his sacrifice;
(WEB ASV NAS RSV)

Exodus 34:16
and you take of their daughters to your sons, and their daughters play the prostitute after their gods, and make your sons play the prostitute after their gods.
(WEB ASV NAS RSV)

Leviticus 17:7
They shall no more sacrifice their sacrifices to the goat idols, after which they play the prostitute. This shall be a statute forever to them throughout their generations.'
(WEB ASV NAS RSV)

Leviticus 20:5
then I will set my face against that man, and against his family, and will cut him off, and all who play the prostitute after him, to play the prostitute with Molech, from among their people.
(WEB ASV NAS RSV)

Leviticus 20:6
"'The person that turns to those who are mediums, and to the wizards, to play the prostitute after them, I will even set my face against that person, and will cut him off from among his people.
(WEB ASV NAS RSV)

Numbers 15:39
and it shall be to you for a fringe, that you may look on it, and remember all the commandments of Yahweh, and do them; and that you not follow after your own heart and your own eyes, after which you use to play the prostitute;
(WEB ASV NAS)

Numbers 25:1
Israel abode in Shittim; and the people began to play the prostitute with the daughters of Moab:
(WEB ASV NAS RSV)

Deuteronomy 22:21
then they shall bring out the young lady to the door of her father's house, and the men of her city shall stone her to death with stones, because she has done folly in Israel, to play the prostitute in her father's house: so you shall put away the evil from the midst of you.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV NAS RSV)

Deuteronomy 31:16
Yahweh said to Moses, "Behold, you shall sleep with your fathers; and this people will rise up, and play the prostitute after the strange gods of the land, where they go to be among them, and will forsake me, and break my covenant which I have made with them.
(WEB ASV NAS RSV)

Judges 16:25
And it cometh to pass, when their heart 'is' glad, that they say, 'Call for Samson, and he doth play before us;' and they call for Samson out of the prison-house, and he playeth before them, and they cause him to stand between the pillars.
(YLT)

1 Samuel 16:16
Let our lord now command your servants who are before you, to seek out a man who is a skillful player on the harp. It shall happen, when the evil spirit from God is on you, that he shall play with his hand, and you shall be well."
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Samuel 16:17
Saul said to his servants, "Provide me now a man who can play well, and bring him to me."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Samuel 16:18
Then one of the young men answered, and said, "Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a mighty man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a comely person; and Yahweh is with him."
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV NIV)

1 Samuel 16:23
It happened, when the evil spirit from God was on Saul, that David took the harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Samuel 18:7
The women sang one to another as they played, and said, "Saul has slain his thousands, David his ten thousands."
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS)

1 Samuel 21:15
Do I lack madmen, that you have brought this fellow to play the madman in my presence? Shall this fellow come into my house?"
(WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS RSV)

2 Samuel 2:14
Abner said to Joab, "Please let the young men arise and play before us!" Joab said, "Let them arise!"
(WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS YLT RSV)

2 Samuel 6:21
And David said unto Michal, It was before the LORD, which chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel: therefore will I play before the LORD.
(KJV ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT)

2 Samuel 10:12
Be of good courage, and let us play the men for our people, and for the cities of our God: and the LORD do that which seemeth him good.
(KJV ASV WBS RSV)

1 Chronicles 15:16
David spoke to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brothers the singers, with instruments of music, stringed instruments and harps and cymbals, sounding aloud and lifting up the voice with joy.
(See RSV)

1 Chronicles 15:20
and Zechariah, and Aziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, and Eliab, and Maaseiah, and Benaiah, with stringed instruments set to Alamoth;
(See RSV NIV)

1 Chronicles 15:21
and Mattithiah, and Eliphelehu, and Mikneiah, and Obed-Edom, and Jeiel, and Azaziah, with harps tuned to the eight-stringed lyre, to lead.
(See NIV)

1 Chronicles 16:5
Asaph the chief, and second to him Zechariah, Jeiel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Mattithiah, and Eliab, and Benaiah, and Obed-Edom, and Jeiel, with stringed instruments and with harps; and Asaph with cymbals, sounding aloud;
(See NAS RSV NIV)

1 Chronicles 19:13
Be of good courage, and let us play the man for our people, and for the cities of our God: and Jehovah do that which seemeth him good.
(ASV RSV)

2 Chronicles 21:11
Moreover he made high places in the mountains of Judah, and made the inhabitants of Jerusalem to play the prostitute, and led Judah astray.
(WEB ASV NAS)

2 Chronicles 21:13
but have walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and have made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to play the prostitute, like as the house of Ahab did, and also have slain your brothers of your father's house, who were better than yourself:
(WEB ASV NAS)

Job 40:20
Surely the mountains produce food for him, where all the animals of the field play.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Job 41:5
Will you play with him as with a bird? Or will you bind him for your girls?
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Psalms 33:3
Sing to him a new song. Play skillfully with a shout of joy!
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 69:12
Those sitting at the gate meditate concerning me, And those drinking strong drink, Play on instruments.
(YLT)

Psalms 73:27
For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: Thou hast destroyed all them that play the harlot, 'departing' from thee.
(ASV)

Psalms 81:2
Take up the melody, playing on an instrument of music, even on corded instruments.
(Root in BBE NIV)

Psalms 87:7
As well the singers as the players on instruments shall be there: all my springs are in thee.
(Root in KJV BBE WBS YLT NAS)

Psalms 104:26
There the ships go, and leviathan, whom you formed to play there.
(WEB KJV ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT)

Psalms 144:9
I will make a new song to you, O God; I will make melody to you on an instrument of ten cords.
(See RSV)

Proverbs 10:23
To execute inventions 'is' as play to a fool, And wisdom to a man of understanding.
(YLT)

Isaiah 11:8
The nursing child will play near a cobra's hole, and the weaned child will put his hand on the viper's den.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Isaiah 23:16
Take a harp, go round the city, O forgotten harlot, play well, Multiply song that thou mayest be remembered.
(YLT NIV)

Isaiah 23:17
It will happen after the end of seventy years that Yahweh will visit Tyre, and she shall return to her wages, and will play the prostitute with all the kingdoms of the world on the surface of the earth.
(WEB ASV NAS RSV)

Isaiah 38:20
Jehovah was purposed to save me. And we will play upon my stringed instruments all the days of our life, in the house of Jehovah.
(DBY NAS)

Ezekiel 6:9
Those of you that escape shall remember me among the nations where they shall be carried captive, how that I have been broken with their lewd heart, which has departed from me, and with their eyes, which play the prostitute after their idols: and they shall loathe themselves in their own sight for the evils which they have committed in all their abominations.
(WEB ASV NAS)

Ezekiel 16:15
But you trusted in your beauty, and played the prostitute because of your renown, and poured out your prostitution on everyone who passed by; his it was.
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV)

Ezekiel 16:16
You took of your garments, and made for yourselves high places decked with various colors, and played the prostitute on them: the like things shall not come, neither shall it be so.
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV)

Ezekiel 16:17
You also took your beautiful jewels of my gold and of my silver, which I had given you, and made for yourself images of men, and played the prostitute with them;
(Root in WEB JPS ASV NAS RSV)

Ezekiel 16:34
You are different from other women in your prostitution, in that no one follows you to play the prostitute; and whereas you give hire, and no hire is given to you, therefore you are different.
(WEB ASV NAS RSV)

Ezekiel 20:30
Therefore tell the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord Yahweh: Do you pollute yourselves after the manner of your fathers? and do you play the prostitute after their abominations?
(WEB ASV NAS)

Ezekiel 23:43
Then said I of her who was old in adulteries, Now will they play the prostitute with her, and she with them.
(WEB ASV)

Ezekiel 33:32
Behold, you are to them as a very lovely song of one who has a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument; for they hear your words, but they don't do them.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Hosea 3:3
I said to her, "You shall stay with me many days. You shall not play the prostitute, and you shall not be with any other man. I will also be so toward you."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV)

Hosea 4:10
They will eat, and not have enough. They will play the prostitute, and will not increase; because they have abandoned giving to Yahweh.
(WEB ASV NAS RSV)

Hosea 4:12
My people ask counsel at their stock, and their staff declareth unto them; for the spirit of whoredom hath caused them to err, and they have played the harlot, 'departing' from under their God.
(Root in ASV NAS RSV)

Hosea 4:13
They sacrifice on the tops of the mountains, and burn incense on the hills, under oaks and poplars and terebinths, because its shade is good. Therefore your daughters play the prostitute, and your brides commit adultery.
(WEB ASV DBY NAS RSV)

Hosea 4:14
I will not punish your daughters when they play the prostitute, nor your brides when they commit adultery; because the men consort with prostitutes, and they sacrifice with the shrine prostitutes; so the people without understanding will come to ruin.
(WEB ASV DBY NAS RSV)

Hosea 4:15
"Though you, Israel, play the prostitute, yet don't let Judah offend; and don't come to Gilgal, neither go up to Beth Aven, nor swear,'As Yahweh lives.'
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV)

Hosea 4:18
Their drink has become sour. They play the prostitute continually. Her rulers dearly love their shameful way.
(WEB ASV NAS)

Subtopics

Play

Related Terms

Prostitution (48 Occurrences)

Prostituted (6 Occurrences)

Prostitute (83 Occurrences)

Whore (14 Occurrences)

Flute (16 Occurrences)

Assyrians (15 Occurrences)

Fir (22 Occurrences)

Play (61 Occurrences)