Deuteronomy 23:18

"There shall be no prostitute of the daughters of Israel, neither shall there be a sodomite of the sons of Israel."

Key Reflection

Deuteronomy 23:18 in the Deuteronomic code outlines strict moral standards for the Israelites, prohibiting certain practices deemed unclean or immoral. Specifically, it forbids prostitution among the daughters of Israel and homosexuality (often referred to as "sodomite" in translations) among the sons. These prohibitions reflect the purity laws aimed at maintaining social and religious integrity within the community, aligning with broader biblical themes of holiness and separation from surrounding cultures known for such practices.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Another Gentile practice, connected with the one alluded to in the preceding verse, is here forbidden. The word “dog” is figurative (compareRevelation 22:15), and equivalent to the “sodomite” of the verse preceding.

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