Though a common epithet for homosexuals in modern usage, the term “sodomite” in the King James Version of the Bible means neither “a resident of Sodom” nor “a homosexual” (in the modern way of thinking). Yet, if it doesn’t mean this, what does the term mean?
The term “sodomite” appears six times in the Bible: at Deuteronomy 23:17; 1 Kings 14:24; 15:12; 22:46; 23:7; and Job 36:14. These verses do not tell us much about who the “sodomites” were or what they were guilty of. We are simply told that they were in the land of Israel and that certain Judahite kings (such as Asa) did what they could to get rid of them.
These verses from the kjv have been used to create that pejorative term which we all know, but the term actually translates the word קָדֵשׁ kadesh [qāḏēš] from the root קד״שׁ kuf-dalet-shin that is the basis for all the words related to holiness in the Hebrew Bible.
Wait a minute! Why would the word קָדֵשׁ kadesh [qāḏēš], translated as “sodomite” in the kjv, be directly related to the words “holy” קָדשׁ kadosh [qāḏōš] and “holiness” קֹדֶשׁ kodesh [qṓḏeš]?
Back in those days, sexuality was used in temple services throughout the region. The Greeks had Aphrodite (Ἀφροδίτη) and Eros (Ἔρως), who represented sexuality through shrine or temple prostitution as much as they did love. The Canaanite tribes also had temple prostitution in their religious rites, which took place in shrines throughout the land. Gesenius had the following to say about kadesh in his lexicon:
The feminine form of kadesh (that is, קְדֵשָׁה k’desha [qᵉḏēšâ]) appears an additional four times in the Bible: Genesis 38:21, 22; Deuteronomy 23:17; and Hosea 4:14. If it is clear in these verses that k’desha refers to female shrine prostitute, it is a problem that the kjv renders the masculine version as “sodomite.” It should be translated, like the niv has done, as “male shrine prostitute” or something similar.
It is unfortunate that “sodomite” today means “homosexual,” whereas the term used in the Bible means “shrine prostitute,” irrelevant of the gender of the person to whom the temple service was provided. If a man went to the temple, he could sleep with a kadesh or a k’desha. Similarly, if a woman went to the temple, she could sleep with either a kadesh or a k’desha. There is nothing in the term to tell us who they provided service for.
The word does not mean “homosexual.” Therefore, the use of these verses against homosexuals is certainly out of place. What the Bible specifically forbids in these verses is the use of sex in service of God. We are told that Israelite men and women must not serve as קְדֵשִׁים k’deshim [qᵉḏēšîm] (plural of kadesh) or קְדֵשׁוֹת k’deshot [qᵉḏēšôṯ] (plural of k’desha) in service of Yahweh – and especially not in service of other gods. We are also told that any money earned from such practices must be refused for Yahweh’s service. This is what is forbidden by the word translated as “sodomite” in the King James.
Contributor: Jason (ג׳ייסון)
The term “sodomite” appears six times in the Bible: at Deuteronomy 23:17; 1 Kings 14:24; 15:12; 22:46; 23:7; and Job 36:14. These verses do not tell us much about who the “sodomites” were or what they were guilty of. We are simply told that they were in the land of Israel and that certain Judahite kings (such as Asa) did what they could to get rid of them.
And [Asa] took away the sodomites out of the land, and removed all the idols that his fathers had made. (1 Kings 15:12, kjv)
These verses from the kjv have been used to create that pejorative term which we all know, but the term actually translates the word קָדֵשׁ kadesh [qāḏēš] from the root קד״שׁ kuf-dalet-shin that is the basis for all the words related to holiness in the Hebrew Bible.
Wait a minute! Why would the word קָדֵשׁ kadesh [qāḏēš], translated as “sodomite” in the kjv, be directly related to the words “holy” קָדשׁ kadosh [qāḏōš] and “holiness” קֹדֶשׁ kodesh [qṓḏeš]?
Back in those days, sexuality was used in temple services throughout the region. The Greeks had Aphrodite (Ἀφροδίτη) and Eros (Ἔρως), who represented sexuality through shrine or temple prostitution as much as they did love. The Canaanite tribes also had temple prostitution in their religious rites, which took place in shrines throughout the land. Gesenius had the following to say about kadesh in his lexicon:
קָדֵשׁ m[asculine].—(1) a sodomite, pr[operly]. consecrated, s[pe]c[ifically]. to Astarte or Venus, and prostituting himself in her honour, Deut. 23:18; 1 Ki. 14:24; 15:12; 22:47; Job 36:14. Fem[inine]. קְדֵשָׁה consecrated (to Venus), hence a harlot, Gen. 38:21, 22; Deu. 23:18; Hos. 4:14. As to the libidinous worship of Venus amongst the Babylonians, see Lucian, De Dea Syra; compare Nu. 25:1, seqq.
The feminine form of kadesh (that is, קְדֵשָׁה k’desha [qᵉḏēšâ]) appears an additional four times in the Bible: Genesis 38:21, 22; Deuteronomy 23:17; and Hosea 4:14. If it is clear in these verses that k’desha refers to female shrine prostitute, it is a problem that the kjv renders the masculine version as “sodomite.” It should be translated, like the niv has done, as “male shrine prostitute” or something similar.
It is unfortunate that “sodomite” today means “homosexual,” whereas the term used in the Bible means “shrine prostitute,” irrelevant of the gender of the person to whom the temple service was provided. If a man went to the temple, he could sleep with a kadesh or a k’desha. Similarly, if a woman went to the temple, she could sleep with either a kadesh or a k’desha. There is nothing in the term to tell us who they provided service for.
The word does not mean “homosexual.” Therefore, the use of these verses against homosexuals is certainly out of place. What the Bible specifically forbids in these verses is the use of sex in service of God. We are told that Israelite men and women must not serve as קְדֵשִׁים k’deshim [qᵉḏēšîm] (plural of kadesh) or קְדֵשׁוֹת k’deshot [qᵉḏēšôṯ] (plural of k’desha) in service of Yahweh – and especially not in service of other gods. We are also told that any money earned from such practices must be refused for Yahweh’s service. This is what is forbidden by the word translated as “sodomite” in the King James.
Contributor: Jason (ג׳ייסון)
Very good information to have...Thank you.
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