prostitute

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The Greek, Latin, and Hebrew that is typically translated as “prostitute” in English (in some, mostly earlier translation also as “harlot” or “whore”) is translated in the 2024 revision of the inter-confessional Latvian Jauna Pārstrādāta latviešu Bībele as netikle or “hussy.” This replaced the previous translation mauka or “whore.” Nikita Andrejevs, editor of the Bible explains the previous and current translations: “The translators at the time felt that this strong word best described the thought contained in the main text. Many had objections, as it seemed that this word would not be the most appropriate for public reading in church.” (Source: Updated Bible published in Latvia ).

Other translations include:

  • Bariai: “a woman of the road” (source: Bariai Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “a woman who sells her body” (source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • Uma: “a woman whose behavior is not appropriate” or “a loose woman” (source: Uma Back Translation)
  • Yakan: “a bad woman” (source: Yakan Back Translation)
  • Western Bukidnon Manobo: “a woman who make money through their reputation” (source: Western Bukidnon Manobo Back Translation)
  • Tagbanwa: “a woman who makes money with her body” (source: Tagbanwa Back Translation)
  • Kankanaey: “a woman whose womanhood is repeatedly-bought” (source: Kankanaey Back Translation)

See also Translation commentary on Genesis 34:31, Rahab, and prostitute oneself / play the prostitute.

Learn more on Bible Odyssey: Prostitution in the Bible .

Translation commentary on 2 Esdras 15:55

The reward of a harlot is in your bosom: For The reward of a harlot, compare Deut 23.18 and Micah 1.7. For the Latin word rendered bosom (sinus), see the comments on verse 22. In this context bosom does not have a physical reference, nor is it a metaphor for “heart.” Here bosom may be translated “purse,” so a possible model for this clause is “Your reward as a prostitute is in your purse.” The idea here is that Asia has accepted pay for her services as a prostitute. Good News Bible has “You will be paid for your work as a prostitute,” or we may say “You worked as a prostitute to earn the money you have.”

Therefore you shall receive your recompense: Because Asia has accepted pay for her services, she will also be paid with what she deserves, which is described in the next few verses.

Here is an alternative model for this verse:

• You worked as a prostitute to earn the money you have, but you are going to get what you really deserve for that.

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on 1-2 Esdras. (UBS Helps for Translators). Miami: UBS, 2019. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.