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 .

prostitute oneself / play the prostitute

The Hebrew that is translated as “prostitute oneself” or “play the prostitute” in English is translated in Vidunda as “(practice) sexual immorality.” (Source: Pioneer Bible Translators, project-specific translation notes in Paratext)

complete verse (Leviticus 19:29)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Leviticus 19:29:

  • Kupsabiny: “Do (sing.) bring shame to your daughter by giving her to be a prostitute belonging to men who are worshipping idols so that prostitutes fill the country and your sins/evil deeds become many.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “’Do not make your daughters defiled by making them prostitutes. Otherwise, all over the land it will be full of prostitution. Then the land will be full of sin. ” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “[You (plur.)] do- not -put-to-shame your (plur.) female children by-means-of forcing them to-sell their honor, for this could-influence your place/(community) and the wickedness will-spread.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “‘o not disgrace your daughters by forcing them to become prostitutes. If you cause them to become prostitutes, soon the land will be filled with prostitutes and all other kinds of people’s wicked behavior.” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Leviticus 19:29

Profane: in this context this word clearly means “to disgrace.” See verse 12, and compare also 18.21, where it is used of God.

Daughter: since the plural pronouns are being used throughout this section, it may be necessary to change the singular daughter to a plural, as in Good News Translation.

A harlot: or “a religious prostitute.” In some neighboring religions, people thought they were being pious by making their daughters participate in the cult of fertility. But such religious prostitution was not acceptable for the Israelites. In translation it is probably a good idea to bring out the religious nature of this prostitution, as is done in Good News Translation. Compare 17.7.

Lest: this may be better translated “if you do…,” as in Good News Translation.

Fall into harlotry: this is translated by Good News Translation as “turn to other gods,” thus taking it as a figurative expression indicating unfaithfulness to God. See comments on a similar expression in 17.7.

Wickedness: see 18.17.

Quoted with permission from Péter-Contesse, René and Ellington, John. A Handbook on Leviticus. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1990. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .