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Brothel Houses + false religion
Friday, March 27, 2009
Did you ever read Ezekiel 16? Its a very interesting chapter because it explains what the sin of Sodom really was.
Oddly enough, according to the Bible, the sin of Sodom was not homosexuality.
Ezekiel16:24
"You have built also for yourself a vaulted chamber (brothel) and have made a high place [of idol worship] in every street." - Ezekiel 16:24, - The Amplified Version"That thou didst also build thee a common stew, and madest thee a brothel house in every street." - Douay-Rheims
"That thou didst build thee a brothel, - and didst make thee a height in every broadway:" - Rotherham's Emphasized Bible
"that thou didst also build unto thee a place of debauchery, and didst make thee a high place in every street:" - Darby Translation
"thou hast buylded thy stewes and brodel houses in euery place: yee at the heade of euery strete" - Miles Coverdale Bible, 1535
"And thou bildidist to thee a bordel hous, and madist to thee a place of hordom in alle stretis." - Wycliffe Bible, 1395
Ezekiel 16:24, 31, 39 - the Hebrew word, gab, carries the meaning of "brothel house," a place where harlots prostituted themselves, according to Gesenius's Lexicon.
God's prophet Ezekiel, under inspiration, links the brothel house to worship of false gods.
This is important because of controversy over the meaning of Genesis 19 and Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13.
Some Christians believe Genesis 19 and Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13 proclaim God's wrath against all homosexuals.
In my opinion, the more thoughtful and scriptural view is that Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13 only prohibit male same sex activity in worship of the Canaanite fertility goddess rather than being a universal prohibition of gay and lesbian partnerships.
Ezekiel sheds light on the issue by pointing out that Israelites who forsook worship of the true God combined their false worship with sexual activity in brothel houses.
That fits with the historical understanding that Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13 refer to ancient shrine prostitution, not homosexual partnerships which are committed, faithful, non-cultic.
2 comments:
I think that your post, while well-intentioned, misinterprets the significance of verse 24. Although, as you say, verse 24 links the brothel house to worship of false gods, this link is only grammatical and verse 31 makes it clear that these are two distinct things.
I see nothing in the chapter to back up your statement that “Ezekiel sheds light on the issue by pointing out that Israelites who forsook worship of the true God combined their false worship with sexual activity in brothel houses”.
Your post concludes “…. the historical understanding that Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13 refer to ancient shrine prostitution, not homosexual partnerships which are committed, faithful, non-cultic”.
There are a number of reasons why these verses do not refer to ancient shrine prostitution only. The main one is that the verses’ prohibition on sex between men is not explicitly stated as applying only in idol worshipping ceremonies (with or without prostitution). Therefore it is more logical to assume that the prohibition applies whether or not idolatry or prostitution is involved. This topic and other aspects of the Leviticus verses are discussed further in http://www.gaysandslaves.com/lev_details.html. The site also shows why the Leviticus prohibition and similar Bible passages do not apply to men today.
Raycol-
Thanks for the interesting comment.
Since you made an important point, I felt it warranted an answer in the main blog so I answered you there.
Rick
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