The Book of Isaiah

Sodom Gomorrah

Unless the LORD Almighty had left us some survivors, we would have become like Sodom, we would have been like Gomorrah. (Isaiah 1:9)

Idols

Genitalia

Their land is full of idols; they bow down to the work of their hands, to what their fingers have made. (Isaiah 2:8)

Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. (Genitalia = feet) (Isaiah 6:2)

Virgin

Conceive

Give Birth

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virginwill conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14)

Asherah Poles

They will not look to the altars, the work of their hands, and they will have no regard for the Asherah polesand the incense altars their fingers have made. (Isaiah 17:8)

By this, then, will Jacob’s guilt be atoned for, and this will be the full fruit of the removal of his sin: When he makes all the altar stones to be like limestone crushed to pieces, no Asherah poles or incense altars will be left standing. (Isaiah 27:9)

Idols

Images

Menstrual Cloth

Then you will desecrate your idols overlaid with silver and your images covered with gold; you will throw them away like a menstrual cloth and say to them, “Away with you!” (Isaiah 30:22)

Menstrual cloth is the Hebrew term DIH, pronounced dah-WHEY. (Strong, H1739) 

Begotten

Brought to Birth

Woe to the one who says to a father, ‘What have you begotten?’ or to a mother, ‘What have you brought to birth?’ (Isaiah 45:10)

Virgin

Go down, sit in the dust, Virgin Daughter Babylon; sit on the ground without a throne, queen city of the Babylonians. No more will you be called tender or delicate. (Isaiah 47:1)

Tools

Nakedness

Shame

Your nakedness will be exposed and your shame uncovered. I will take vengeance; I will spare no one.” (Isaiah 47:3)

Womb

And now the LORD says— he who formed me in the womb to be his servant to bring Jacob back to him and gather Israel to himself, for I am honored in the eyes of the LORD and my God has been my strength— (Isaiah 49:5)

Infertile

Labor

Bear a Child

Sing, barren woman, you who never bore a child; burst into song, shout for joy, you who were never in labor; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband. (Isaiah 54:1)

Eunuch Intersexual

Covenant

For this is what the LORD says: “To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, who choose what pleases me and hold fast to my covenant— to them I will give within my temple and its walls a memorial and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that will endure forever. (Isaiah 56:4-5)

Adulterer 

Sacred Sex Trade Worker

“But you—come here, you children of a sorceress, you offspring of adulterers (NAF) and prostitutes! (ZNH) (Isaiah 57:3)

Burn with Lust

You burn with lust (HMM) among the oaks and under every spreading tree; you sacrifice your children in the ravines and under the overhanging crags. (Isaiah 57:5) r H2552 

Perhaps the Gehenna, Valley of hinnom.

matches the Hebrew חָמַם (ḥāmam),
which occurs 13 times in 12 verses in the WLC Hebrew. Range of meaning body warmth to the passion of intercourse.

Idols

The idols among the smooth stones of the ravines are your portion; indeed, they are your lot. Yes, to them you have poured out drink offerings and offered grain offerings. In view of all this, should I relent? (Isaiah 57:6)

A High Place for the Sacred Sex Trade

You have made your bed on a high and lofty hill; there you went up to offer your sacrifices. (Isaiah 57:7)

Uncovered Bed

Lust

Naked Bodies

Behind your doors and your doorposts you have put your pagan symbols. Forsaking me, you uncovered your bed, you climbed into it and opened it wide; you made a pact with those whose beds you love, and you looked with lust on their naked bodies. (Isaiah 57:8)

Molek

You went to Molek with olive oil and increased your perfumes. You sent your ambassadors far away; you descended to the very realm of the dead! (Isaiah 57:9)

Bridegroom

Bride

As a young man marries a young woman, so will your Builder marry you; as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you. (Isaiah 62:5)

Summary

The first two sexual health terms of Isaiah begin with both foreboding and catastrophic judgement scenes of sexual violence. Sodom and Gomorrah fit the prophet’s prediction of Israel’s downfall and exile to Babylon in 586 BCE. (Isaiah 1:9) The cause of the collapse of their civilization and loss of identity-idolatry and the sex trafficking of humans for profit.  The next term Isaiah uses  is idols in Isaiah 2:8.  Idolatry again dovetails with the erotic violence and addictive quality of the sacred sex trade. Other images for addiction or idolatry in Isaiah are: 

Asherah poles, high place like a hill, oaks, trees and Molek. The Asherah poles were perhaps images of erect male genitalia whether literal or figurative.  These poles most likely signaled the location of shrines build on high places and under trees. Molek is the deity of whom noted for child sacrifice and sex trafficking humans for profit places of worship.

Spiritual intimacy and sexual health merge in Isaiah 6:2. 

Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. (Genitalia = feet) (Isaiah 6:2)

It seems reasonable the winged burning ones, seraphim, covered their faces and genitals rather than literal feet. The Hebrew word REH-ghel, feet, can mean genitalia. 

Isaiah uses seven gynecological terms in his work spanning, virgin, conceive, give birth, menstrual cloth, womb, infertile, and labor. Menstrual cloth is the singular occurrence of this term in the entire Bible. Women’s health terms include the way of women, monthly cycle, flow of blood, discharge, and this hygiene term. Isaiah uses menstrual cloth to compare idolatry with the contamination by body fluid transfer like ejaculate, the blood of menses, and infectious discharge from both men and women. Infertile appears in a message of hope, Sing, barren woman, you who never bore a child; burst into song, shout for joy, you who were never in labor; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband. (Isaiah 54:1)

The use of sexual health positive terms for the prediction of the coming messiah. Isaiah 7:14. Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virginwill conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14)

Other sexual health positive terms are genitalia, feet, in Isaiah 6:2. Covenant, Eunuch, bride and groom, each are used for the intimacy of reconciliation. (Isaiah 56:4-5; 62:5)

Unhealthy sexuality images are nakedness and shame of Isaiah 47:3. Adultery and sacred sex trade worker are used in the same sentence in  Isaiah 57:3.  Burn with lust, matches the Hebrew חָמַם (ḥāmam),
which occurs 13 times in 12 verses in the WLC Hebrew. Range of meaning body warmth to the passion of intercourse. Uncovered Bed

Lust

Naked Bodies

Behind your doors and your doorposts you have put your pagan symbols. Forsaking me, you uncovered your bed, you climbed into it and opened it wide; you made a pact with those whose beds you love, and you looked with lust on their naked bodies. (Isaiah 57:8) 

Jeremiah and Sexual Health Vocabulary

Sexual Health Positive Terms

Womb, BE-ten 

Intimacy, YDA

Born, RE-chem 

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew (YDA) you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” (Jeremiah 1:5)

Virgin, buh-tue-LAH

Bride Wearing a Crown, ka-LAH

Bridegroom, chah-THAWN

Does a young woman forget her jewelry, a bride her wedding ornaments? Yet my people have forgotten me, days without number. (Jeremiah 2:32)

The first three sexual health terms of Jeremiah are womb, born, and virgin.  Womb is the

Hebrew term BE-ten. (Strong, H990). The word for born is the Hebrew phrase, “go out from the womb”.  This second term for womb is REH-chem. (Strong, H7358) This is the same root word for compassion or mercy, ra-CHAM. (Strong, H7355) Virgin and bride occur in Jeremiah 2:32-33, the Hebrew are buh-tue-LAH and kah-LAH. (Strong, H1330 and H3618) The word for virgin buh-tue-LAH  means a marriageable female who has not had sexual intercourse. The second term comes from  a root meaning to place a crown upon. (Strong, H3634) It seems that a woman is first a candidate for marriage, a virgin, and then becomes a bride who wears the wedding day crown or head dress.  Jeremiah also uses the bride and bridegroom (chah-THAWN) images in Jeremiah 16:9.

For this is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Before your eyes and in your days I will bring an end to the sounds of joy and gladness and to the voices of bride (kah-LAH) and bridegroom (cha-THAWN) in this place. (Jeremiah 16:9)

Sacred Sex Trade Worker, zah-NAH

Lover, ray-AH

Rape, shah-GALL

Prolific Participation in the Sex Trade, zah-NOOT

Forehead (may-TSACH) of a Sacred Sex Trade Worker (zah-NAH)

High Hill 

Spreading Tree

Adultery, zah-NAH

Immorality, COLE zah-NOOT

“If a man divorces his wife and she leaves him and marries another man, should he return to her again? Would not the land be completely defiled? But you have lived as a prostitute (zah-NAH)with many lovers (ray-AH)— would you now return to me?” 

Look up to the barren heights and see. Is there any place where you have not been ravished (shah-GALL)? By the roadside you sat waiting for lovers, sat like a nomad in the desert. You have defiled the land with your prostitution (zah-NOOT)and wickedness.

Therefore the showers have been withheld, and no spring rains have fallen. Yet you have the brazen look (may-TSACH) of a prostitute (zah-NAH); you refuse to blush with shame.

During the reign of King Josiah, the LORD said to me, “Have you seen what faithless Israel has done? She has gone up on every high (gah-bo-AH) hill (HAR)and under every spreading (rah-ah-NAWN) tree (EHTZ) and has committed adultery (zah-NAH) there.

I thought that after she had done all this she would return to me but she did not, and her unfaithful sister Judah saw it.

I gave faithless Israel her certificate of divorce and sent her away because of all her adulteries (nah-AWF). Yet I saw that her unfaithful sister Judah had no fear; she also went out and committed adultery (zah-NAH).

Because Israel’s immorality (COLE, zah-NOOT) mattered so little to her, she defiled the land and committed adultery with stone and wood.

In spite of all this, her unfaithful sister Judah did not return to me with all her heart, but only in pretense,” declares the LORD. (Jeremiah 3:1-10)

Ten sexual health terms and images appear in verses 1-10 of Jeremiah 3.  The root word for zah-NAH, sacred sex trade worker occurs six times. Six is often an image of evil and coercive sexuality.  The range of words for zah-NAH are sacred sex trade worker (zah-NAH), zah-NOOT meaning plural sex trade acts, and the verb zah-NAH to act out in the sacred sex trade. The word translated immorality in Hebrew is COLE zah-NOOT, the “sound” of plural sex trade acts. Another interesting term is “forehead of a sex trade worker” in Jeremiah 3:3.  The NIV translates this as “brazen look of a prostitute.” May-TSACH, forehead, is used 13 times in 10 verses of the Hebrew Old Testament. (Strong, H4696) The forehead is the Hebrew location of guilt, leprosy, the indication of stubbornness, defiance, and grief. The forehead of a sacred sex trade worker may mean that her look is overt guilt, defiance, trauma, and or grief. 

The spreading tree is most likely a place for the practice of the sacred sex trade. Strabo (64 BCE to 24 CE) the Greek historian remarked:

There is a custom prescribed by an oracle for all the Babylonian women to have intercourse with strangers. The women repair to a temple of Aphrodite, accompanied by numerous attendants and a crowd of people. Each woman has a cord round her head; the man approaches a woman, and places on her lap as much money as he thinks proper; he then leads her away to a distance from the sacred grove, and has intercourse with her. The money is regarded as consecrated to Aphrodite. (Strabo 16.1.20)

• Both the Medes and Armenians have adopted all the sacred rites of the Persians, but the Armenians pay particular reverence to Anaitis, and have built temples to her honor in several places, especially in Acilisene. They dedicate there to her service male and female slaves; in this there is nothing remarkable, but it is surprising that persons of the highest rank in the nation consecrate their virgin daughters to the goddess. It is customary for these women, after being prostituted for a long period at the temple of Anaitis, to be disposed of in marriage, no one disdaining a connection with such persons (καταπορνευθείσαις πολὺν χρόνον παρὰ τῇ θεῷ μετὰ ταῦτα δίδοσθαι πρὸς γάμον, οὐκ ἀπαξιοῦντος τῇ τοιαύτῃ συνοικεῖν οὐδενός). Herodotus mentions something similar respecting the Lydian women, all of whom prostitute themselves (πορνεύειν γὰρ ἁπάσας). But they treat their paramours with much kindness, they entertain them hospitably, and frequently make a return of more presents than they receive, being amply supplied with means derived from their wealthy connections. They do not admit into their dwellings accidental strangers, but prefer those of a rank equal to their own. (Strabo, 11.14.16) 

Jeremiah uses the words circumcise in chapter 4:4 and uncircumcised in chapter 9:26. Circumcise is the Hebrew term MOOL first appearing in the Genesis sexual health big picture of covenant (buh-REETH) with Abraham. MOOL occurs 36 times within 32 verses of the Hebrew Old Testament. (Strong, H3145)

This is my covenant (buh-REETH) with you and your descendants after you, the covenant you are to keep: Every male among you shall be circumcised (MOOL). (Genesis 17:10)

The word for uncircumcised is aw-RAIL. (Strong, H8169)  Jeremiah presses the case that Israel is as uncircumcised in heart as non Jewish nations. Deuteronomy first uses the phrase “circumcised in heart”. A circumcised heart is both humble and the path for loving God with heart and soul. 

Circumcise (MOOL) your hearts, therefore, and do not be stiff-necked any longer. (Deuteronomy 10:16)

The LORD your God will circumcise (MOOL) your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live. (Deuteronomy 30:6)

Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, circumcise (MOOL) your hearts, you people of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem, or my wrath will flare up and burn like fire because of the evil you have done— burn with no one to quench it. (Jeremiah 4:4)

“The days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will punish all who are circumcised (MOOL) only in the flesh—

Egypt, Judah, Edom, Ammon, Moab and all who live in the wilderness in distant places. For all these nations are really uncircumcised, and even the whole house of Israel is uncircumcised in heart.” (Jeremiah 9:25-26)

ah-GAWV, lovers

What are you doing, you devastated one? Why dress yourself in scarlet and put on jewels of gold? Why highlight your eyes with makeup? You adorn yourself in vain. Your lovers (ah-GAWV)despise you; they want to kill you. (Jeremiah 4:30)

Jeremiah uses two terms for lovers in his writings. The first is ray-AH found in Jeremiah 3:2. This word translates as lovers only once found at this location. All other 188 citations indicate a close community relationship or friend. The best translation may be close relationship rather than lover. (Strong H7453) The second term is ah-GAWV occurring 8 times in 7 verses meaning extreme affection or sexual desire. (Strong, H5689) 

Too

Houses (by-ITH) of Sacred Sex Trade Workers (zah-NAW)

Lusty Stallions, ZOON sue-SEEM

“Why should I forgive you? Your children have forsaken me and sworn by gods that are not gods. I supplied all their needs, yet they committed adultery (nah-AWF) and thronged to the houses (by-ITH) of prostitutes (zah-NAW).

Tools

They are well-fed, lusty stallions, each neighing for another man’s wife. (Jeremiah 5:7-8)

Jeremiah uses detailed terms for the trafficking of humans in chapter 5:7-8.  He laments that children have given their allegiance to false gods and sex trafficking.  Jeremiah then identifies the perpetrators of the sex trade as married adulterers.  He states these adulterers throng in crowds to the house (by-ITH) of sex trafficking (za-NAH). The prophet then adds another layer of detail, he compares the mob to well fed (ZOON) stallions (sue-SEEM) sexually aroused in heat for another man’s wife. (Strong, H2109) This image of seducing another man’s wife connects to his use of the word, adultery, which means two people in a sexual relationship. These partners are in a covenant of marriage with others. Other colorful phrases are pull up the skirts, lustful neighing, detestable sexual acts, and hills and in the fields.

I will pull up your skirts over your face that your shame may be seen. …your adulteries and lustful neighings, your shameless prostitution (zah-NAW)! I have seen your detestable acts on the hills and in the fields. Woe to you, Jerusalem! How long will you be unclean?” (Jeremiah 13:26-27)

Pull up your skirts is the Hebrew phrase chah-SAWF SHOOL. Pull up (chah-SAWF) occurs 11 times in 10 verses of he Hebrew Old Testament. It has a sense of “pulling off the bark” of a tree.  (Strong, H2834). Skirt, SHOOL, appears 11 times in 10 verses meaning skirt.  Lustful neighing (mitz-ha-LAH) appears only two times in the Hebrew Old Testament within the Book of Jeremiah. The prophet seems to enjoy comparing the sexual arousal of sex traffickers with horses in heat mating on the hills. (Strong, H4684) Detestable Sexual Acts is the Hebrew word zee-MAH occurring 29 times in the Hebrew Old Testament. Zee-MAH means heinous crimes like incest and forcing one’s daughter into sex trafficking. (Strong, H2154) Note the use of HLL in Leviticus 19:29 prohibiting coercing daughters into the sex trade. HLL is the untranslatable trigger word often indicating loss of intimacy with God and decline to unhealthy sexuality.

The snorting of the enemy’s horses is heard from Dan; at the neighing  (mitz-ha-LAH)of their stallions the whole land trembles. They have come to devour the land and everything in it, the city and all who live there. (Jeremiah 8:16)

…your adulteries and lustful neighings (mitz-ha-LAH), your shameless prostitution! I have seen your detestable acts on the hills and in the fields. Woe to you, Jerusalem! How long will you be unclean?” (Jeremiah 13:27)

Chapters 7-50 contain numerous images for the sacred sex trade.  Baal, other gods, Asherah poles, high hills, Molek, Valley of Ben Hinnom, Molek, Bel, and Marduk. 

Baal

Other Gods,  el-oh-HEEM ah-chah-REEM

“ Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal and follow other gods you have not known.” (Jeremiah 7:9)

Baal is the deity most cited in the Old Testament connecting to the sacred sex trade.  Baal appears 83 times in 79 verses of the Hebrew Old Testament. (Strong, H1167) Other gods appears 60 times in the Hebrew Old Testament. (BLB, other gods) The term other gods occurs as the first command in the decalogue of Exodus 20:3.

“You shall have noothergods beforeme.” (Exodus 20:3)

Jeremiah creates vivid images about the sacred sex trade. He links pulling up the skirts to reveal the genitals, with the sex drive of a horse for adulterers and participants of the sacred sex trade. (Strong, H7036)

I will pull up your skirts over your face that your shame may be seen. …your adulteries (nah-AWF)and lustful neighings, your shameless prostitution (zah-NAW)! I have seen your detestable acts on the hills and in the fields. Woe to you, Jerusalem! How long will you be unclean?” (Jeremiah 13:26-27)

Asherah Poles

Spreading Trees, rah-ah-NAWN ATES

High Hills, gah-bow-AH geeb-AH

Even their children remember their altars and Asherah polesbeside the spreading trees and on the high hills. (Jeremiah 17:2)

Asherah Poles, spreading (rah-ah-NAWN) trees (ATES), high (gah-bow-AH) hills (geeb-AH) are all locales for the practice of the sacred sex trade.

Baal

Valley of Ben Hinnom

Molek

Chemosh

They built high places for Baal in the Valley of Ben Hinnom to sacrifice their sons and daughters to Molek, though I never commanded—nor did it enter my mind—that they should do such a detestable thing and so make Judah sin. (Jeremiah 32:35)

Then Moab will be ashamed of Chemosh, as Israel was ashamed when they trusted in Bethel. (Jeremiah 48:13)

The valley of Ben Hinnom appears 38 times in 10 verses of the NIV.  Four of the ten references speak of child sacrifice in the Valley of Ben Hinnom. The typical sacrificial modality was burning the children in fire.(Strong, 2011) Molek was the deity to whom worshippers sacrificed their children. Molek occurs 9 times in 9 verses of the Hebrew Old Testament. (Strong, H4432)

Sodom and Gomorrah

As Sodom and Gomorrah were overthrown, along with their neighboring towns,”

“so no one will live there; no people will dwell in it. (Jeremiah 49:18)

Bel

Marduk

“Announce and proclaim among the nations, lift up a banner and proclaim it; keep nothing back, but say, ‘Babylon will be captured; Bel will be put to shame, Marduk filled with terror. Her images will be put to shame and her idols filled with terror.” (Jeremiah 50:2)

Sodom and Gomorrah connect directly to the Genesis sexual health big picture representing coercive violent sexuality first found in Genesis 19. Sodom and Gomorrah appear 77 times in 20 verses of the NIV translation. (BLB, Sodom and Gomorrah) Bel is a form of the name Baal meaning lord or master. The nations of Akkad, Assyria, and Babylonia each worshiped Baal. The use of Bel in this text with Marduk may indicate neo-Babylonian influence. If so, this era correlates exactly to the siege and fall of Jerusalem by Babylonians in 586 BCE. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bel_(mythology)

At the time of Jeremiah’s writing in the 7th century BCE the Babylonians worshipped a deity named “Bel“, meaning “lord”. Bel was a synthesis of Marduk, Enlil, and Dumuzid, the dying deity. Bel came to be known as the god of order and destiny. The cult of Bel cites in the Jewish story of “Bel and the Dragon” from the apocryphal addition to the book of Daniel. Bel mentions in numerous writings of Greek historians. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marduk

Marduk was the calf of the sun deity. When Hammurabi crafted his law code in the 18th century BCE Marduk became the chief deity of the Babylonian pantheon.  Marduk is the diety who raped and dismembered Tiamat, the Mesopotamian sea dragon goddess.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marduk

Ezekiel Sexual Health Positive Terms in Order of Appearance

Born, yeh-LED

Umbilical Cord, SHORE

Sexual Mature Partner, DODE

Betrothal, Spread (pah-RAWSH) Corner of Garment (kah-NAWF) Over, pah- RAWSH kah-NAWF

Cover (kah-SAH) Nakedness (ehr-VAH), kah-SAH ehr-VAH  An act of compassion contrasted with “uncovering the nakedness” which is an incestuous act

Covenant, buh-REETH

Large(gah-DAWL), Genitals (bah-SAR)

Lovers, ah-HAWV

Pleasure of Intimate Relationship, ah-RAWV

Nude Body, ehr-VAH

Genital Sexual Intercourse, qah-RAV

Monthly Cycle, nee-DAH

Nipples, DAWD

Breasts, SHAWD

Ejaculate, zeer-MAH

Intimacy, yah-DAH

Covenant, buh-REETH

Increase, rah-BAH

At-one-ment/Intimacy, kah-PHAR

Intimacy Terms

Genital Sexual Intercourse, qah-RAV

Pleasure of Intimate Relationship, ah-RAWV

Lover, ah-HAWV

Sexually Mature Partner, DODE

At-one-ment/intimacy, kah-PHAR

Intimacy, yah-DAH

Five terms connect to genital sexual intercourse in Ezekiel; intercourse, qah-RAV, the pleasure of intimacy, ah-RAWV,  lovers, ah-HAWV,  sexually mature partner, DODE, and yah-DAH, to know intimately.

Qah-RAWV means to draw near, or be near. Eight times in the Hebrew Old Testament qah-RAWV has the meaning of genital sexual intercourse. (Genesis 20:4; Isaiah 8:3; Deuteronomy 22:14; Leviticus 18:6, 14, 19; Ezekiel 18:6; Leviticus 20:16; Strong, H7126) Qah-RAV can be used for unhealthy sexuality or sexual intimacy. 

He does not eat at the mountain shrines or look to the idols of Israel. He does not defile his neighbor’s wife or have sexual relations (qah-RAV) with a woman during her period. (Ezekiel 18:6)

Isaiah chooses draw near, qah-RAV, to describe sexual intimacy with his wife. 

Then I made love to (qah-RAV) the prophetess, and she conceived and gave birth to a son. And the LORD said to me, “Name him Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz. (Isaiah 8:3)

Ah-RAWV appears 7 times in 7 verses of the Hebrew Old Testament. Ah-RAWV means sweet or pleasurable. (Strong, H6149) 

Therefore I am going to gather all your lovers, with whom you found pleasure (ah- RAWV), those you loved as well as those you hated. (Ezekiel 16:37)

Ezekiel seems to enjoy words which sound alike, called homophones. Ah-RAWV, pleasure, and ah-HAWV the root word for lovers, sound similar. (Strong, H157). Ah-HAWV, love, has a range of meaning to desire, to love, to delight. Chaldee is a dialect which influenced Biblical Hebrew. Ah-VAWV in Chaldee though unused in Hebrew has meanings of to germinate, to be fertile, to shoot forth, an ear of corn, and eager pursuit. (BLB, Strong, H157)

Sexually Mature Partner, DODE

Betrothal, Spread (pah-RAWSH) Corner of Garment (kah-NAWF) Over, pah- RAWSH kah-NAWF

Cover (kah-SAH) Nakedness (ehr-VAH), kah-SAH ehr-VAH  An act of compassion contrasted with uncovering the nakedness which is an incestuous act

In this Ezekiel snap shot of compassionate presence God is seen as the YBM, redeemer, who betroths the zah-NAH, sex trafficking victim, by spreading the corner of his garment over the bride to be. 

”Later I passed by, and when I looked at you and saw that you were old enough for love (DODE), I spread (pah-RAWSH) the corner of my garment (kah-RAWSH)over you and covered (kah-SAH)your naked body (ehr-VAH). I gave you my solemn oath and entered into a covenant with you, declares the Sovereign LORD, and you became mine. (Ezekiel 16:8)

  The phrase, spread the corner of my garment  is the exact wording in Ruth for the betrothal snap shot of Boaz and Ruth. (Strong, H6566, H3671) 

“Who are you?” he asked. “I am your servant Ruth,” she said. “Spread the corner (pah- RAWSH) of your garment (kah-NAWF) over me, since you are a guardian-redeemer of our family.” (Ruth 3:9)

The uncovering (gah-LAH) of nakedness (ehr-VAH), means incest beginning in Genesis 9 with the sexual assault of Ham against his mother. The covering of nakedness or the naked body in this passage however means the opposite, that is to cover the shameful exposure of a victim of trafficking. (Strong, H3680, H6172) “Old enough for love” is the term DODE meaning perhaps sexually mature, or one ripe for love.  Solomon adopts this word using it 32 times to speak of his lover in the Song of Solomon. (Strong, H1730)

Covenant, buh-REETH

Increase, rah-BAH

I will make a covenant (buh-REETH) of peace with them; it will be an everlasting covenant (buh-REETH). I will establish them and increase their numbers (rah-BAH), and I will put my sanctuary among them forever. (Ezekiel 37:26)

Covenant (buh-REETH) and increase (rah-BAH) their numbers connect word for word to the Genesis sexual health positive big picture. Covenant first appears in Genesis 6:18 when God promises to cut a covenant or make a lasting agreement with Noah and his family. Covenant, buh-REETH means to “cut” appearing 284 times in 264 verses of the Hebrew Old Testament. (Strong, H1285) Jeremiah describes the serious consequences of breaking covenant, “Those who have violated my covenant and have not fulfilled the terms of the covenant they made before me, I will treat like the calf they cut in two and then walked between its pieces.” (Jeremiah 34:18) Ezekiel uses buh-REETH 15 times. Rah-BAH, increase, features in the preamble to every covenant in Genesis. This sexual health positive keystone phrase is, “Be fruitful and increase.” The first time rah-BAH appears is in Genesis 1:22, “God blessed them and said, ‘Be fruitful and increase (rah-BAH) in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth.’” (Genesis 1:22) In Ezekiel 16 the prophet uses covenant, buh-REETH, plus the word for oath six times. Six is a favorite symbol of Ezekiel’s excellent writing expressing consummate evil. 

“ This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I will deal with you as you deserve, because you have despised my oath (ah-LAH) by breaking the covenant (buh-REETH).

Yet I will remember the covenant (buh-REETH)I made with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish an everlasting covenant (buh-REETH) with you.

Then you will remember your ways and be ashamed when you receive your sisters, both those who are older than you and those who are younger. I will give them to you as daughters, but not on the basis of my covenant (buh-REETH) with you.

So I will establish my covenant (buh-REETH)with you, and you will know that I am the LORD.

Then, when I make atonement (kah-PHAR) for you for all you have done, you will remember and be ashamed and never again open your mouth because of your humiliation, declares the Sovereign LORD.’ ” (Ezekiel 16:20-63)

The closing for chapter 16 uses two intimacy terms, yah-DAH, intimacy, and atonement, kah-PHAR meaning “at-one-ment”.  William Tyndall in his 1534 translation of the Bible coins the word for reconciliation as at-one-ment. https://forward.com/culture/11632/at-one-ment-00488/ The fuller meaning includes unity and reconciliation.  The Hebrew term kah-PHAR has the range of meaning: to cover, to condone, to appease, cleanse, forgive, be compassionate, pacify, pardon, and reconcile. (Strong, H3722) Yah-DAH, is both the premier term to express God’s relationship with humankind but also sexual intimacy.  The Hebrew Biblical word for to be intimate is yah-DAH, and the similar sounding Greek term is OIDA.  The meaning for the terms YDA and Greek OIDA range: to know; spiritually, pleasurably, beautifully, compassionately, mutually, consensually, rationally, or emotionally and at times for sexual intercourse (Botterweck and Kittel, 1986). 

After the breaking of covenant through the trafficking of humans for sex, benevolent Creator recreates oneness with Israel. In this renewal of intimacy between God and humankind the people He loves will “know” or see that God is the Lord. 

Anatomical and Gynecological Terms

Born, yeh-LED

Umbilical Cord, SHORE

Cover (kah-SAH) Nakedness (ehr-VAH), kah-SAH ehr-VAH

On the day you were born (yeh-LED)your cord (SHORE)was not cut, nor were you washed with water to make you clean, nor were you rubbed with salt or wrapped in cloths.

No one looked on you with pity or had compassion enough to do any of these things for you. Rather, you were thrown out into the open field, for on the day you were born (yeh-LED) you were despised.

“ ‘Then I passed by and saw you kicking about in your blood, and as you lay there in your blood I said to you, “Live!”

“ ‘Later I passed by, and when I looked at you and saw that you were old enough for love (DODE), I spread (pah-RAWSH) the corner of my garment (kah-NAWF)over you and covered (kah-SAH) your naked (ehr-VAH) body. I gave you my solemn oath and entered into a covenant (buh-REETH) with you, declares the Sovereign LORD, and you became mine. (Ezekiel 16:1-8)

“ This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I will deal with you as you deserve, because you have despised my oath (ah-LAH) by breaking the covenant (buh-REETH).

Yet I will remember the covenant (buh-REETH)I made with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish an everlasting covenant (buh-REETH) with you.

Then you will remember your ways and be ashamed when you receive your sisters, both those who are older than you and those who are younger. I will give them to you as daughters, but not on the basis of my covenant (buh-REETH) with you.

So I will establish my covenant (buh-REETH)with you, and you will know that I am the LORD.

Then, when I make atonement (kah-PHAR) for you for all you have done, you will remember and be ashamed and never again open your mouth because of your humiliation, declares the Sovereign LORD.’ ” (Ezekiel 16:20-63)

Large(gah-DAWL), Genitals (bah-SAR)

You engaged in prostitution (zah-NAW) with the Egyptians, your neighbors with large (gah-DAWL), genitals (bah-SAR) and aroused my anger with your increasing promiscuity (zah-NAW). (Ezekiel 16:26)

Nude Body, ehr-VAH

I am going to gather all your lovers (ah-HAWV), with whom you found pleasure (ah- RAWV), those you loved (ah-HAWV) as well as those you hated. I will gather them against you from all around and will strip you (gah-LAH er-VAH) in front of them, and they will see you stark (gah-LAH) naked (er-VAH).

Monthly Cycle, nee-DAH

“Suppose there is a righteous man who does what is just and right. 

He does not eat at the mountain shrines (HAR) or look to the idols (gil-LOOL) of Israel. He does not defile (tah-MAH) his neighbor’s wife or have sexual relations (qah-RAV) with a woman during her period (nee-DAH). (Ezekiel 18:5-6)

Nipples, DAWD

Breasts, SHAWD

So you longed for the lewdness (zee-MAH) of your youth, when in Egypt your bosom (DAWD) was caressed and your young breasts (SHAWD) fondled. (Ezekiel 23:21)

Ejaculate, zeer-MAH

There she lusted after her lovers, whose genitals were like those of donkeys and whose emission (zeer-MAH)was like that of horses. (Ezekiel 23:20)

Unhealthy Sexuality Terms and Images in Ezekiel

Unhealthy Sexual Behaviors, toe-eh-VAH

Spread (pah-SHAWK ) Legs (REH-gel)

Increasing (rah-BAH) Promiscuity (zah-NAH)

Sacred Sex Trade or Trafficking in Sex, zah-NAH

Lewdness or High Crimes, zee-MAH

Coercive or Violent Sexual Intercourse, shah-CAWV

Payment for Sacred Sex Trade, eth-NAWN 

Adulterous person or adultery, nah-AWF

Poured out (shah-PHAWK) your Lust (neh-SHAWK)

Depraved or Unhealthy Sexual Behavior, shah-CHAWT

Expose (gah-LAH) your naked body (er-VAH)

Coercive Sexuality, RA

Unhealthy Sexuality, BO

Heavy Breathing, ah-GAWV

At every street corner you built your lofty shrines (rah-MAH) and degraded your beauty, spreading your legs (pah-SAWK, REH-gel) with increasing (rah-BAH) promiscuity (zah-NAH)to anyone who passed by.

You engaged in prostitution (zah-NAH) with the Egyptians, your neighbors with large (gah-DAWL), genitals (bah-SAR) and aroused my anger with your increasing promiscuity (zah-NAH) So I stretched out my hand against you and reduced your territory; I gave you over to the greed of your enemies, the daughters of the Philistines, who were shocked by your lewd conduct (zee-MAH).

When you built your mounds (GAWV) at every street corner and made your lofty shrines (rah-MAH)in every public square, you were unlike a prostitute (zah-NAH), because you scorned payment (eth-NAWN).

“ ‘You adulterous (nah-AWF) wife! You prefer strangers to your own husband!

All prostitutes (zah-NAH) receive gifts, but you give gifts to all your lovers (ah-HAWV), bribing them to come to you from everywhere for your illicit favors (zah-NAH)…. (Strabo’s citation here)

This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Because you poured out (shah-PHAWK) your lust (neh-SHAWK) and exposed (gah-LAH) your naked body (er-VAH) in your promiscuity (zah-NAH) with your lovers (AH-HAWV), and because of all your detestable (toe-eh-VAH) idols (gah-LEEL), and because you gave them your children’s blood, therefore I am going to gather all your lovers (ah-HAWV), with whom you found pleasure (ah-RAWV), those you loved (ah-HAWV) as well as those you hated. I will gather them against you from all around and will strip you (gah-LAH er-VAH) in front of them, and they will see you stark (gah-LAH) naked (er-VAH).

I will sentence you to the punishment of women who commit adultery (nah-AWF) and who shed blood; I will bring on you the blood vengeance of my wrath and jealous anger….

You not only followed their ways and copied their detestable practices, but in all your ways you soon became more depraved (shah-CHAWT)  than they….

You would not even mention your sister Sodom in the day of your pride,

before your wickedness (RA) was uncovered (gah-LAH). Even so, you are now scorned by the daughters of Edom  and all her neighbors and the daughters of the Philistines—all those around you who despise you. (Ezekiel 16:25-57)

The phrase “detestable practice” translates from the word toe-eh-VAH appearing 118 times in 112 verses of the Hebrew Old Testament.  Detestable, toe-eh-VAH, connects to behaviors, rituals, or customs associated with foreign gods and idolatry. The Genesis and Exodus use of the term toe-eh-VAH relates to Egyptian culture. When Leviticus uses the word, incest is the context. So, in the first two books of the Bible, the sole context for toe-eh-VAH is Egyptian customs and the practice of incest.(Strong, H8441)

“Turn from your idols (ghih-LOOL) and renounce all your detestable practices (toe-eh- VAH)!“ (Ezekiel 14:6)

They served him by himself, the brothers by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves, because Egyptians could not eat with Hebrews, for that is detestable (toe-eh-VAH) to Egyptians. (Genesis 43:32)

But Moses said, “That would not be right. The sacrifices we offer the LORD our God would be detestable to the Egyptians. And if we offer sacrifices that are detestable (toe- eh-VAH) in their eyes, will they not stone us? (Exodus 8:26)

“ No one is to approach any close relative to have sexual relations. I am the LORD…

Everyone who does any of these detestable (toe-eh-VAH)things—such persons must be cut off from their people.” (Leviticus 18:6-29)

“Spread the legs” is not necessarily a negative phrase. It seems the context cements this as unhealthy sexuality with the words, “Spreading the legs…increasing promiscuity” (sex trafficking). Increasing is the Hebrew term rah-BAH. Rah-BAH is the root word for Rahab of Joshua 2:1. Rahab, a survivor of sex trafficking, assisted Israel’s intel and special ops at the siege of Jericho. She is recorded in the Bible at the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1 as an ancestor of Christ. The Book of Hebrews “hall of faith” honors Rehab along with Abraham, Isaac, Moses, and King David. James too remembers Rahab with high honors as a righteous woman who was faithful to God and survived the coercive abuse of the sacred sex trade.

Salmon the father of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse…. (Matthew 1:5)

By faith the prostitute (sex trafficking survivor) Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient. (Hebrews 11:31)

In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute (sex trafficking survivor) considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? (James 2:25)

Lewdness or High Crimes, zee-MAH

So I stretched out my hand against you and reduced your territory; I gave you over to the greed of your enemies, 

the daughters of the Philistines, who were shocked by your 

lewd conduct (zee-MAH). (Ezekiel 16:27)

Zee-MAH means high crimes. Perhaps in our culture we might say, felonious misconduct like trafficking humans and murder. Zee-MAH appears 29 times in 27 verses in the Hebrew Old Testament connecting to incest, trafficking a daughter into the sex trade, murder with dismemberment, and execution by ambush. (Strong, H2154)

Unhealthy Sexuality, shah-CAWV

She did not give up the prostitution (zah-NAH)she began in Egypt, when during her youth men slept with (shah-CAWV) her, caressed her virgin (buh-tue-LAH) bosom (DAWD) and poured out (shah-PHAWK) their lust (zah-NAH)on her. (Ezekiel 23:8)

Shah-CAWV is an important sexual health term. Shah-CAWV meaning coercive sexual intercourse occurs appears 213 times in 194 verses of the Hebrew Old Testament. The range of meaning includes: to lie down, coercive genital sexual intercourse, to rape, to die, to sleep, or to stay. Genesis uses shah-CAWV twenty times, fifteen of which refer to unhealthy sexuality. All uses of shah-CAWV in the book of Genesis connect to the unhealthy sexuality of incest, non-consensual intercourse, bartering for sexual favors, rape, and coercive seduction for sexual intercourse.  (Strong, H7901)

Payment for offering sexual services is the term eth-NAWN. The payment or price of a sex act with a trafficking victim occurs 11 times in 8 verses of the Hebrew Old Testament. (Strong, H868). In this piece Ezekiel seems to mock the sex trade.  In Ezekiel’s mind traffickers enjoy the business so much they shun payment.

When you built your mounds at every street corner and made your lofty shrines in every public square, you were unlike a prostitute, because you scorned payment (eth-NAWN).  (Ezekiel 16:31)

Adulterous person or adultery, nah-AWF

Poured out (shah-PHAWK) your Lust (neh-SHAWK)

Exposed (gah-LAH) your naked body (ehr-VAH) or uncover (gah-LAH) the nakedness (ehr-VAH) of

“ ‘You adulterous (nah-AWF) wife! You prefer strangers to your own husband!

All prostitutes (zah-NAH) receive gifts, but you give gifts to all your lovers (ah-HAWV), bribing them to come to you from everywhere for your illicit favors (zah-NAH)…. 

This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Because you poured out (shah-PHAWK) your lust (neh-SHAWK) and exposed (gah-LAH) your naked body (er-VAH) in your promiscuity (zah-NAH) with your lovers (AH-HAWV). (Ezekiel 16:32-36)

Adultery is the Hebrew word, nah-AWF. Adultery appears 31 times in 26 verses of the Hebrew Old Testament.  The first occurrence of this term is found in the Ten Commandments, “Thou shalt not commit adultery (nah-AWF). (Exodus 20:14) Nah-AWF does not only mean adultery between two people in a covenant of marriage with others, but also an image of unhealthy sexuality for decline of Israel’s intimacy with God. As a married partner moves away spiritually from the marriage, so did Israel distance from intimacy with God.  (Strong, H5003)

“Pour out lust” is an obscure phrase. Literally in Hebrew it reads, “‘poured out your brass’ and exposed your genitals in the act of sex trafficking with your customers.” (Ezekiel 16:36). Brass is the Hebrew word neh-HOE-sheth, brass. (Strong, H5178) Appearing 140 times in 119 verses of the Hebrew Old Testament. The term first appears in Genesis, “Zillah also had a son, Tubal-Cain, who forged all kinds of tools out ofbronze (neh-HOE-sheth) and iron.” (Genesis 4:22) Brass has a range of meaning: copper, metal coin, brass shackles; a metaphor of value as in brass is less valuable than gold, and one reference to unhealthy sexuality in Ezekiel 16:36. This work permits the Bible to interpret itself. The integrity of numerous texts can validate obscure meanings.  Ezekiel may very well have clarified the use of “brass” in his own writings. Ezekiel cites, neh-HOE-sheth, brass, five times. Each use of neh-HOE-sheth refers to liquifying metal in the process of metal working. Brass also represents impurity as opposed to the purity of gold. Could Ezekiel be thinking of molten brass poured out like the passionate heat of intercourse? Is it possible the prophet connects pouring out of sexual desire like the pouring out of “children’s blood” in sacrifice at the end of vs. 36? Does this form an inclusio highlighting a specific idea? Ezekiel 27:13 seems to cement this idea in terms of connecting brass to sex trafficking, “Greece, Tubal and Meshek did business with you; they traded human beings and articles of bronze (neh-HOE-sheth) for your wares.” (Ezekiel 27:13) Note that the locale Tubal is the surname of Tubal-Cain in Genesis 4:22 above.

This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Because you poured out your lust (neh-HOE- sheth) and exposed your naked body (ehr-VAH) in your promiscuity with your lovers, and because of all your detestable idols, and because you gave them your children’s blood. (Ezekiel 16:36)

“Son of man, the people of Israel have become dross to me; all of them are the copper (neh-HOE-sheth), tin, iron and lead left inside a furnace. They are but the dross of silver. (Ezekiel 22:18)

As silver, copper (neh-HOE-sheth), iron, lead and tin are gathered into a furnace to be melted with a fiery blast, so will I gather you in my anger and my wrath and put you inside the city and melt you. (Ezekiel 22:20)

Then set the empty pot on the coals till it becomes hot and its copper (neh-HOE- sheth) glows, so that its impurities may be melted and its deposit burned away. (Ezekiel 24:11)

Greece, Tubal and Meshek did business with you; they traded human beings and articles of bronze (neh-HOE-sheth) for your wares. (Ezekiel 27:13)

“Uncover the nakedness of “ is a phrase for incest in Genesis 9 and Leviticus chapters 18, 20 and Deuteronomy 22 and 27.  Uncover the nakedness of is used three times in chapter 23 of Ezekiel. Perhaps the best translation connects to Exodus 20:26. Moses helps protect the modesty of clergy as they ascend a public stairway. Apparently as priests process up steep flights of steps for rituals, cleric robes may have billowed in the wind exposing their genitals to gawking worshipers below. This phrase uncover the nakedness of is used in Moses’ regulations for priests.  So perhaps the best translation based on the data and context is, “exposing genitals.”

And do not go up to my altar on steps, or your private parts (ahr-VAH) may be exposed (gah-LAH). (Exodus 20:26)

Morally Corrupt, shah-CHAWT 

Morally corrupt first appears in the Noah snap shot of Genesis 6-9. Shah-CHAWT appears six times in this sexual nihilism section of Genesis. Six often represents comprehensive evil. The moral corruption of the Noah snap shot declined to erotic violence and incest.  (Strong, H7843) 

Unhealthy Sexuality, BO

Then I said about the one worn out by adultery (nah-AWF), ‘Now let them use her as a prostitute (zah-NAH), for that is all she is.’And they slept with (BO) her. As men sleep (BO) with a prostitute (BO), so they slept with (BO) those lewd (zee-MAH) women, Oholah and Oholibah. But righteous judges will sentence them to the punishment of women who commit adultery (zah-NAH) andshed blood, because they are adulterous (zah-NAH)and blood is on their hands….

Genesis uses BO, meaning to go into or unhealthy sexual intercourse 16 times. Bo first appears in the decline of humankind to sexual nihilism of Genesis 6:4. AllBO citations in Genesis reflect the unhealthy sexuality of sexual abuse, coercive sex, incest, and sex for food. BO does not appear in chapters 1-5 of the Genesis sexual health big picture. (Strong, H935). BO first occurs in the decline of humankind of chapter 6:4, then coercive intercourse with Hagar and Bilhah the concubine, the incest of Lot’s daughters with their biological father, Laban coercing his son-in-law Jacob to have sex with Leah, the bartering of mandrakes for sexual favors between rival sisters, the fatal Onan coitus interruptus snapshot, and Tamar’s incestuous seduction of her father-in-law. Ezekiel cites BOthree times for the sacred sex trade:“And they slept with (BO) her. As men sleep with (BO) a prostitute, so they slept with (BO) those lewd women, Oholah and Oholibah” (Ezekiel 23:44).

Heavy Breathing or Heavy Breathers, ah-GAWV

“Oholah engaged in prostitution (zah-NAH)while she was still mine; and she lusted (ah- GAWV)after her lovers (ah-HAWV), the Assyrians—warriors clothed in blue, governors and commanders, all of them handsome young men, and mounted horsemen. (Ezekiel 23:5)

Ah-GAWV literally means “heavy breathers” when used in the plural and “heavy breathing” in the singular. Ah-GAWV, appears seven times in the Hebrew Old Testament. Ezekiel uses the term, heavy breathing, ah-GAWV six times. Six is often a symbol of evil. Ah-GAWV sounds very similar to ah-HAWV, the word for lovers. (Strong, H157) It seems the prophet-author enjoys homophones as a literary device that is, “heavy breathers” (ah-GAWV) sounds like “lovers” (ah-HAWV). (Ezekiel 23:5)

Idolatry, Locales, and Images for the Sacred Sex Trade

Idols and Idolatry, ghih-LOOL

Canaanites

Lofty Shrines, rah-MAH

Location for the Sacred Sex Trade, bah-MAH

Idols, tse-LEM

Shrines Where The Sacred Sex Trade is Practiced, HAR

Greece, Tubal, Meshek, Sex Trafficking Regions

Ohalah and Oholibah, Sisters Trafficking in the Sacred Sex Trade

Summary of Idolatry, Locales and Images

Idols and Idolatry, ghih-LOOL

“Son of man, these men have set up idols (ghih-LOOL) in their hearts and put wicked stumbling blocks before their faces. Should I let them inquire of me at all? (Ezekiel 14:3)

Canaanites

’This is what the Sovereign LORD says to Jerusalem: Your ancestry and birth were in the land of the Canaanites; your father was an Amorite and your mother a Hittite.  (Ezekiel 16:1-3)

The first unhealthy sexuality term in Ezekiel orbits the sex trade.  The word “idols” appears six times in Ezekiel 14:1-7. Six is often a symbol of evil. Ghih-LOOL, a term of derision or sarcasm, means a log or block. (Strong, H1544). Ghih-LOOL appears 48 times in 45 verses in the Hebrew Old Testament.  37 times or 77 percent of the uses of ghih-LOOL appear in Ezekiel.  Canaan is the incestuous offspring of Ham and his biological mother. This is a direct connection to the Genesis sexual health big picture. (Genesis 9:22)

Lofty Shrines, rah-MAH

Location for the Sacred Sex Trade, bah-MAH

Idols, tse-LEM

 ‘But you trusted in your beauty and used your fame to become a prostitute (zah-NAH). You lavished your favors on anyone who passed by and your beauty became his.

You took some of your garments to make gaudy high places (bah-MAH), where you carried on your prostitution (zah-NAH). You went to him, and he possessed your beauty.

You also took the fine jewelry I gave you, the jewelry made of my gold and silver, and you made for yourself male idols (tse-LEM)and engaged in prostitution (zah-NAH) with them. (Ezekiel 16:15-17)

Shrines Where The Sacred Sex Trade is Practiced, HAR

“Suppose there is a righteous man who does what is just and right. 

He does not eat at the mountain shrines (HAR) or look to the idols (gil-LOOL) of Israel. (Ezekiel 18:6)

Lofty Shrines rah-MAH means a mound, high tower, or elevated place for defense or worship. (Strong, H7413) Bah-MAH is a high place for the practice of sex trafficking. (Strong, H1116) Tse-LEM has the nuance of a shadow or image. (Strong, H6754) HAR is a common term for mountain appearing 547 times in 486 verse of the Hebrew Old Testament. The Greek equivalent is the word, HA-ross, mountain. (Strong’s, H2022)

Greece, Tubal, Meshek, Sex Trafficking Regions

“ ‘Greece, Tubal and Meshek did business with you; they traded (rah- KAWL) human beings (NE-phesh ISH)and articles of bronze for your wares. (Ezekiel 27:13)

Ezekiel seems to enjoy citing place names in his work. He calls out Greece, Tubal/Turkey, and Meshek/western Asia Minor as traffickers for the sex trade. Ezekiel uses the term NEPH-esh ISH, soul of a man, perhaps to make the crime of sex trafficking more personal. This may contrast the sex trade with the intimacy of God in Genesis who shares His own breath with humankind. 

Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man (ISH) became a living being (NE-phesh). (Genesis 2:7)

Oholah and Oholibah, Two Sisters in the Sacred Sex Trade

“Oholah engaged in prostitution (zah-NAH)while she was still mine; and she lusted (ah- GAWV)after her lovers (ah-HAWV), the Assyrians—warriors clothed in blue, governors and commanders, all of them handsome young men, and mounted horsemen.

She gave herself as a prostitute (zah-NAH) to all the elite of the Assyrians and defiled (tah-MAH)herself with all the idols (gih-LOOL) of everyone she lusted (ah-GAWV) after.

She did not give up the prostitution (zah-NAH)she began in Egypt, when during her youth men slept with (shah-CAWB) her, caressed her virgin (buh-tue-LAH) bosom (DAWD) and poured out (shah-PHAWK) their lust (zah-NAH)on her.

“Therefore I delivered her into the hands of her lovers (ah-HAWV), the Assyrians, for whom she lusted (ah-GAWV).

They stripped her naked (gah-LAH ar-VEH), took away her sons and daughters and killed her with the sword. She became a byword among women, and punishment was inflicted on her.

“Her sister Oholibah saw this, yet in her lust (ah-geh-VAH) and prostitution (zah-NAH) she was more depraved (shah-CHAT) than her sister.

She too lusted (ah-GAWV) after the Assyrians—governors and commanders, warriors in full dress, mounted horsemen, all handsome young men.

Oholah means a sacred sex trade worker who brings her own tent to the sex act. (Strong, H170) Used exclusively by Ezekiel 5 times in 4 verses, Oholibah means “my tent by her”. (Strong, H172) Perhaps these terms can be put in modern language? Oholah is a sex trafficker who provides sexual services for paying clientele in a mobile recreational vehicle. Like a tent she can pull up stakes and move where client demand is high and economy profitable. Oholibah, her sister, also participates in the mobile sacred sex trade. Sister number two also meets with clients in her own trailer parked next to or “by” her sister?