Difference between revisions of "Why didn't King Solomon punish the prostitutes who came to him for justice?"
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Just because prostitutes are mentioned in a descriptive passage of scripture, it doesn't follow that prostitution was either legal or even tolerated. It might be true that prostitution was tolerated by a given community described in the scriptural narrative. But we would have to infer this from something other than this passage about King Solomon. | Just because prostitutes are mentioned in a descriptive passage of scripture, it doesn't follow that prostitution was either legal or even tolerated. It might be true that prostitution was tolerated by a given community described in the scriptural narrative. But we would have to infer this from something other than this passage about King Solomon. | ||
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| + | In fact, Biblical law makes it clear that: | ||
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| + | # fornication [Hebrew: זָנָה] (including the specific sin of sex prior to marriage) is sinful [Lev. 19:29, Lev. 21:9, Deut. 22:21] | ||
| + | # witnessed adultery (breaking an established marriage/betrothal covenant) is a capital offense [Lev. 20:10] | ||
| + | # fornication which doesn't break an established marriage covenant can, under certain circumstances, incur a fine (or bridewealth restitution) payment (but whether the civil government is involved in enforcing this would depend upon the girl's father/guardian bringing it to the attention of the judge). [Deut. 22:28-29] | ||
Revision as of 14:00, 20 July 2020
In 1 Kings 3:16, harlots came before King Solomon for justice. Why didn't he punish them for being harlots? Does this mean that prostitution was legal in Israel?
Just because prostitutes are mentioned in a descriptive passage of scripture, it doesn't follow that prostitution was either legal or even tolerated. It might be true that prostitution was tolerated by a given community described in the scriptural narrative. But we would have to infer this from something other than this passage about King Solomon.
In fact, Biblical law makes it clear that:
- fornication [Hebrew: זָנָה] (including the specific sin of sex prior to marriage) is sinful [Lev. 19:29, Lev. 21:9, Deut. 22:21]
- witnessed adultery (breaking an established marriage/betrothal covenant) is a capital offense [Lev. 20:10]
- fornication which doesn't break an established marriage covenant can, under certain circumstances, incur a fine (or bridewealth restitution) payment (but whether the civil government is involved in enforcing this would depend upon the girl's father/guardian bringing it to the attention of the judge). [Deut. 22:28-29]
