Leviticus 19:29
Leviticus 19:29 in Multiple Translations
You must not defile your daughter by making her a prostitute, or the land will be prostituted and filled with depravity.
¶ Do not prostitute thy daughter, to cause her to be a whore; lest the land fall to whoredom, and the land become full of wickedness.
Profane not thy daughter, to make her a harlot; lest the land fall to whoredom, and the land become full of wickedness.
Do not make your daughter common by letting her become a loose woman, for fear that the land may become full of shame.
Don't bring shame on your daughter by making her a prostitute, otherwise the land will become morally and spiritually depraved.
Thou shalt not make thy daughter common, to cause her to be a whore, least the lande also fall to whoredome, and the lande bee full of wickednesse.
'Thou dost not pollute thy daughter to cause her to go a-whoring, that the land go not a-whoring, and the land hath been full of wickedness.
“‘Don’t profane your daughter, to make her a prostitute; lest the land fall to prostitution, and the land become full of wickedness.
Do not prostitute thy daughter to cause her to be a harlot: lest the land should fall to lewdness, and the land become full of wickedness.
Make not thy daughter a common strumpet, lest the land be defiled, and filled with wickedness.
‘Do 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.
Berean Amplified Bible — Leviticus 19:29
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Leviticus 19:29 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אַל
תְּחַלֵּ֥ל
אֶֽת
בִּתְּ/ךָ֖
לְ/הַזְנוֹתָ֑/הּ
וְ/לֹא
תִזְנֶ֣ה
הָ/אָ֔רֶץ
וּ/מָלְאָ֥ה
הָ/אָ֖רֶץ
זִמָּֽה
אַל
ʼal
H408
not
Part
תְּחַלֵּ֥ל
châlal
H2490
to bore
V-Piel-Juss-2ms
אֶֽת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
בִּתְּ/ךָ֖
bath
H1323
Bath (Shua)
N-fs | Suff
לְ/הַזְנוֹתָ֑/הּ
zânâh
H2181
to fornicate
Prep | V-Hiphil-Inf-a | Suff
וְ/לֹא
lôʼ
H3808
not
Conj | Part
תִזְנֶ֣ה
zânâh
H2181
to fornicate
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs
הָ/אָ֔רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
land
Art | N-cs
וּ/מָלְאָ֥ה
mâlêʼ
H4390
to fill
Conj | V-Qal-3fs
הָ/אָ֖רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
land
Art | N-cs
זִמָּֽה
zimmâh
H2154
wickedness
N-fs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Leviticus 19:29
אַל
ʼal
H408
"not"
Part
Means not or nothing, used to express negation, as in the phrase do not or let not be.
Definition: 1) not, no, nor, neither, nothing (as wish or preference) 1a) do not, let not (with a verb) 1b) let there not be (with a verb understood) 1c) not, no (with substantive) 1d) nothing (as substantive) Aramaic equivalent: al (אַל "not" H0409)
Usage: Occurs in 572 OT verses. KJV: nay, neither, [phrase] never, no, nor, not, nothing (worth), rather than. See also: Genesis 13:8; Joshua 11:6; 1 Chronicles 22:13.
תְּחַלֵּ֥ל
châlal
H2490
"to bore"
V-Piel-Juss-2ms
This Hebrew word means to profane or begin, like starting something new or breaking a rule. It appears in the Bible when someone disrespects God or a person, like in Ezekiel 22:26. It can also mean to play music or start a project.
Definition: 1) to wound (fatally), bore through, pierce, bore 1a) (Qal) to pierce 1b) (Pual) to be slain 1c) (Poel) to wound, pierce 1d) (Poal) to be wounded
Usage: Occurs in 132 OT verses. KJV: begin ([idiom] men began), defile, [idiom] break, defile, [idiom] eat (as common things), [idiom] first, [idiom] gather the grape thereof, [idiom] take inheritance, pipe, player on instruments, pollute, (cast as) profane (self), prostitute, slay (slain), sorrow, stain, wound. See also: Genesis 4:26; Ezra 3:8; Psalms 55:21.
אֶֽת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
בִּתְּ/ךָ֖
bath
H1323
"Bath (Shua)"
N-fs | Suff
The Hebrew word for daughter is used to describe a female child or a woman, and can also be used figuratively. In the Bible, it is used to describe women like Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah and later of King David.
Definition: A woman living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.38.2; daughter of: Shua (H7770); married to Judah (H3063); mother of: Er (H6147), Onan (H0209) and Shelah (H7956) the wife of Uriah whom David had murdered, having had adulterous relations with her; subsequently wife of David and mother of Solomon, Shimea, Shobab, and Nathan (alternate spelling to 'Bathsheba')
Usage: Occurs in 498 OT verses. KJV: apple (of the eye), branch, company, daughter, [idiom] first, [idiom] old, [phrase] owl, town, village. See also: Genesis 5:4; Exodus 2:21; Ruth 1:13.
לְ/הַזְנוֹתָ֑/הּ
zânâh
H2181
"to fornicate"
Prep | V-Hiphil-Inf-a | Suff
To fornicate means to commit adultery or be unfaithful, often used to describe idolatry in the Bible. It can also refer to a person being a cult prostitute or causing others to be unfaithful.
Definition: 1) to commit fornication, be a harlot, play the harlot 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be a harlot, act as a harlot, commit fornication 1a2) to commit adultery 1a3) to be a cult prostitute 1a4) to be unfaithful (to God) (fig.) 1b) (Pual) to play the harlot 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to commit adultery 1c2) to force into prostitution 1c3) to commit fornication
Usage: Occurs in 81 OT verses. KJV: (cause to) commit fornication, [idiom] continually, [idiom] great, (be an, play the) harlot, (cause to be, play the) whore, (commit, fall to) whoredom, (cause to) go a-whoring, whorish. See also: Genesis 34:31; Isaiah 57:3; Psalms 73:27.
וְ/לֹא
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Conj | Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
תִזְנֶ֣ה
zânâh
H2181
"to fornicate"
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs
To fornicate means to commit adultery or be unfaithful, often used to describe idolatry in the Bible. It can also refer to a person being a cult prostitute or causing others to be unfaithful.
Definition: 1) to commit fornication, be a harlot, play the harlot 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be a harlot, act as a harlot, commit fornication 1a2) to commit adultery 1a3) to be a cult prostitute 1a4) to be unfaithful (to God) (fig.) 1b) (Pual) to play the harlot 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to commit adultery 1c2) to force into prostitution 1c3) to commit fornication
Usage: Occurs in 81 OT verses. KJV: (cause to) commit fornication, [idiom] continually, [idiom] great, (be an, play the) harlot, (cause to be, play the) whore, (commit, fall to) whoredom, (cause to) go a-whoring, whorish. See also: Genesis 34:31; Isaiah 57:3; Psalms 73:27.
הָ/אָ֔רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
"land"
Art | N-cs
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.
וּ/מָלְאָ֥ה
mâlêʼ
H4390
"to fill"
Conj | V-Qal-3fs
To fill means to make something full or complete, like filling a container or fulfilling a promise. This word is used in many contexts, including being full of joy or having a job completed.
Definition: 1) to fill, be full 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be full 1a1a) fulness, abundance (participle) 1a1b) to be full, be accomplished, be ended 1a2) to consecrate, fill the hand 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be filled, be armed, be satisfied 1b2) to be accomplished, be ended 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to fill 1c2) to satisfy 1c3) to fulfil, accomplish, complete 1c4) to confirm 1d) (Pual) to be filled 1e) (Hithpael) to mass themselves against Aramaic equivalent: me.la (מְלָא "to fill" H4391)
Usage: Occurs in 242 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, confirm, [phrase] consecrate, be at an end, be expired, be fenced, fill, fulfil, (be, become, [idiom] draw, give in, go) full(-ly, -ly set, tale), (over-) flow, fulness, furnish, gather (selves, together), presume, replenish, satisfy, set, space, take a (hand-) full, [phrase] have wholly. See also: Genesis 1:22; 2 Chronicles 16:14; Psalms 10:7.
הָ/אָ֖רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
"land"
Art | N-cs
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.
זִמָּֽה
zimmâh
H2154
"wickedness"
N-fs
This Hebrew word refers to a wicked or evil plan, and can include things like adultery, incest, and idolatry. It is used to describe the bad intentions or schemes of people in the Bible.
Definition: 1) plan, device, wickedness, evil plan, mischievous purpose 1a) plan, purpose 1b) evil device, wickedness 1c) not chaste, incest, licentiousness, adultery, idolatry, harlotry
Usage: Occurs in 27 OT verses. KJV: heinous crime, lewd(-ly, -ness), mischief, purpose, thought, wicked (device, mind, -ness). See also: Leviticus 18:17; Ezekiel 16:27; Psalms 26:10.
Study Notes — Leviticus 19:29
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Leviticus 19:29 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Leviticus 19:29
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Leviticus 19:29
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Leviticus 19:29
- Trapp's Commentary on Leviticus 19:29
- Ellicott's Commentary on Leviticus 19:29
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Leviticus 19:29
- Cambridge Bible on Leviticus 19:29
- Whedon's Commentary on Leviticus 19:29
- Sermons on Leviticus 19:29
Context — Keep My Statutes
27You must not cut off the hair at the sides of your head or clip off the edges of your beard.
28You must not make any cuts in your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD.
29You must not defile your daughter by making her a prostitute, or the land will be prostituted and filled with depravity.
30You must keep My Sabbaths and have reverence for My sanctuary. I am the LORD. 31You must not turn to mediums or spiritists; do not seek them out, or you will be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deuteronomy 23:17–18 | No daughter or son of Israel is to be a shrine prostitute. You must not bring the wages of a prostitute, whether female or male, into the house of the LORD your God to fulfill any vow, because both are detestable to the LORD your God. |
| 2 | Leviticus 21:7 | A priest must not marry a woman defiled by prostitution or divorced by her husband, for the priest is holy to his God. |
| 3 | Hosea 4:12–14 | My people consult their wooden idols, and their divining rods inform them. For a spirit of prostitution leads them astray and they have played the harlot against their God. They sacrifice on the mountaintops and burn offerings on the hills, under oak, poplar, and terebinth, because their shade is pleasant. And so your daughters turn to prostitution and your daughters-in-law to adultery. I will not punish your daughters when they prostitute themselves, nor your daughters-in-law when they commit adultery. For the men themselves go off with prostitutes and offer sacrifices with shrine prostitutes. So a people without understanding will come to ruin. |
| 4 | 1 Corinthians 6:15 | Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! |
Leviticus 19:29 Summary
[This verse is saying that we should never force or allow our daughters to be used in prostitution, because it is a terrible sin that hurts them and corrupts our community, as seen in Deuteronomy 23:17-18. By obeying this command, we are showing reverence for God and helping to keep our community pure, as taught in Leviticus 18:24-25 and Exodus 20:2. We should seek to protect and care for our children, and teach them about God's love and holiness, so that they can grow up to be people of integrity and faith, as encouraged in Proverbs 22:6.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to defile one's daughter by making her a prostitute?
This phrase refers to the horrific practice of forcing one's own daughter into prostitution, which was sometimes done in ancient cultures as a form of idolatrous worship, as seen in Deuteronomy 23:17-18, and is strictly forbidden by God.
Why would the land be 'prostituted and filled with depravity' if this command is disobeyed?
The land would be polluted by such sinful actions, much like the defilement of the land through murder in Numbers 35:33-34, and would lead to a corruption of the community and its values, as warned in Leviticus 18:24-25.
How does this command relate to the rest of the chapter?
This verse is part of a series of commands in Leviticus 19 that emphasize the importance of holiness and separation from sinful practices, as seen in verses like Leviticus 19:26-28 and Leviticus 19:31, where God prohibits various forms of pagan worship and self-mutilation.
What is the significance of the phrase 'I am the LORD' in the surrounding verses?
The phrase 'I am the LORD' is a declaration of God's sovereignty and authority, emphasizing that He is the one who has given these commands, and that obedience to them is a matter of reverence and worship, as seen in Exodus 20:2 and Leviticus 18:5.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that we, as a society, may be 'defiling our daughters' today, and how can we work to prevent this?
- How can we balance the need to protect our children from harm with the need to give them freedom and autonomy?
- What are some ways that the 'depravity' mentioned in this verse can manifest in our own lives and communities, and how can we seek to prevent it?
- How does this command relate to the broader theme of holiness and separation in the book of Leviticus, and what can we learn from it about God's character and expectations for us?
Gill's Exposition on Leviticus 19:29
Do not prostitute thy daughter, to cause her to be a whore,.... Not by delaying to marry her, which is the sense the Jews give (l), but it refers to a wicked practice among the Phoenicians or
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Leviticus 19:29
Do not prostitute thy daughter, to cause her to be a whore; lest the land fall to whoredom, and the land become full of wickedness. No JFB commentary on this verse.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Leviticus 19:29
This the Gentiles frequently did for the honour of some of their idols, to whom divers women were consecrated, and publicly prostituted.
Trapp's Commentary on Leviticus 19:29
Leviticus 19:29 Do not prostitute thy daughter, to cause her to be a whore; lest the land fall to whoredom, and the land become full of wickedness.Ver. 29. Do not prostitute thy daughter.] As some of the heathens did in honour of their gods. As the papists do at this day, in their stews and brothel houses. Their casuists complain of some harlots there so boldly lascivious, as to solicit others, so as to prostitute themselves to all comers; yea, in some Spanish stews to an unnatural filthiness. But what a shameful thing is that which Espencaeus, a Papist, reports with detestation, that in Rome a Jewish maid might not be admitted into the stews of whoredom, unless she would be first baptized. Dici nequit, saith he, quam incredibili Christianorum tum pudore, tum etiam eorum, qui vere tales sunt, cordollo, ut Iudae filiae scortari non liceat, Dei filiae liceat: What a shameful and sad thing is this, that a Jewess, unless she turn Christian, &c. Martin. Vival., in Candelabro, Cap. de Confessione. Espenc., De Continent., lib. iii. cap. 4.
Ellicott's Commentary on Leviticus 19:29
(29) Do not prostitute thy daughter.—This refers to the degrading worship of Astarte which prevailed in ancient times, and which at times also broke out among the Jews.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Leviticus 19:29
Verse 29. Do not prostitute thy daughter] This was a very frequent custom, and with examples of it writers of antiquity abound. The Cyprian women, according to Justin, gained that portion which their husbands received with them at marriage by previous public prostitution. And the Phoenicians, according to Augustine, made a gift to Venus of the gain acquired by the public prostitution of their daughters, previously to their marriage. "Veneri donum dabant, et prostitutiones filiarum, antequam jungerent eas viris." - De Civit. Del, lib. xviii., c. 5; and see Calmet.
Cambridge Bible on Leviticus 19:29
29. For ‘the land’ in the sense of its inhabitants, cp. Leviticus 18:25; Judges 18:30; Hosea 1:2.
Whedon's Commentary on Leviticus 19:29
29. Do not prostitute — The cursed thirst for gold was the motive which incited fathers to an act so unnatural.
Sermons on Leviticus 19:29
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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By His Stripes We Are Healed by Philip Powell | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the Hebrew words "Peshah" and "Abon," which are translated as transgression and iniquity. These words convey the ideas of rebellion, perversi |
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(1 Corinthians) ch.6:7-6:20 by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of avoiding not only sinful things but also unprofitable things in the Christian life. He specifically mentions the area of fo |
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(Bible Analysis of Man) Man's Body Mortal by Willie Mullan | In this sermon, the preacher describes the situation of the apostle Paul who was imprisoned in a dark and damp Roman cell, chained to a soldier. Despite his circumstances, Paul rej |
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(Through the Bible) Genesis 39-41 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the purposes of God in his own life and how God prepared him for his ministry. He also discusses the story of Joseph and how God gave him in |
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The Holy Spirit - Part 2 by Ken Baird | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the concept of being born of the spirit and the effects of the spirit in our lives. He explains that while we cannot physically see the spiri |
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Believers Are in Christ by Tim Conway | This sermon delves into the profound truths of being a saint, a believer, and being in Christ as highlighted in Ephesians 1. It emphasizes the positional reality, the surrounding n |
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You Are Gods Property (Part 1) by Phil Beach Jr. | Phil Beach Jr. emphasizes that believers are God's property, bought with a price through the blood of Christ. He explains that our bodies and spirits are temples of the Holy Spirit |