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πόρνη

pórnē

G4204 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A woman who engages in sexual intercourse for payment; specifically, a prostitute. In broader or figurative contexts, refers to a woman who is promiscuous or unfaithful; in certain metaphorical uses (especially in Jewish and Christian texts), indicates one who is unfaithful to a covenant or who participates in idolatrous practices.

Semantic Range

female prostitute, woman who sells sexual services, woman engaging in extramarital sex for payment, metaphorically: covenantal unfaithfulness, idolatrous woman, figure for unfaithfulness to the deity

Root / Etymology

Feminine form of πόρνος, itself from the root πέρναω/πέρνημι (to sell), denoting 'one who is for sale.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In classical Greek, πόρνη primarily denoted a woman who offered sexual services for monetary compensation, distinguished from other categories of sexual relationships by the transactional aspect. The term is attested in a variety of Greek literature, including Aristophanes and Plato. By the Hellenistic and Roman periods, as reflected in the Septuagint and New Testament, πόρνη retains its basic sense of a prostitute, often with negative moral connotations. In both the Septuagint and New Testament, πόρνη is sometimes used metaphorically to depict apostasy, covenant unfaithfulness, or involvement in idolatrous practices (e.g., Revelation 17). The translation 'harlot' or 'whore' in English Bibles reflects older English usage, but 'prostitute' is the more neutral and precise rendering. The term is distinct from related words such as μοιχαλίς ('adulteress'), which implies transgression of marriage rather than transactional sexuality.

Translation Consistency

primary "prostitute" 12 occurrences

πόρνη most commonly and directly denotes a woman who sells sexual services. “Prostitute” is the natural, neutral modern English equivalent used in most translations and fits both the literal sense (female sex worker) and the common metaphorical sense (covenantal/idolatrous unfaithfulness). It preserves consistency across singular/plural forms and avoids the harsher or archaic tone of alternatives like “whore” or “harlot.”

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

feminine of πόρνος; a strumpet; figuratively, an idolater:--harlot, whore.

Root Family

πόρνη (pornē) — to sell, to prostitute, woman for sale

Root πορν- to sell, to prostitute

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G4204-02 πόρνῃ porne N DAT F SG harlot to a prostitute prostitute 4
G4204-05 πορνῶν pornon N GEN F PL harlots of prostitutes prostitutes 2
G4204-04 πόρνης pornes N GEN F SG of a prostitute of a prostitute of a prostitute 2
G4204-01 πόρναι pornai N NOM F PL prostitutes prostitute women prostitutes 2
G4204-03 πόρνην pornen N ACC F SG prostitute a prostitute prostitute 2

Occurrences in Scripture

12 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G4204-01 Matthew 21:31 πόρναι pornai N NOM F PL prostitutes prostitute women prostitutes
G4204-01 Matthew 21:32 πόρναι pornai N NOM F PL prostitutes prostitute women prostitutes
G4204-05 Luke 15:30 πορνῶν pornon N GEN F PL prostitutes of prostitutes prostitutes
G4204-04 1 Corinthians 6:15 πόρνης pornes N GEN F SG of a prostitute of a prostitute of a prostitute
G4204-02 1 Corinthians 6:16 πόρνῃ porne N DAT F SG prostitute to a prostitute prostitute
G4204-02 Hebrews 11:31 πόρνη porne N NOM F SG harlot to a prostitute prostitute
G4204-02 James 2:25 πόρνη porne N NOM F SG harlot to a prostitute prostitute
G4204-04 Revelation 17:1 πόρνης pornes N GEN F SG prostitute of a prostitute of a prostitute
G4204-05 Revelation 17:5 πορνῶν pornon N GEN F PL harlots of prostitutes prostitutes
G4204-02 Revelation 17:15 πόρνη porne N NOM F SG prostitute to a prostitute prostitute
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