A sodomite in biblical usage refers to a male temple prostitute associated with the immoral rites of heathen worship. Israel’s Law condemned such practices, and several kings were commended or criticized according to whether they removed or tolerated them.
Definition
A sodomite, in the biblical usage described here, was a male temple prostitute attached to heathen sanctuaries and associated with impure religious rites. The related feminine term denotes a female prostitute. Such practices were regarded as a grave corruption when connected with worship in Yahweh’s land.
Biblical Usage
The Law forbade these practices. Their presence marked degeneracy under Rehoboam; Asa and Jehoshaphat removed them; and Josiah destroyed houses connected with them, including houses located in the temple precincts. The English term derives from the evil reputation associated with Sodom.
Historical Background
The term refers to religious prostitution connected with sanctuaries of heathen deities. The feminine form is translated “prostitute” in several passages and “sodomitess” in a marginal rendering.
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>sod'-om-it (qadhesh, feminine qedheshah): Qadhesh denotes properly a male temple prostitute, one of the class attached to certain sanctuaries of heathen deities, and "consecrated" to the impure rites of their worship. Such gross and degrading practices in Yahweh's land could only be construed as a flagrant outrage; and any association of these with His pure worship was abhorrent (De 23:17 f): The presence of Sodomites is noted as a mark of degeneracy in Rehoboam's time (1Ki 14:24). Asa endeavored to get rid of them (1Ki 15:12), and Jehoshaphat routed them out (1Ki 22:46). Subsequent corruptions opened the way for their return, and Josiah had to break down their houses which were actually "in the house of the Lord" (2Ki 23:7). The feminine qedheshah is translated "prostitute" in Ge 38:21,22; Ho 4:14; in De 23:17 "prostitute" (the King James Version margin "sodomitess," the Revised Version margin transliterates). The English word is, of course, derived from Sodom, the inhabitants of which were in evil repute for unnatural vice.</p><p>W. Ewing</p>
