Original Word: πόρνη
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: porné
Pronunciation: por-nay'
Phonetic Spelling: (por'-nay)
Definition: Prostitute, Harlot
Meaning: a prostitute; met: an idolatrous community.

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek verb πέρνημι (pérnēmi), meaning "to sell," indicating a transactional nature.

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: - H2181 (זָנָה, zanah): Often translated as "to commit fornication" or "to be a harlot," used in the Old Testament to describe both literal and spiritual adultery.

- H6945 (קְדֵשָׁה, qedeshah): Refers to a temple prostitute, associated with pagan worship practices.

Usage: In the New Testament, "porné" refers to a woman who engages in sexual immorality, often for monetary gain. The term is used to describe both literal and metaphorical unfaithfulness, highlighting moral and spiritual corruption.

Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Greek and Roman societies, prostitution was a common and often socially accepted practice, though it was generally viewed with moral ambivalence. Prostitutes, or "pornai," were typically marginalized and lacked social status. In Jewish culture, prostitution was condemned, and the term "porné" carried a strong negative connotation, symbolizing spiritual adultery and idolatry.

Word Origin
probably from pernémi (to export for sale)
Definition
a prostitute
NASB Translation
harlot (6), harlots (1), prostitute (2), prostitutes (3).

STRONGS NT 4204: πόρνη

πόρνη, πόρνης, ἡ (from περάω, πέρνημι, to sell; Curtius, § 358), properly a woman who sells her body for sexual uses (cf. Xenophon, mem. 1, 6, 13), the Sept. for זונָה;

1. properly, a prostitute, a harlot, one who yields herself to defilement for the sake of gain (Aristophanes, Demosthenes, others); in the N. T. universally, any woman indulging in unlawful sexual intercourse, whether for gain or for lust: Matthew 21:31; Luke 15:30; 1 Corinthians 6:15; Hebrews 11:31; James 2:25.

2. Hebraistically (see πορνεία, b. and πορνεύω, 3), metaphorically, an idolatress; so of 'Babylon' i. e. Rome, the chief seat of idolatry: Revelation 17:1, 5, 15; Revelation 19:2.

prostitute, harlot

Feminine of pornos; a strumpet; figuratively, an idolater -- harlot, whore.

see GREEK pornos

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