Do not have sexual relations with women not married by means of a marriage agreement and sanctification

The Literal Commandment

None of the daughters of Israel shall be a cult prostitute, nor shall any of the sons of Israel be a cult prostitute. (Deuteronomy 23:17)

 

This commandment literally says that none of the daughter of Israel should be a cult prostitute.

The general meaning is "there shall be no licentious women of the daughters of Israel" (i.e. they should be married before having sexual relations).

 

Messiah Says

Messiah implicitly affirmed this commandment when He spoke about the Law:

"Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:17-19)

 

He also affirmed the concept of marriage in general:

Some Pharisees came to Jesus, testing Him and asking, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason at all?" And He answered and said, "Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE, and said, 'FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH'? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate." (Matthew 19:3-6)

 

Pictures of Messiah

This commandment that there shall be no licentious women among the daughters of Israel pictures Messiah's call to purity and the sanctification of life to G-d for those who believe in Him.

The phrase "licentious woman" is translated from a Hebrew word that relates to individuals (both male and female) who are involved in idolatry and cult prostitution as part of their worship of false gods.

 

How Messiah Fulfilled

Although no specific reference is given in Scripture, we know Messiah obeyed the commandments completely and was without sin (Hebrews 4:15). Messiah fulfilled this commandment by not having sexual relations with women to whom He was not married.

 

Traditional Observance

The traditional understanding of this commandment is the logical extension of the literal commandment.

The literal commandment is "there shall be no licentious women of the daughters of Israel."

G-d commands men to marry women and to be fruitful and multiply. If the men are to marry then they cannot marry a licentious woman from the daughter of Israel... there shouldn't be any licentious women from the daughters of Israel.

The preferred form of the marriage is by marriage agreement (see the traditional observance of the previous commandment) to a woman who is a virgin and has not been licentious.

 

Other Notes

We are able to fulfill this commandment today and, whether they are natural born daughters (or sons!) of Israel or those who are grafted in, they should not be licentious.

 

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Commandment Details

  • Mishneh Torah # 123
  • Mishneh Torah Book # 4
  • Mishneh Torah Book Women
  • Mishneh Torah Category 20- Marriage
  • Reference Deuteronomy 23:17
  • Scripture Book Deuteronomy
  • Chapter 23
  • Verse 17
  • English None of the daughters of Israel shall be a cult prostitute, nor shall any of the sons of Israel be a cult prostitute.
  • Hebrew לֹא-תִהְיֶה קְדֵשָׁה, מִבְּנוֹת יִשְׂרָאֵל; וְלֹא-יִהְיֶה קָדֵשׁ, מִבְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל.
  • Greek (23:18) Οὐκ ἔσται πόρνη ἀπὸ θυγατέρων Ισραηλ, καὶ οὐκ ἔσται πορνεύων ἀπὸ υἱῶν Ισραηλ· οὐκ ἔσται τελεσφόρος ἀπὸ θυγατέρων Ισραηλ, καὶ οὐκ ἔσται τελισκόμενος ἀπὸ υἱῶν Ισραηλ.
  • Parashah 49- Ki Tetze
  • Positive/Negative Negative
  • Sefer Hachinuch # 570
  • Sef. Hach. Command That there should be no 'harlot' in Jewry, no woman conjugally intimate out of wedlock
  • Category Marriage and Family
  • We can fulfill today Yes

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