קָדֵשׁ (qa.desh)
qa.desh
male cult prostitute
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The noun qadesh refers specifically to a male cult prostitute, a figure associated with pagan religious rites in the ancient Near East. The Brown-Driver-Briggs lexicon notes that while the masculine form denotes a man, the feminine counterpart qedeshah identifies a female temple prostitute, establishing a clear gender distinction within this specialized vocabulary.
Scripture mentions this term only four times, primarily in historical narratives rather than poetic or prophetic texts. It appears in 1 Kings and 2 Kings to describe practices condemned by kings like Hezekiah and Josiah, as well as in Job 36:14. These passages highlight the word’s heavy theological weight, linking it directly to idolatrous worship that Israel was commanded to reject.
Translators typically render qadesh as "male cult prostitute" or "temple prostitute" to distinguish this role from general sexual immorality. The term implies a sacred function within pagan religions, where sexual acts were viewed as part of ritual devotion. This specific usage underscores the biblical prohibition against mixing worship of Yahweh with the practices of surrounding nations.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word qadesh points to a specific role within ancient pagan worship, where sexual acts were treated as sacred rituals. Scripture records this practice not as a neutral cultural detail, but as a direct violation of the covenant between God and Israel. By linking idolatry with physical impurity, the text makes it clear that true devotion cannot be mixed with the practices of surrounding nations.
For your faith today, this word serves as a stark reminder of the need for exclusive loyalty to God. It challenges us to examine our own lives for any hidden compromises or divided allegiances. The biblical call is not merely to avoid specific acts, but to keep our worship pure and undivided.
When we read about kings like Josiah removing these figures from the temple, we see a commitment to restoring proper reverence. This history invites us to consider what we might need to remove from our own hearts to ensure that our relationship with God remains clear and focused on Him alone.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ male cult prostitutes2×
- cult prostitute[s]1×
- among the/ temple prostitutes1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- קָדֵ֖שׁ1×
- הַ/קְּדֵשִׁ֖ים1×
- הַ/קְּדֵשִׁ֔ים1×
- בַּ/קְּדֵשִֽׁים\׃1×
Key Verses
-
I Kings 14:24
There were also sodomites in the land. They did according to all the abominations of the nations which Yahweh drove out before the children of Israel.
This verse places qadesh among the abominations of the nations, showing how deeply idolatry was tied to ritualized sexual immorality in the ancient world.
-
I Kings 15:12
He put away the sodomites out of the land, and removed all the idols that his fathers had made.
King Asa’s removal of the qadesh demonstrates a royal effort to cleanse the land of specific pagan practices that had infiltrated Israelite society.
-
II Kings 23:7
He broke down the houses of the male shrine prostitutes that were in Yahweh’s house, where the women wove hangings for the Asherah.
Josiah’s destruction of the shrine houses highlights how these practices had actually entered the temple in Jerusalem, requiring a drastic purification of God's house.
-
Job 36:14
They die in youth. Their life perishes among the unclean.
Elihu uses the term to describe the fate of the proud and unclean, linking their spiritual state with physical death and divine judgment.