* Genesis 1: 26-27 (2:4-25); Genesis 19:1-29; Leviticus 18:22 (20:13); Romans 1:26-27; I Corinthians 6:9-10; I Timothy 1:9-11
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Old Testament Passages
“Sodomites”
Deuteronomy 23:17; I Kings 14:24; 15:12; 22:46; II Kings 23:7; Job 36:14
The key is understanding the Hebrew word which is translated in the King James Version as “sodomite(s).” In the original language the word is “qadheshim” and it means holy, sacred ones. It was a reference to temple attendants—who used their body as part of worship of cultic deities. (i.e., “temple prostitutes”)
The use of this word in the KJV was more of an interpretation imposed on the passage than an attempt to give the intended message of the Biblical authors. Most modern versions have a better translation.
EXAMPLES:
II Kings 23:7
(NASB) male cult prostitutes
(NIV) male shrine prostitutes
Job 36:14
cult prostitutes
male prostitutes of the shrines
Unfortunately, the word had become part of our language today, so sodomy is considered an act between two men and is a crime in many states. Also, in today’s usage, a sodomite is a male who engages in same-sex activity, usually anal penetration. Since the word exists, and people know what it means, some will still infer that it has to prove that the sin of Sodom was, in fact, homosexuality.
