Heilige Huren und päderastische Priester? Eine Annäherung an die Semantik von קָדֵשׁ im Alten Testament

Abstract

This paper deals with the problem of the Hebrew term קָדֵשׁ. It is usually associated with temple prostitution in Ancient Israel, although evidence for temple prostitution in Israel is missing. After a summary of the myth of sacred prostitution, as it was ‘invented’ by researchers of the 19th and 20th century, the paper gives an analysis of the ten instances in the Old Testament where the term occurs. Instead of a conclusion, the author offers a thesis about the origin and use of the term קָדֵשׁ. Originally a broad term for priestly personnel, it developed into an insult, which has more sexual than cultic connotations.