Leviticus 19:29

CHAPTER XIX.

Strumpet, which was done formerly in the honour of idols. "They gave to Venus the prostitution of their daughters." (St. Augustine, City of God xviii. 5.) "In Cyprus they lead the unmarried women to the sea-shore, in order to acquire a dowry by these means on certain stated days, as a libation to Venus." (Justin.) --- Such things were common in the East. See Lucian de dea Syr.; Strabo xvi.) -- Joel (iii. 3,) reproaches the Jews with prostituting their sons and daughters for bread; for there were also effeminate men among them. (3 Kings xiv. 24.; 4 Kings xxiii. 7.) See Baruch vi. 42.; Osee iv. 14. (Calmet)