what is a harlot in the bible

In the Bible, a harlot is a woman who prostitutes her body for hire, or a common woman who forsakes the true God and worships idols. The term is used metaphorically to describe the practice of idolatry. Harlots were common at the time of the Bible, and the Bible teaches that this behavior is wrong. The subject of harlots takes on a darker hue when viewed in the light of the hideous conditions that prevailed in ancient Syria affecting this practice. The Deuteronomic code required that all such "paramours" be banished, and forbade the use of their unholy gains as temple revenue. The Levitical law forbade a priest to take a harlot to wife and commanded that the daughter of a priest who played the harlot should be burned with fire. In the New Testament, the Greek word "pornai," plural, is used to refer to harlots.