general signification "to give,"
but in the special one, "to give a reward of whoredom;" in which
signification it cannot be a primitive word, but derived from [Hebrew:
atnh] = [Hebrew: ntN atnh], in the passage under consideration, and in
Ezek. xvi. 34. The supposition of a primitive verb [Hebrew: tnh], with
the signification "to give," is also opposed by the circumstance that
the noun which is said to be derived from it never occurs with the
general signification "gift," but always with the special one, "reward
of prostitution." [Hebrew: atnh] is rather derived from the first pers.
Fut. Kal of the verb [Hebrew: ntN], a "I will-give-thee," similar to
our "forget-me-not." The whore asks, in Gen. xxxviii. 16, [Hebrew:
mh-ttN li] ("what wilt thou give me?"), and the whoremonger answers,
[Hebrew: atN-lK] ("I will give thee"), ver. 18. From this there
originated, in the language of the brothel, a base word for such base
traffic. The sacred writers are not ashamed or afraid to use it. They
speak, throughout, of common things in a common manner; for the vulgar
word is the most suitable for the vulgar thing. The morality of a
people, or of an age, may be measured by their speaking of vulgar
things in a vulgar manner, or the reverse. Wherever, in the language,
the "_fille de joie_" or "_Freudenmaedchen_" has taken the place of the
"whore," a similar change will, in reality, have taken place.
Whatsoever the people of Israel imagined that they received from their
idols, they certainly will not have designated as a "reward of
prostitution," but as a "reward of true love." But the prophet at once
destroys all their pleasant imaginings by putting into their mouths the
corresponding expression,--an expression which must certainly have
sounded very rudely and vulgarly in their tender ears; for the tongue
and the ear become more tender, in the same degree in which the heart
becomes more vulgar. She who imagined herself so tender and
affectionate sees herself [Pg 250] at once addressed as a common
prostitute. The sweet proofs of the heartfelt mutual love which her
"lovers" gave her are called "wages of whoredom." This is indeed a good
corrective for our language, for our whole view of things, for our own
hearts, which are so easily befooled. All love of the world, all
striving after its favour, every surrender to the spirit of the age, is
whoredom. A reward of whoredom, which must not be brought into the
temple of the Lord (for it is an