Another Section Dealing with War (see Deuteronomy 20:1; Deuteronomy 21:10-14). Regulations for securing the ceremonial purity of the camp (see Numbers 5:2-4 (P)). The reason stated (Deuteronomy 23:14) is that Yahweh is in the camp (cf. Deuteronomy 20:1); Schwally and others suspect that the original motive is the belief that impurity attracted evil spirits. [J. G. Frazer (Taboo and the Perils of the Soul, pp. 158f.) points out that the rules of ceremonial purity, by which the Hebrew warriors were bound, are identical with rules observed by Maoris and Australian black-fellows on the wai-path. He connects these with the well-known dread lest anything belonging to the person should be procured by an enemy to work destruction by magic. In war the precautions are naturally more rigorous, and warriors are often taboo in the highest degree. A. S.P.] Note the connexion here between physical cleanliness and holiness.
Deuteronomy 23:15 f. Contrast with this law demanding shelter for the runaway slave, CH, §§ 15f., which forbids such shelter (Deuteronomy 15:12-18 *).
Deuteronomy 23:17 f. harlot. sodomite: Heb. a holy woman. a holy man (cf. mg.). Among the Greeks and other ancient nations temple prostitutes were very numerous, as they are in modern India (see JThS, April 1913). They are often called after the Greek name hierodules (see 1 Kings 14:24; 2 Kings 23:7). [R. H. Kennett thinks they were the sacred male slaves of the temples, temporary or permanent embodiments of the deity, possessed from time to time by his divine spirit, acting in his name and speaking with his voice. J. G. Frazer, Adonis Attis Osiris 3, i. 72f. A. S. P.]
Deuteronomy 23:18. dog: a term of contempt among Semites: but hierodules were apparently called dogs among the Phœ nicians (see Driver and Bertholet). hire. wages: many Indian temples are supported mainly from the proceeds of sacred prostitution.
Deuteronomy 23:19 f., p. 112, Exodus 22:25 * (JE); Leviticus 25:36 f. * (H). That a foreigner could be charged interest is stated here only (see Cent.B on Nehemiah 5:1-5). Pledges could be taken from an Israelite (Deuteronomy 24:10-13).
Deuteronomy 23:21-23. On vows, see p. 105, 126* and Numbers 30*.
Deuteronomy 23:23. a freewill offering: see Deuteronomy 12:6 *.
Deuteronomy 23:24 f. Grapes may be plucked and corn taken to be eaten on the spot, but not to be carried away in a bag (see Matthew 12:1 f., Mark 2:23 f., Luke 6:1 f.).