אֶתְנָה
𐤀𐤕𐤍𐤄
ʼethnâh
H866 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A gift or payment, specifically referring to the fee or wages given to a prostitute for her services. The term emphasizes the transactional nature of the exchange, highlighting the payment as compensation or reward for acts of fornication or prostitution. Used almost exclusively for the price or earnings obtained through sexual commerce.
Semantic Range
payment to a prostitute, harlot's fee, wages of prostitution, reward (specifically for sexual services)
Root / Etymology
From the root תנה (to give, bestow, offer). 'אֶתְנָה' is a feminine noun formation indicating 'that which is given'; specifically, a thing given in exchange. While the root can have a broader sense of giving or bestowing, this noun became specialized for payments related to prostitution.
Historical & Contextual Notes
'אֶתְנָה' occurs rarely in the Hebrew Bible (e.g., Genesis 38:16, Ezekiel 16:31, 34). It is used to denote the specific monetary or material reward paid to a prostitute, in contrast to general terms for gifts or wages such as מַתָּנָה (gift) or שָׂכָר (wages). The term’s specificity underscores the economic and transactional dimension of prostitution in the ancient Israelite context, especially in contrast to cultic prostitution and temple offerings, for which prohibitions are articulated (cf. Deuteronomy 23:19 [Eng. v. 18], as 'hire of a prostitute'). English translations often use 'hire,' 'wages,' or 'fee,' but these may obscure the technical nature of the term referring specifically to prostitution-related compensation. In later Hebrew and post-biblical writings, the term is less common, but the root sense of giving in exchange persists. Care should be taken in distinguishing 'אֶתְנָה' from broader or more general payment terms, as its biblical use is almost always restricted to sexual commerce.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from תָּנָה; a present (as the price of harlotry); reward.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
תנה (t-n-h) — give, bestow, offer
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H866-01 |
אֶתְנָ֥ה | etenah | HNcfsa |
hire | prostitute’s fee | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H866-01 |
Hosea 2:14 | אֶתְנָ֥ה | etenah | HNcfsa |
hire | prostitute’s fee |