Verse 14
14. Their shameful acts cannot be justified, but Jehovah knows that the chief fault is not with them; therefore the heaviest punishment will not fall upon the daughters and wives, but upon those leading them astray by their wicked example. Themselves [“they”] The fathers and husbands. Harlots [“prostitutes”] Literally, the consecrated ones (Deuteronomy 23:17-18); that is, women who are consecrated or consecrate themselves to a life of shame in honor of the deity. (See article “Harlot” in Hastings’s Dictionary of the Bible.) On the solemn occasion of sacrifice licentiousness is permitted to have full sway. The rest of the verse is, according to the English translations, an announcement of judgment; because of their corrupt condition the unthinking people shall be overthrown. It is preferable, however, to regard the words as expressing the result of the wickedness of the fathers and husbands, who would be looked upon as leaders; “And so the people that does not consider goes to its ruin.”
That doth not understand Those who do not think for themselves. Daughters are apt to imitate the fathers, wives the husbands.
Shall fall Or, go to ruin. Not through a judgment to come; their present immoralities are their ruin.
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