What does the Bible say about rape? The Bible’s stance on rape is clear: it deplores the practice and condemns those who engage in it. In this article you will find out about what does god say about truth in the bible
In Deuteronomy 22:28-29, God says, “If a man happens to meet a virgin who is not pledged to be married and rapes her and they are discovered, he shall pay her father fifty shekels of silver.” In other words, if you rape a woman, you need to pay her father some money. You will also read about does god say you have to read the bible.
In II Peter 2:14-15, Peter writes that “God wants you to be holy and pure, so that you may help him spread his knowledge all over the world.” He continues by saying, “You mustn’t let evil people lead you into doing evil things.”
What Does The Bible Say About Rape
The Bible does address the issue of rape. As expected, when the Bible mentions the crime of rape, it is depicted as a gross violation of God’s design for the treatment of the human body (Genesis 34). The Bible condemns rape whenever it is mentioned. For example, there is a particular passage in the laws given to the nation of Israel before entering the Promised Land under Joshua’s leadership. This passage (Deuteronomy 22:23–29) spoke directly against forcing a woman into a sexual encounter against her will, or what we know today as rape. This command was meant to protect women and to protect the nation of Israel from committing sinful actions.
Deuteronomy 22:23–27 gives guidelines on what constituted rape and specifies the punishment for a man who raped a betrothed woman. In a sexual assault, the betrothed woman was responsible to actively resist the rapist, if possible—she was to “scream for help” (Deuteronomy 22:24). If she failed to resist when she could have done so, the law viewed the situation as consensual sex, not rape, and both parties were guilty. If the assault took place in an isolated area, the law gave the woman the benefit of the doubt, assuming she had resisted her attacker, and she was not held culpable (Deuteronomy 22:27). The law stipulated that a rapist was to be killed by stoning (Deuteronomy 22:25). Though the Mosaic Law was for the nation of Israel during the time of Moses, the principle is clear that rape is sinful in the eyes of God and, under the law, led to the most extreme punishment possible—death for the rapist.
There are some difficult passages in the Old Testament in relation to this issue. One is Deuteronomy 22:28–29, “If a man happens to meet a virgin who is not pledged to be married and rapes her and they are discovered, he shall pay her father fifty shekels of silver. He must marry the young woman, for he has violated her. He can never divorce her as long as he lives.” If the rape victim was not betrothed, then the rapist faced different consequences.
We must see Deuteronomy 22:28–29 through the lens of ancient culture. In those days, social convention treated women poorly. They couldn’t own property. They couldn’t get a job to support themselves. If a woman had no father, husband, or son, she had no legal protection. Her options were slavery or prostitution. If an unmarried woman wasn’t a virgin, it was extremely difficult for her to get married. If she wasn’t marriageable, her father didn’t have much use for her.
God’s punishment on the rapist of a virgin—a monetary fine and lifelong responsibility—was designed to deter rape by holding the rapist responsible for his actions. He ruined her life; it was his responsibility to support her for the rest of her life. This may not sound fair to modern ears, but we don’t live in the same culture they did. In 2 Samuel 13, Prince Amnon raped his half-sister, Tamar. The horror and shame of being violated yet unmarried made Tamar beg him to marry her (her half-brother!), even after he had rejected her. And her full-brother, Absalom, was so disgusted with the situation that he murdered Amnon. That’s how highly virginity in women was prized back then.
Critics of the Bible also point to Numbers 31 (and similar passages) in which the Israelites were allowed to take female captives from nations they conquered. Critics say this is an example of the Bible’s condoning or even promoting rape. However, the passage says nothing about raping the captive women. It is wrong to assume that the captive women were to be raped. The soldiers were commanded to purify themselves and their captives (verse 19). Rape would have violated this command (see Leviticus 15:16–18). The women who were taken captive are never referred to as sexual objects. Did the captive women likely eventually marry amongst the Israelites? Yes. Is there any indication that rape or sex slavery was forced upon the women? Absolutely not.
In the New Testament, rape is not mentioned directly, but within the Jewish culture of the day, rape would have been considered sexual immorality. Jesus and the apostles spoke against sexual immorality, even offering it as justifiable grounds for divorce (Matthew 5:32).
Further, the New Testament is clear that Christians are to obey the laws of their governing authorities (Romans 13). Not only is rape morally wrong; it is also wrong according to the laws of the land. As such, anyone who would commit this crime should expect to pay the consequences, including arrest and imprisonment.
To the victims of rape, we must offer much care and compassion. God’s Word often speaks about helping those in need and in vulnerable situations. Christians should model the love and compassion of Christ by assisting victims of rape in any way possible.
People are responsible for the sins they commit, including rape. However, no one is beyond the grace of God. Even to those who have committed the vilest of sins, God can extend forgiveness if they repent and turn from their evil ways (1 John 1:9). This does not remove the need for punishment according to the law, but it can offer hope and the way to a new life.
The Bible is a very large book, and it has a lot to say about many different topics. However, the Bible does not specifically mention rape as a crime or sin.
The Bible mentions sexual violence several times, but only in relation to rape committed by men against women. In these instances, God’s response is clear: He does not condone this type of behavior.
God commands men to love their wives as Christ loves the Church (Ephesians 5:25). When husbands respond lovingly to their wives and treat them with compassion, it shows Christ’s love for His bride—the Church. This kind of relationship between husband and wife is an example of God’s love for us as humans. When we behave in ways that show compassion towards others (especially those who are vulnerable), we are imitating God’s own character and showing His love on earth.
What Does God Say About Truth In The Bible
“Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free,” Jesus promised (John 8:32). That’s a wonderful guarantee worth taking to heart, especially if you’re in desperate need of healing from whatever ails you at the moment. But what, exactly, does it entail to be truthful?
Something must be true in order for it to be known. For centuries, people have mistakenly believed the myths that the earth is flat and that the sun revolves around the earth. They had faith without knowledge.
The Bible makes numerous references to truth and draws connections between it and God. In fact, “God is truth” is included in the definition of “truth” in “Harper’s Bible Dictionary.” Christian Science, the practice Jesus used to cure people, holds this understanding of God. Truth is one of several terms that Mary Baker Eddy uses interchangeably with God in “Science and Health With Key to the Scriptures.” The others are Life, Love, Principle, Soul, Mind, and Spirit. So, knowing the truth is equivalent to knowing God. The best way to achieve this goal is to devote time each day to learning about Him through study and prayer. In every way, he is good, and he only knows good. It is written in the Bible that God “is of purer eyes than to behold evil” (Habakkuk 1:13). The specific truths about God’s creation that you can discover will dispel any harmful ideas you may be holding, as well as any negative physiological effects they may be having on you.
True claims can be demonstrated. How do you show that you have truly broken free from your troubling (false) beliefs? Here’s an example. Shortly after I graduated from college, I began having migraine headaches. When I first started having attacks, I would immediately go to bed and “know the truth” until I fell asleep. I can’t remember exactly how I prayed. Somehow, I got the idea that I could justify not feeling pain. God could never feel or know pain. Even as His image (Genesis 1:26), I had no access to such knowledge or sensation. I knew that “man is not material; he is spiritual” (Science and Health, Pg. 468), and therefore that matter (flesh and disease) could make no conditions for me.
The third time I had a migraine, I felt so awful that I almost went to bed. However, I opted to stay up and read some material on Science and Health to better my understanding of the truth. If the truth from the Bible wasn’t explained in that book, I wouldn’t have believed it could heal me, and I wouldn’t have tried to read anything else either. At first, it was very tough for me to keep my mind on one thing. But I soon became so engrossed in what I was reading about God’s perfect creation and His uninterrupted care for all His children, including me, that these truths permeated my thinking. As soon as I finished the book, I was liberated. The illness left me and I recovered. Furthermore, I have not experienced any kind of headache in the forty or so years since then.
The first piece of spiritual truth about any issue is that evil can’t be true because God is unaware of it. Knowing that everyone is a child of God, reflecting His nature, and that any disturbing behavior is not part of a person’s identity as a child of God can be helpful in times of relationship difficulty.
For many people, the first step toward spiritual wholeness is the same: a firm declaration of oneness with God, who is good alone, and a denial of evil (on the basis of evil’s unreality in truth). However, the particular spiritual facts that must be known are context-dependent. God will reveal the truth to those who seek it with earnestness and perseverance, and this will change the course of our lives for the better.
Anyone who makes the effort to pray will eventually attain wisdom. And with this comes independence. Additionally, a worldwide directory of Christian Science practitioners, whose sole occupation is healing through prayer, is published in each issue of The Christian Science Journal.
Does God Say You Have To Read The Bible
There are times when reading the Bible feels like a chore. It’s not always easy to make heads or tails of the archaic language and writing style. Not to mention there are a lot of pages in it. Nobody has the luxury of time these days. Besides, is it necessary to study the Bible? After all, isn’t that what the pastor and Sunday school teacher are for?
Last question answered with a resounding “No!” We may not have time in our busy schedules. At times, the content may be difficult to grasp, leaving you to wonder how it relates to your life. The truth, however, is that there is no way around or substitute for serious Bible study. However, if you put in the effort, you will reap incalculable benefits.
Reading the Bible is required first and foremost because it is God’s command. In the Bible, God commands his people to memorize scripture and to always have it with them. Just the fact that God commands it of us would be enough to convince anyone to read the Bible. However, there are other compelling arguments for making it a regular habit.
We frequently feel lost and in need of direction. Taking a break from our hectic schedules and into some peace and quiet may be exactly what we need. We believe that if we could communicate with God, He would make things simpler. The Bible, of course, is the word of God. As such, it is one of the channels through which He imparts His will to us.
That book has solutions to every issue and answers to every question we could ever have. The truth lies within, whether we choose to recognize it or not. Anytime we need peace, it’s in there. Some of your most peaceful moments of clarity will be when you are spending quiet time studying the Word.
Maybe you’re happy and just want to share your joy. The Bible has that, as well. It is also very often a conversation starter. You read. A prayer is made. You start a conversation with God about the book you’re reading, full of questions. You will be amazed to find that God responds to your prayers.
Stop and Ask for Directions
Think about driving to an appointment downtown in a big city. You gave the directions a quick scan but didn’t make a note of them or enter them into your GPS. It’s not a big deal. You’re familiar with the area because you’ve been there before. It seems like you have some idea of the way to go. However, once you get downtown in the thick of traffic, you start doubting if you’re going the right way. Things don’t look exactly how you remember them.
You make a U-turn and have to go around the block to get back on track. Now you’re late because you’re stuck behind the one person who dared to drive ten miles per hour slower than the posted limit. You’ve now arrived late, frustrated, and so incensed that you can’t think straight. When you don’t bother to take the extra five minutes to read the directions and print them out, you end up having a terrible day.
This is the result of not studying the Bible. Everything God has ever told us about how to live our lives is contained in the Bible. Usually, we can guess its contents pretty accurately. We’re familiar with that place. We have an idea of where we’re going…. Until, that is, we are smack in the middle of our chaotic lives.
If you don’t know the way to God, how can you get there? Furthermore, how you can lead others to God if you can’t give them complete directions? It’s not enough to know the basics. You have to study the Bible in order to learn the complete set of directions God has given us.
There Has to Be an Easier Way
I wish there were a shortcut or a substitute for reading the Bible. We go to church, we go to Sunday school, and we listen to the preacher teach us about what’s in the Bible. We have unlimited access to information and advice on the Internet. There are even whole channels devoted to sharing the Gospel. There is, however, no substitute for digging into God’s Word on your own.
It’s not necessary for erudition to guarantee that your preacher or Sunday school teacher is always right. Having been taught in a certain way does not automatically make it right. That which your faith teaches as a matter of doctrine is not necessarily true. Your actions are entirely on your shoulders. The best leaders never have followers.
There are numerous erroneous beliefs floating around out there. To keep us from God, the Bible says God allows certain people to enter our lives. There are also valid but incorrect interpretations of God’s word that exist. It’s impossible to recognize false teachings or erroneous interpretations of the Bible if you don’t know the Bible well.
God, not human religious leaders or teachers, deserves all of your faith and trust. Believe the Bible, not your religion. No one is flawless. In other words, the Bible. Remembering detailed directions in advance will prevent you from getting lost and wasting time.
The Bible discusses a variety of topics, including sexual immorality, but it’s important to read these verses in the context of their respective cultures and historical periods. While the Bible does contain stories of sexual assault, it is crucial to remember that these chapters describe events rather than offer advice on how one should behave. Rape is a serious transgression. Furthermore, the legal and cultural framework of the era differs greatly from modern norms.
The following are some scriptural allusions that allude to sexual impropriety in a roundabout way:
Deuteronomy 22:25–27 (ESV): “However, if a man encounters a young woman who is engaged while out in the open, and he takes hold of her and lays with her, only he will perish. However, you are not allowed to harm the young lady because she hasn’t done something that would result in death. Since he approached her in the open countryside and no one responded to the betrothed young woman’s cries for help, this case is similar to that of a guy attacking and killing his neighbor.”
In the instance of a betrothed lady, this chapter highlights the significance of permission and makes a distinction between consensual relationships and violent acts.
- ESV: 2 Samuel 13:1-22
There is rape in the account of Amnon and Tamar in 2 Samuel. Such stories should be approached sensitively, acknowledging that they are reflections of historical events rather than endorsements or justifications of the deeds depicted.
“But he would not listen to her, and being stronger than she, he violated her and lay with her.”
This story explains the terrible results of Amnon’s aggressive behavior and the ensuing discord in the family.
- [Exodus 34:1–7 (ESV)]:
The narrative of Dinah, Jacob’s daughter, includes a sexual assault incident. Once more, it is essential to understand these stories in the context of their historical and cultural setting.
“And when Shechem the son of Hamor the Hivite, the prince of the land, saw her, he seized her and lay with her by force.”
This poem describes a sexual assault episode and its convoluted aftermath.
Although these verses deal with specific cases of sexual assault, it’s crucial to remember that the Bible does not offer a thorough ethical or legal framework about the subject. Sexual assault and rape are generally condemned in modern society, and laws are put in place to deal with these offenses.
It is advised that you handle these biblical verses delicately, and if you have any worries or inquiries concerning the moral ramifications of sexual assault, you might want to consult academics, counselors, or other religious authorities in your community.
Does the Bible discuss rape?
Because the Old Testament rules were written in the context of that specific society, the problem of rape in the Bible is not easily understood. It’s important to comprehend two specific cultural mores:
- It was quite challenging for a non-virgin woman to locate a husband; and
- Because women’s standing was so low, a male representative—especially a son—was necessary for their well-being.
In addition, we must weigh the descriptive verses that only recount human behavior against the prescriptive sections that represent God’s will.
Deuteronomy 22:25–29 contains the Mosaic Law pertaining to rape. Verses 25–27 describe a man who rapes an engaged woman he discovers in a field. The man would die as a punishment. A man who rapes an unmarried lady is mentioned in verses 28–29. Exodus 22:16–17 states that he must wed her if her father approves. In any case, he must pay the “bride price,” which guarantees her security for the rest of her life. Should the victim and her father concur that marriage is the right path, the guy must never degrade her by divorcing her.
Old Testament punishment frequently prioritized monetary compensation over emotional closure, despite the regulations seeming weird to modern ears. Because she was exempt from moral obligations, the engaged woman was able to tie the knot with her partner and guarantee both her happiness and her chances of becoming a mother of a son. Regarding the single woman, although she would likely be deemed unmarried, she was self-sufficient financially and retained the opportunity (via her father) to enter into matrimony and have a son.
The circumstance mentioned in Deuteronomy 22:23–24 has been the subject of some controversy. In this instance, the guy and the betrothed woman are to be executed. However, this isn’t a rape situation. Since women were highly prized for remaining virgins on their wedding night, it is expected that if a woman is attacked in a city, she will call out for assistance, and since cities were sufficiently populated, someone will come to her aid. Consensual sex is when she doesn’t cry out.
How strongly did the cultural norms hold? Tamar urged David to marry her after his son Amnon sexually assaulted her (2 Samuel 13). His power was so great. Being unmarried and experiencing a breach of trust was too much to bear. It wasn’t the rape that caused her to rend her robe and cover her hair in ashes; rather, it was his refusal to marry her.
Her response is descriptive, giving an account of a specific circumstance inside the culture. It is not prescriptive and does not represent God’s position on rape.
The Bible’s references to battle in Numbers 31 are among the more alarming chapters regarding rape. Israelite men were permitted to select virgins from among their adversaries and either marry or take them as concubines following a fight. Again, the law protects women by ensuring their needs are met even while society forbade them from owning property or operating independent enterprises without a man’s supervision. Did rape happen in these situations? Definitely. However, the Scriptures do not support the act anywhere.
The New Testament contains no references to rape. Sex was only for married couples (Matthew 19:1–12), husbands were expected to love their wives sacrificially (Ephesians 5:25–28), and sexual purity applied to both men and women (Matthew 5:27–32). It is likely that Jews in the time of the New Testament obeyed certain of the Old Testament regulations to such an extent that they didn’t require reminders. (Paul, however, stuck to the fundamentals—keep your pants on—because the Gentiles were so sexually deviant!)
Biblical ideals apply to us now, even while the Old Testament’s prohibitions against rape do not. According to Romans 13, rape is prohibited by several local legislation. Jesus declared that a husband and wife should be the only ones having sex, while Paul urged husbands to show their spouses selfless love. Jesus mentioned the heart and mind while discussing sexual purity. A woman who has experienced sexual assault is called “violated,” but she is never called filthy, impure, or unclean; she is dishonored by others, but she is never without honor. Although rape causes a significant deal of emotional damage, the Bible never says that it changes a person’s nature.
Furthermore, it should be noted that rape frequently involves more aggression and control than sexual activity. The Bible does, in fact, forbid violent attack in both the Old and New Testaments. In His Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5:21–26, Jesus takes a step further and addresses the mental and emotional states that give rise to acts of violence, criticizing the spiral from rage to insult to contempt. People are valued and endowed with worth and dignity by God. A person insults the dignity of the victim when they commit rape. The victim’s worth is unaffected even though it is one of the worst insults someone can inflict on another. It is evident that although rape causes psychological, emotional, and bodily trauma, no one has the right to diminish the value of another person.
The life and teachings of Jesus Christ provide rape victims comfort and hope. Even though the path is difficult and drawn out, He is dependable. Rapists can find forgiveness and hope in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. We will pay a price in this life for both our own transgressions and those done against us. However, Jesus offers healing and forgiveness and has paid the price for all sins. According to 1 Corinthians 6:9–11, 13:12–13, and Philippians 1:6, everyone who places their faith in Him will one day be entire in Him.