What did Moses say about rapists?

[tonychanyt]

Deut 22:

22 If a man is found lying with another man’s wife, both the man who slept with her and the woman must die. You must purge the evil from Israel.

If a man raped a married woman against her will, he must die.

25 But if the man encounters a betrothed woman in the open country, and he overpowers her and lies with her, only the man who has done this must die.

If a man raped a betrothed woman, he must die.

28 If a man encounters a virgin who is not pledged in marriage, and he seizes her and lies with her, and they are discovered, 29 then the man who lay with her must pay the young woman’s father fifty shekels of silver, and she must become his wife because he has violated her. He must not divorce her as long as he lives.

Ex 22:

16 If a man seduces a virgin who is not pledged to be married and sleeps with her, he must pay the bride-price, and she shall be his wife. 17 If her father absolutely refuses to give her to him, he must still pay the bride-price for virgins.

If a man raped a virgin, he must pay the dowry and marry her unless her father objected to the marriage.

 

[Reluctant Theologian]

Deut 22:


If a man raped a married woman against her will, he must die.


If a man raped a betrothed woman, he must die.


Ex 22:


If a man raped a virgin, he must pay the dowry and marry her unless her father objected to the marriage.

Exodus 22:16 does not refer to a man having sex with a virgin against her will. The word 'seduce' pāṯâ / H6601 is used which suggests the absence of force. It seems the Torah tries to distinguish between rape and pre-marital sex - observe also the difference with Deuteronomy 22:25 where we find an explicit reference to being overpowered.

In Genesis 34:2 Dinah (Jacob & Leah's daughter) was 'taken' and 'humiliated' by Shechem - most interpret that as being raped, but even that is not fully certain. Her purity/honour as a virgin was defiled. Still the reaction of Jacob's sons, killing all men in Shechem's town, speaks volumes and is in stark contrast with Exodus 22:16.

The Torah/Israelite/Jewish status of being betrothed is much more than the modern concept of being engaged - it was basically regarded as a yet unconsummated marriage.

 

[tonychanyt]

Exodus 22:16 does not refer to a man having sex with a virgin against her will. The word 'seduce' pāṯâ / H6601 is used which suggests the absence of force. It seems the Torah tries to distinguish between rape and pre-marital sex - observe also the difference with Deuteronomy 22:25 where we find an explicit reference to being overpowered.

In Genesis 34:2 Dinah (Jacob & Leah's daughter) was 'taken' and 'humiliated' by Shechem - most interpret that as being raped, but even that is not fully certain. Her purity/honour as a virgin was defiled. Still the reaction of Jacob's sons, killing all men in Shechem's town, speaks volumes and is in stark contrast with Exodus 22:16.

The Torah/Israelite/Jewish status of being betrothed is much more than the modern concept of being engaged - it was basically regarded as a yet unconsummated marriage.

Thanks for sharing.

So what happened to a man who raped an unbetrothed virgin?

 

[Reluctant Theologian]

Thanks for sharing.

So what happened to a man who raped an unbetrothed virgin?

The Torah does not say that explicitly but it would amount to theft / defilement / violation of a father's daughter, destroying her honour/purity and her 'value' in bride price terms for the father. Killing the whole town as retribution for Dinah's humiliation was even considered overkill by Jacob, but apparently it was not something to be simply skipped over with wedding.

If raping an unbetrothed virgin was a safe and guaranteed method of getting any woman a man would like regardless of consent, society would fall apart.

Sex is designed to be part of marriage; all else is missing the mark and thus sinful - pre-marital sex is suboptimal, extra-marital sex is dangerous, extra-marital sex without consent is evil.

 

[tonychanyt]

The Torah does not say that explicitly

What about
28 If a man encounters a virgin who is not pledged in marriage, and he seizes her and lies with her, and they are discovered, 29 then the man who lay with her must pay the young woman’s father fifty shekels of silver, and she must become his wife because he has violated her. He must not divorce her as long as he lives.

 

[Reluctant Theologian]

What about
28 If a man encounters a virgin who is not pledged in marriage, and he seizes her and lies with her, and they are discovered, 29 then the man who lay with her must pay the young woman’s father fifty shekels of silver, and she must become his wife because he has violated her. He must not divorce her as long as he lives.

The existence of verse 28 in addition to verse 16 would suggest this is a different class of offence; also the high bride-price of 50 shekels underscores this (some estimate this to be 200 days of labour in those days). The word used for 'seize' H8610 is an intentional physical action (the same word is used by Potiphar's wife when she 'seized' Joseph's garment), yet still opinions differ on whether this was full-on rape.

What is your opinion?

 

[tonychanyt]

The existence of verse 28 in addition to verse 16 would suggest this is a different class of offence; also the high bride-price of 50 shekels underscores this (some estimate this to be 200 days of labour in those days). The word used for 'seize' H8610 is an intentional physical action (the same word is used by Potiphar's wife when she 'seized' Joseph's garment), yet still opinions differ on whether this was full-on rape.

Good point

What is your opinion?

See What does the Bible say about rape?

 

[th1bill]

Deut 22:


If a man raped a married woman against her will, he must die.


If a man raped a betrothed woman, he must die.


Ex 22:


If a man raped a virgin, he must pay the dowry and marry her unless her father objected to the marriage.

Moses was filled with Ruah and therefore God said.

 

[Diamond7]

If a man raped a married woman against her will, he must die.

In this state the man must have verbal consent and she has to be sober. In the Bible she has to cry out for help or put up a fight. The Rabbi do teach the young "Jewish" girls how to be pure and chase. Free of charge.