Does the Bible condone rape?
When attacking God and his character people often point to the Bible and say that it not only condones rape but in some cases instructs it and also in other cases orders rape victims to marry their rapists. They will often use Bible verses as evidence for their accusations. I think ( I would hope) most people would agree that rape is morally wrong and therefore if it could be proven that the Bible does actually condone rape then it could very well be argued that as the Bible is the word of God then the God of the Bible would be sanctioning an immoral act which in turn would show that God could not be unequivocally moral. But what does the Bible actually say regarding rape. The Bible certainly doesn’t shy away from this very difficult subject but what does it really say.
Probably the most used chapter in the bible as evidence highlighting the condoning of rape is Deuteronomy 22, specifically verse 25 and verses 28/29 It is said that these passages prove that rape is condoned in the bible. It’s important that we understand the verses and not simply take them at face value.
Lets have a look at verse 25
Deuteronomy 22-25
But if out in the country a man happens to meet a young woman pledged to be married and rapes her, only the man who has done this shall die. NIV
The NIV uses the word rapes in this verse as does the NLT, ISV and NET bible
“But if the man meets the engaged woman out in the country, and he rapes her, then only the man must die. NLT
“If a man meets a girl in the country who is engaged to be married and then rapes her, the man alone—the one who had sexual relations with her—must die. ISV
But if the man came across the engaged woman in the field and overpowered her and raped her, then only the rapist must die. NET bible
The ESV however uses the word seizes
“But if in the open country a man meets a young woman who is betrothed, and the man seizes her and lies with her, then only the man who lay with her shall die. ESV
The KJV goes with force as does the NASV and the ASV
But if a man find a betrothed damsel in the field, and the man force her, and lie with her: then the man only that lay with her shall die: KJV
“But if in the field the man finds the girl who is engaged, and the man forces her and lies with her, then only the man who lies with her shall die. NASV
But if the man find the damsel that is betrothed in the field, and the man force her, and lie with her; then the man only that lay with her shall die: ASV
Although using different words each version would appear to be referencing a man that has sex with a woman without her consent or in other words rape.
The Hebrew word translated
wə-he-ḥĕ-zîq-
comes from the root word chazaq. Strong’s Concordance 2388 defines the word to mean, to be or grow firm or strong, strengthen
This word is used in verses such as 2 Samuel 15-5
Also, whenever anyone approached him to bow down before him, Absalom would reach out his hand, take hold of him and kiss him. NIV
When people tried to bow before him, Absalom wouldn’t let them. Instead, he took them by the hand and kissed them.NLT
And whenever a man came near to pay homage to him, he would put out his hand and take hold of him and kiss him. ESV
And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him.KJV
And Daniel 11-7`
“One from her family line will arise to take her place. He will attack the forces of the king of the North and enter his fortress; he will fight against them and be victorious. NIV
“And from a branch from her roots one shall arise in his place. He shall come against the army and enter the fortress of the king of the north, and he shall deal with them and shall prevail. ESV
But out of a branch of her roots shall one stand up in his estate, which shall come with an army, and shall enter into the fortress of the king of the north, and shall deal against them, and shall prevail: KJV
The translations would imply some strong physical contact or force.
Although the word does not specifically mean the act of rape when put into context with the rest of the passage a man forcing or the implying of the strength of the man the NIV, NLT, ISV and NET bibles usage of the word rape in this verse would therefore not be an inappropriate translation.
It is a fair assumption to say that verse 25 is talking about sex by use of force or rape. But is it actually condoning it. We will notice that the end of the verse states in all versions that the man /rapist should die and him alone. If we look at verse 26
Do nothing to the woman; she has committed no sin deserving death. This case is like that of someone who attacks and murders a neighbour, NIV
Do nothing to the young woman; she has committed no crime worthy of death. She is as innocent as a murder victim. NLT
But you shall do nothing to the young woman; she has committed no offence punishable by death. For this case is like that of a man attacking and murdering his neighbour, ESV
But you shall do nothing to the girl; there is no sin in the girl worthy of death, for just as a NASV
But unto the damsel thou shalt do nothing; there is in the damsel no sin worthy of death: for as when a man riseth against his neighbour, and slayeth him, even so is this matter: KJV
As for the young lady, don’t do anything to her. The young lady did nothing worthy of death. This case is similar to when a man attacks his countryman and kills him. ISV
You must not do anything to the young woman–she has done nothing deserving of death. This case is the same as when someone attacks another person and murders him, NET bible
but unto the damsel thou shalt do nothing; there is in the damsel no sin worthy of death: for as when a man riseth against his neighbor, and slayeth him, even so is this matter; ASV
All these versions agree that the woman in verse 25 has done nothing wrong. She has not sinned but has been sinned against. A rapist is likened to a murderer and should receive the punishment of a murderer, the death penalty.
So we see that here the bible not only clearly condemns the act of rape but orders the most sincere of punishments to be handed out to the rapist.
That leaves us with verses 28/29
Deuteronomy 22_28. If a man happens to meet a virgin who is not pledged to be married and rapes her and they are discovered, 29 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. NIV
It seems pretty clear that these 2 verses are also referencing rape and state that a man must pay the father of the woman he rapes 50 shekels and she must become his wife forever. This would seem very unfair and not at all moral. A woman who has been raped must then be forced to marry the man who has raped her. It would seem that the Bible does not only in fact condone rape but also gives a rapist a way of marrying any woman that he wishes as long as she is not already betrothed to another man. It would also seem to directly contradict what the bible had stated regarding rape just 3 verses earlier.
How do we answer this, is there an explanation.
Let’s look at some of the other versions of the bible and how they translate these verses.
The ISV and the NET Bible both also translate the verse and use the word rape
“However, if a man meets a girl who isn’t engaged to be married, and he seizes her, rapes her, and is later found out, 29 Furthermore, he must marry her. Because he had violated her, he is to not divorce her as long as he lives. ISV
Suppose a man comes across a virgin who is not engaged and overpowers and rapes her and they are discovered. 29 The man who has raped her must pay her father fifty shekels of silver and she must become his wife because he has violated her; he may never divorce her as long as he lives. NET bible
The ESV,and NASV translate the verse using seizes
“If a man meets a virgin who is not betrothed, and seizes her and lies with her, and they are found, 29 then the man who lay with her shall give to the father of the young woman fifty shekels of silver, and she shall be his wife, because he has violated her. He may not divorce her all his days. ESV
“If a man finds a girl who is a virgin, who is not engaged, and seizes her and lies with her and they are discovered, 29 then the man who lay with her shall give to the girl’s father fifty shekels of silver, and she shall become his wife because he has violated her; he cannot divorce her all his days. NASV
The NLT simply uses intercourse
22 28″Suppose a man has intercourse with a young woman who is a virgin but is not engaged to be married. If they are discovered,·29 he must pay her father fifty pieces of silver. Then he must marry the young woman because he violated her, and he may never divorce her as long as he lives. NLT
While the KJV, ERV, ASV translate the verse using the words lay hold on.
If a man find a damsel that is a virgin, which is not betrothed, and lay hold on her, and lie with her, and they be found; 29 Then the man that lay with her shall give unto the damsel’s father fifty shekels of silver, and she shall be his wife; because he hath humbled her, he may not put her away all his days. KJV
If a man find a damsel that is a virgin, which is not betrothed, and lay hold on her, and lie with her, and they be found; 29 then the man that lay with her shall give unto the damsel’s father fifty shekels of silver, and she shall be his wife, because he hath humbled her; he may not put her away all his days. ERV
If a man find a damsel that is a virgin, that is not betrothed, and lay hold on her, and lie with her, and they be found; 29 then the man that lay with her shall give unto the damsel’s father fifty shekels of silver, and she shall be his wife, because he hath humbled her; he may not put her away all his days. ASV
We can see that not all the Bible versions use Rape. So which is the correct translation. Is rape the correct word to use in these verses.
The Hebrew word that has been translated rape, seize and lay hold of is ū-ṯə-p̄ā-śāh from the root word Taphas . We see that this is a different word than the word translated as rape in verse 25. According to Strong’s Concordance 8610 Taphas means to to lay hold of, wield. It like the word in verse 25 doesn’t mean the act of rape. But is rape the more accurate translation in this passage.
There are 65 occasions that this word is used in the Bible. Here are just a couple of examples
Genesis 4 21
His brother’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all who play stringed instruments and pipes. NIV
His brother’s name was Jubal, the first of all who play the harp and flute. NLT
His brother’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all those who play the lyre and pipe. ESV
The word has been translated as play in the NIV, NLT and the ESV, while the KJV translates it as handle
And his brother’s name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ.
In Deuteronomy 21 19 The NIV translates the word as Hold of, the NLT as take and the ESV also as hold of
his father and mother shall take hold of him and bring him to the elders at the gate of his town. NIV
n such a case, the father and mother must take the son to the elders as they hold court at the town gate. NLT
then his father and his mother shall take hold of him and bring him out to the elders of his city at the gate of the place where he lives, ESV
The KJV translates it again as hold on
Then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place; KJV.
The versions that translate the word as rape in Deuteronomy 22 28 do not translate any of the other 64 occurrences of the word as rape.
It is also important to mention that unlike in verse 25 where the man alone is condemned and the woman is pronounced innocent verse 28 does not distinguish between the man and woman and instead states if THEY be found or THEY be discovered. There is no distinguishing between the man and the woman.
It is again important to highlight that the woman is not betrothed to another man so this woman is basically a single woman. Why is this part important. If we have a look at verses 23/24 we will see that it is dealing with the exact same situation as verse 28 consensual sex between a man and a woman but the woman is already betrothed and so is committing adultery.
23 If a man happens to meet in a town a virgin pledged to be married and he sleeps with her, 24 you shall take both of them to the gate of that town and stone them to death–the young woman because she was in a town and did not scream for help, and the man because he violated another man’s wife. You must purge the evil from among you.NIV
23 Suppose a man meets a young woman, a virgin who is engaged to be married, and he has sexual intercourse with her. If this happens within a town,24 you must take both of them to the gates of that town and stone them to death. The woman is guilty because she did not scream for help. The man must die because he violated another man’s wife. In this way, you will purge this evil from among you. NLT
23 If there is a betrothed virgin, and a man meets her in the city and lies with her, 24 then you shall bring them both out to the gate of that city, and you shall stone them to death with stones, the young woman because she did not cry for help though she was in the city, and the man because he violated his neighbor’s wife. So you shall purge the evil from your midst.ESV
23 If there is a girl who is a virgin engaged to a man, and another man finds her in the city and lies with her, 24 then you shall bring them both out to the gate of that city and you shall stone them to death; the girl, because she did not cry out in the city, and the man, because he has violated his neighbor’s wife. Thus you shall purge the evil from among you.NASV
23 If a damsel that is a virgin be betrothed unto an husband, and a man find her in the city, and lie with her; 24 Then ye shall bring them both out unto the gate of that city, and ye shall stone them with stones that they die; the damsel, because she cried not, being in the city; and the man, because he hath humbled his neighbour’s wife: so thou shalt put away evil from among you.KJV
23 If a man meets a young virgin lady engaged to be married in the city and has sexual relations with her, 24 then the two must be brought to the city gate and there they must be stoned to death—the girl because she was in a city but did not cry out for help, and the man who abused a woman who was engaged to another man. By doing this you are to remove this evil from among you.ISV
23 If a virgin is engaged to a man and another man meets her in the city and has sexual relations with her, 24 you must bring the two of them to the gate of that city and stone them to death, the young woman because she did not cry out though in the city and the man because he violated his neighbor’s fiancee; in this way you will purge evil from among you.NET bible
23 If there be a damsel that is a virgin betrothed unto a husband, and a man find her in the city, and lie with her; 24 then ye shall bring them both out unto the gate of that city, and ye shall stone them to death with stones; the damsel, because she cried not, being in the city; and the man, because he hath humbled his neighbor’s wife: so thou shalt put away the evil from the midst of thee.ASV
In this case both the man and the woman are to blame and because of the act of adultery both are to be punished equally.
The punishment in verse 28 though is that the man must pay the woman’s father 50 shekels of silver and marry the woman. There is no punishment of death for either party. The man has had sex with the woman. We can safely say that the sex depicted in this verse when this verse is put together with an understanding of the culture and customs of the time and we get a clearer picture of what is being referenced and explained in verses 28 and 29 was consensual.
It was custom at the time that sex was a part of marriage. A man and a woman would not have sex until they were betrothed or engaged to one another and many times not until after the actual wedding ceremony. It is worth stating that a Hebrew betrothal was unlike an engagement today, as soon as a couple had agreed to marry each other this was normally arranged by the fathers for a mutually beneficial arrangement, then they would officially by Hebrew law be husband and wife even though the wedding itself may not take place for a year or so. They would in all essence be man and wife. It was also custom at the time that the father of the bride would be paid a dowry payment for his daughter. This being because he was losing a member of his household who would contribute to household chores. This expected payment would be more if the woman was a virgin.
The man and woman have simply been caught having no strings attached but consensual sex. This was forbidden under Hebrew law and so the man would have been expected to honour the woman and marry her. The reason the man must pay the father the 50 shekels is because he has basically circumvented the dowry payment by having sex without a betrothal and marriage. He has also devalued any future dowry payment the father would likely receive for his daughter if she was to marry someone else as she is no longer a virgin.
This is further supported in Exodus 22-16/17
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. NIV
16 If a man seduces a virgin who is not engaged to anyone and has sex with her, he must pay the customary bride price and marry her. 17 But if her father refuses to let him marry her, the man must still pay him an amount equal to the bride price of a virgin.NLT
16 If a man seduces a virgin who is not betrothed and lies with her, he shall give the bride-price for her and make her his wife. 17 If her father utterly refuses to give her to him, he shall pay money equal to the bride-price for virgins. ESV
16And if a man entice a maid that is not betrothed, and lie with her, he shall surely endow her to be his wife. 17 If her father utterly refuse to give her unto him, he shall pay money according to the dowry of virgins.KJV
This was not a woman being forced to marry her rapist but 2 people who had been having mutually consensual sex being made to formalise the relationship and get married.
When we understand the verses in the correct context, traditions and correct translation we will see that these verses are not condoning rape in fact it is highly condened. Verses 28 and 29 as shown in the KJV is actually condemning casual but consensual sex and the KJV shows the argument that God is condoning rape is therefore false.