Board index ‹ Specific Bible verses, texts, and passages ‹ Deuteronomy

[Newbie]

I have a question about your god: What are the biblical punishments for raping a virgin?

[jimwalton]

In Deut. 22.23-24, the crime is adultery, and the punishment is death. The woman was not raped but complicit.

In Deut. 22.25-26, the penalty for raping a virgin is death.

In Dt. 22.28-29, he must pay a fine and marry her. This is neither sexist nor abusive. In their culture the the unmarried rape victim would have to deal both with the trauma of the act, but would also be stigmatized by her loss of virginity, making her unable to marry. Since marriage was her chance at financial and social security, a rape victim left alone often ended up destitute. The law was actually written to protect women. You can read in 2 Sam. 13.1-20 that a rape-victimized woman didn't think it was sexist to marry her rapist. In their time and culture, marriage in such a situation would be a necessity, and the law protects her by commanding it. Though it's inconceivable in our culture, because our culture works differently, in their culture it was a good thing for the woman. God is combatting the abusive sexual environment of the culture.

I hope that answers your question.