Today’s question is, “What does the Bible say about rape?” In this video
I’ll answer that question from a biblical perspective. Then afterwards, as always,
I’ll share some helpful resources, so stick around until the end.
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. 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. 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. This does not remove
the need for punishment according to the law, but it can offer hope and the way to a new life.
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