Topical Encyclopedia The account of the rape of the servant of a Levite by the Benjamites is a harrowing narrative found in the Book of Judges, specifically in Judges 19. This event is a significant episode in the history of Israel, illustrating the moral and social decay during the period when "there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Judges 21:25).Context and Background The account unfolds during the time of the judges, a period marked by cycles of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance. The narrative begins with a Levite from the hill country of Ephraim who takes a concubine from Bethlehem in Judah. After a period of estrangement, the Levite travels to Bethlehem to persuade her to return with him. Upon reconciliation, they set out on their journey back to Ephraim. The Incident at Gibeah As night falls, the Levite and his concubine, along with his servant, seek lodging in the town of Gibeah, which belongs to the tribe of Benjamin. Initially, no one offers them hospitality, a breach of the cultural norms of hospitality in ancient Israel. Eventually, an old man, also from the hill country of Ephraim, invites them into his home, warning them not to spend the night in the town square. While they are enjoying the old man's hospitality, "wicked men" of the city surround the house, demanding that the Levite be brought out so they can abuse him. The host pleads with them not to commit such an atrocity, offering instead his own virgin daughter and the Levite's concubine. The men refuse, and the Levite ultimately sends his concubine outside to them. The men of Gibeah abuse her throughout the night, and she collapses at the doorstep of the house. Aftermath and Consequences In the morning, the Levite finds his concubine at the door, lifeless. He places her body on his donkey and returns home. In a shocking act intended to rally the tribes of Israel, he dismembers her body into twelve pieces and sends them throughout the territory of Israel. This gruesome act serves as a call to arms, uniting the tribes against the tribe of Benjamin. The tribes of Israel gather at Mizpah, and after seeking the LORD's guidance, they demand that the Benjamites hand over the perpetrators. The Benjamites refuse, leading to a civil war. The conflict results in the near annihilation of the tribe of Benjamin, with only 600 men surviving. The Israelites, struck by the near extinction of one of their tribes, devise a plan to provide wives for the remaining Benjamites, ensuring the tribe's survival. Theological and Moral Implications This narrative highlights the depths of moral depravity and lawlessness that can occur when a society turns away from God's commandments. The absence of centralized leadership and the failure to adhere to God's law result in chaos and violence. The account serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of sin and the need for righteous leadership and adherence to divine law. The account also underscores the importance of hospitality and the protection of the vulnerable, values deeply embedded in the fabric of Israelite society. The failure of the Benjamites to uphold these values leads to their downfall and serves as a cautionary tale for future generations. References · Judges 19-21, Berean Standard Bible · Cultural and historical context of ancient Israel during the period of the judges Nave's Topical Index Judges 19:22-30Now as they were making their hearts merry, behold, the men of the city, certain sons of Belial, beset the house round about, and beat at the door, and spoke to the master of the house, the old man, saying, Bring forth the man that came into your house, that we may know him. Nave's Topical Index Judges 20:35 Resources What does the Bible say about sexual assault? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about anal sex? What is sodomy according to the Bible? | GotQuestions.org What is sexual ethics? | GotQuestions.org Rape: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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