Topical Encyclopedia Throughout the biblical narrative, the treatment of women during times of war is a somber reflection of the fallen nature of humanity and the brutal realities of ancient warfare. The Scriptures provide several accounts where women, often the most vulnerable members of society, suffered greatly during military conflicts. These accounts serve as a stark reminder of the consequences of sin and the need for divine justice and mercy.Deuteronomy 20:10-14 In the Mosaic Law, specific instructions were given regarding the treatment of cities that were conquered. While the Israelites were commanded to offer terms of peace, if a city refused and was subsequently captured, the men were to be put to the sword. However, the women, children, livestock, and everything else in the city could be taken as plunder. This directive highlights the harsh realities of war, where women were often seen as part of the spoils. Judges 5:30 The Song of Deborah, a victory hymn, provides insight into the expectations of warriors regarding the treatment of women. In this passage, the mother of Sisera, a Canaanite commander defeated by the Israelites, imagines her son dividing the spoils of war, including "a girl or two for each man." This reflects the common practice of taking women as captives and concubines, a fate that awaited many women in defeated cities. 2 Samuel 12:11-12 The prophet Nathan, in his rebuke of King David for his sin with Bathsheba, foretells that David's own wives would be given to his neighbor, who would lie with them in broad daylight. This prophecy, fulfilled during Absalom's rebellion, underscores the vulnerability of women in times of political upheaval and the personal consequences of David's actions. Lamentations 5:11 The Book of Lamentations mourns the destruction of Jerusalem and the suffering of its people. In this context, it is noted that women in Zion were violated, and virgins in the towns of Judah were abused. This lamentation captures the deep sorrow and trauma experienced by women during the Babylonian conquest, highlighting their suffering as part of the broader devastation. Isaiah 13:16 In the prophetic declaration against Babylon, Isaiah foretells the brutal treatment that would befall the city, stating, "Their infants will be dashed to pieces before their eyes, their houses will be looted, and their wives will be ravished." This prophecy illustrates the severe cruelty that characterized ancient warfare and the particular vulnerability of women during such times. Zechariah 14:2 The prophet Zechariah speaks of a future siege of Jerusalem, where the city will be captured, houses ransacked, and women ravished. This prophecy, while pointing to a specific event, also serves as a broader symbol of the trials and tribulations that God's people would face, with women often bearing the brunt of the suffering. Historical Context and Theological Reflection The treatment of women in war, as depicted in the Bible, reflects the harsh realities of ancient Near Eastern warfare. Women were often seen as property and were subjected to the whims of the victors. These accounts, while difficult to read, are part of the larger biblical narrative that reveals the brokenness of humanity and the need for redemption. From a theological perspective, these passages underscore the consequences of sin and the pervasive nature of human depravity. They also highlight the importance of God's justice and the hope for a future where such injustices will be no more. The biblical narrative ultimately points to the coming of Christ, who brings healing and restoration, offering a kingdom where peace and righteousness reign. Nave's Topical Index Deuteronomy 32:25The sword without, and terror within, shall destroy both the young man and the virgin, the suckling also with the man of gray hairs. Nave's Topical Index Lamentations 2:21 Lamentations 5:11 Library Women who Witnessed the Fall of Rome The Last Siege of the Jews under Adrian. Appeal to the Christian Women of the South The Burning of Athens. The Holy War, The Subsequent Wickedness of Licinius, and his Death. The Puritan Conflict. The First Crusade (Ad 1095-1099) St. Athanasius, The Conversion of Paul. Resources What does the Bible have to say about women missionaries? | GotQuestions.orgWhat can we learn from what the Bible says about Jesus and women? | GotQuestions.org Since women preachers can be just as good as men, doesn't that mean they are called to preach? | GotQuestions.org Women: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Women are Courteous to Strangers Women are Tender to Her offspring Women of the Body (Ekklesia) of Christ Women: A Persian Queen Sat on a Throne Beside Her King Women: Active in Instigating to Iniquity Women: As Prophets: Philip's Four Unmarried Daughters Women: Athaliah, in Destroying the Royal Household and Usurping the Throne Women: Bath-Sheba, in Her Adultery, in Becoming the Wife of Her Husband's Murderer Women: Consecrated Jewels to Tabernacle Women: Converted by Preaching of Paul Women: Could not Marry Without the Consent of Parents Women: Deborah, a Judge, Prophetess, and Military Leader Women: Delilah, in Her Conspiracy Against Samson Women: Difference in Ceremonies Made Between Male and Female Children Women: Dinah, in Her Fornication Women: Eve, in Yielding to Temptation and Seducing Her Husband Women: Fall of, and Curse Upon Women: First to Whom the Risen Lord Appeared Women: Fond of Self-Indulgence Women: Forbidden to Wear Men's Costume Women: Gomer, the Adulterous Wife of Hosea Women: had Separate Apartments in Dwellings Women: Haman's Wife, in Advising Him to Hang Mordecai Women: Hannah, the Mother of Samuel Women: Help in Defensive Operations Women: Herodias, in Her Incestuous Marriage With Herod Antipas Women: Herodius, by Indirectly Causing John the Baptist to be Decapitated Women: Jezebel, in Her Conspiracy Against Naboth, to Cheat Him out of his Vineyard Women: Jezebel, in Her Evil Counsels To, and Influence Over, Ahab Women: Jezebel, in Her Persecution and Destruction of the Prophets of the Lord Women: Jezebel, in Her Persecution of Elijah Women: Job's Wife, in Suggesting to Him That he Curse God and Die Women: Leah, in Her Imitation of Rachel in the Matter of Children Women: Lot's Wife, in Her Rebellion Against Her Situation, and Against the Destruction of Sodom Women: Michal, in Her Derision of David's Religious Zeal Women: Miriam, in Her Sedition With Aaron Against Moses Women: Not to be Given in Marriage Was Considered a Calamity Women: Patriotic: The Women of Israel Women: Patriotic: The Women of the Philistines Women: Peninnah, the Wife of Elkanah, in Her Jealous Taunting of Hannah Women: Potiphar's Wife, in Her Lascivious Lust and Slander Against Joseph Women: Property Rights of in Inheritance Women: Property Rights of To Sell Real Estate Women: Punishment for Seducing, when not Betrothed Women: Punishment to be Inflicted Upon Men for Seducing, when Betrothed Women: Purifications of After Childbirth Women: Purifications of After Menstruation Women: Rachel, in Her Jealousy of Leah Women: Rachel, in Stealing Images Women: Religious Privileges of, Among Early Christians Women: Required to Attend to the Reading of the Law of Moses Women: Rules for Dress of Christian Women: Sapphira, in Her Blasphemous Falsehood Women: Sarah, in Her Jealousy and Malice Toward Hagar Women: Silly, and Easily Led Into Error Women: Social Status of in Persia Women: Social Status of in Roman Customs Women: Sold for Husband's Debts Women: Solomon's Wives, in Their Idolatrous and Wicked Influence Over Solomon Women: Symbolical of Wickedness Women: Tended Flocks and Herds Women: The Cannibalistic Mothers of Samaria Women: The Daughters of Lot, in Their Incestuous Lust Women: The Midianite Woman in the Camp of Israel, Taken in Adultery Women: The Philippian Christians Women: The Shunammite Woman, Who Gave Hospitality to Elisha Women: The Sodomites of the Southern Kingdom (Judah) Women: The Widow Who Put Her Two Mite (Small Coins, Greek: Leptas) Into the Treasury Women: The Woman Caught in the Act of Adultery and Brought to Jesus in the Temple Women: Took Part in Ancient Worship Women: Treated With Cruelty in War Women: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Women: Virtuous, Held in High Estimation Women: Wicked: Commits Forgery Women: Wicked: Full of Deceit and Licentiousness Women: Wicked: Silly and Wayward Women: Wicked: Zeal of, in Licentious Practices of Idolatry Women: Widow of Zarephath, Who Fed Elijah During the Famine Women: Worshiped in Separate Compartments Women: Zealous in Promoting Superstition and Idolatry Women: Zipporah, in Her Persecution of Moses on Account of his Religious Obligations Related Terms Women-servants (21 Occurrences) |