Topical Encyclopedia In the ancient Near Eastern context, women were often considered part of the spoils of war, a practice reflected in several biblical narratives. This view was not unique to Israel but was common among the surrounding nations. The treatment of women as war booty is addressed in the Mosaic Law, which sought to regulate and mitigate the harsh realities of warfare.Biblical Instances and Regulations 1. Numbers 31:9-18: In the aftermath of the battle against the Midianites, the Israelites took women and children captive. The Lord instructed Moses to purify the camp and to deal with the captives according to specific guidelines. The young women who had not known a man were spared and taken as part of the spoils. This passage highlights the practice of taking women as captives but also shows the attempt to impose order and sanctity in the process. 2. Deuteronomy 21:10-14: The Mosaic Law provides specific instructions for the treatment of female captives. If an Israelite warrior desired to take a captive woman as his wife, he was required to follow a procedure that included allowing her to mourn her family for a month and treating her with dignity. If he later decided not to marry her, he was to let her go free and not sell her as a slave. This regulation aimed to protect the dignity and rights of the captive woman, reflecting a more humane approach compared to the practices of surrounding nations. 3. Judges 5:30: In the Song of Deborah, the mother of Sisera is depicted as expecting her son to return with spoils, including "a girl or two for each man." This reflects the common expectation of women being taken as part of the war booty. The narrative underscores the cultural norms of the time, where women were often seen as prizes to be distributed among victors. 4. 1 Samuel 30:1-2: The Amalekites attacked Ziklag and took the women and children captive. David's subsequent pursuit and recovery of the captives demonstrate the value placed on retrieving women and children, emphasizing their importance beyond mere spoils. Theological and Ethical Considerations The biblical texts that address the taking of women as war booty must be understood within their historical and cultural context. The laws given to Israel sought to introduce a measure of justice and compassion in a world where such practices were rampant. The regulations provided by Moses aimed to protect the dignity of women and ensure they were treated with respect, even in the harsh realities of war. From a theological perspective, these passages reflect the fallen state of humanity and the need for divine guidance in regulating human behavior. The Bible's overarching narrative points to a higher ethic, where all individuals, regardless of gender, are valued as bearers of the image of God. The New Testament further develops this theme, emphasizing the equal worth and dignity of all people in Christ (Galatians 3:28). In summary, while the practice of taking women as war booty was a reality in the ancient world, the biblical regulations sought to mitigate its impact and uphold the dignity of women within the constraints of the time. Torrey's Topical Textbook Deuteronomy 20:14But the women, and the little ones, and the cattle, and all that is in the city, even all the spoil thereof, shall you take to yourself; and you shall eat the spoil of your enemies, which the LORD your God has given you. Torrey's Topical Textbook 1 Samuel 30:2 Library The Story of Panthea. The Eighteenth Theban Dynasty Pagan Shrines and Temples. The Sibylline Oracles. The Close of the Theban Empire The Eighteenth Theban Dynasty --(Continued) Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ... Of Antichrist, and his Ruin: and of the Slaying the Witnesses. The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria Resources Is it appropriate for a woman to propose to a man? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the story of Elisha and the Shunammite woman? | GotQuestions.org Can a Christian woman consider getting breast implants / breast augmentation? | GotQuestions.org Woman: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Woman of Distinction: Fair and Graceful Woman of Distinction: Fond of Dress and Ornaments Woman of Distinction: Haughty in Their Deportment Woman of Distinction: Wore Their Hair Plaited and Adorned With Gold and Pearls Woman of the Poorer Classes Swarthy from Exposure to the Sun Woman were Required to Hear and Obey the Law Woman: (At Ease and Careless) of a State of Carnal Security Woman: (Chaste and Holy) of Saints Woman: (Delicate) of Backsliding Israel Woman: (Foolish) of Mere Professors Woman: (Forsaken) of Israel in Her Captivity Woman: (Gloriously Arrayed) of the Church of Christ Woman: (Lewd) of the Roman Apostasy Woman: Allowed to Join in the Temple-Music from the Time of David Woman: Considered a Valuable Booty in War Woman: Frequently: Active in Instigating to Iniquity Woman: Frequently: Fond of Self-Indulgence Woman: Frequently: Silly and Easily Led Into Error Woman: Frequently: Subtle and Deceitful Woman: Frequently: Zealous in Promoting Superstition and Idolatry Woman: Generally Lived in a Separated Apartment or Tent Woman: Generally Wore a Vail in the Presence of the Other Sex Woman: Good and Virtuous, Described Woman: had a Court of the Tabernacle Assigned to Them Woman: Loving and Affectionate Woman: Often Engaged in Agriculture Woman: Often Engaged in Attending Funerals As Mourners Woman: Often Engaged in Celebrating the Victories of the Nation Woman: Often Engaged in Domestic Employments Woman: Often Engaged in Drawing and Carrying Water Woman: Often Engaged in Embroidery Woman: Often Engaged in Grinding Corn Woman: Often Engaged in Spinning Woman: Often Engaged in Tending Sheep Woman: Often Treated With Great Cruelty in War Woman: Origin and Cause of the Name Woman: Originally Made by God in his own Image Woman: Originally Made for Man Woman: Originally Made: from One of Adam's Ribs Woman: Originally Made: Subordinate to Man Woman: Originally Made: To be an Helpmeet for Man Woman: Originally Made: To be the Glory of Man Woman: Punishment for Injuring, when With Child Woman: Safety in Childbirth Promised to the Faithful and Holy Woman: Salvation Promised Through the Seed of Woman: Submissive and Respectful to Husbands Woman: Tender and Constant to Her offspring Woman: To be Governed By, Considered a Calamity by the Jews Woman: To be Slain By, Considered a Great Disgrace Woman: To Wear Her Hair Long As a Covering Woman: Unfaithfulness of, when Married Found out by the Waters of Woman: Virtuous, Held in High Estimation Woman: Vows of, when Married not Binding Upon the Husband Woman: Young of Distinction, Dressed in Robes of Various Colours Woman: Young: Could not Marry Without Consent of Parents Woman: Young: Fond of Ornaments Woman: Young: Inherited Parents' Property when There Was No Male Heir Woman: Young: Kind and Courteous to Strangers Woman: Young: Not to be Given in Marriage Considered a Calamity Woman: Young: Often Taken Captive Woman: Young: Often Treated With Great Cruelty in War Woman: Young: Punishment for Seducing when not Betrothed Woman: Young: Punishment for Seducing, when Betrothed Woman: Young: Required to Learn from and Imitate Their Elders Related Terms Woman-servant (12 Occurrences) |
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