You are correct. It never mentions rape anywhere. I used that term in relationship to a 3-year old, which I thought was clear. I apologize if it wasn't.
The text speaks of forbidden relationships, and he was being fined for taking something without paying for it first as part of an ownership contract. And since a na'arah is a girl as young as three, could one call it was just a romantic fling? Although some Christian texts do insert rape, because the ones who studied see it as a possibility based on other verses, and the possibility of excessive youth.
But you are right, nowhere does the bible insert the word for rape. There is one passage that infers threat, but that only is to exonerate the woman from being killed. Rape is never mentioned. God couldn't care less, because the concept of rape did not exist as we know it. It was about ownership and theft. Women were property to be used and sold back then.
God is concerned about vagina ownership, though. If bought, she cannot give it, and he cannot take it, or there is death. If not bought and he takes it, he stole it and has to pay a penalty. And if not bought and she was not a virgin, then there is no penalty or forced marriage since she was already "used goods."
I brought up rape because it is something that the modern mind can grasp with a young girl. To try to describe a situation where a man can have sex with a 3 year old and call it anything but rape is difficult. She could be older. Maybe 6, 9, 11. Pick an age where you are comfortable that a 20 year old man can copulating with a girl. Maybe you like "statutory rape" instead of "rape". But that is our modenr mindset, since it was not uncommon to be engaged to a 3-year old, and pick up the goods when she was old enough to start breeding.
But in the Bible, God is not interested if the man forced himnself or not. He's just interested in the market value of her hymen.
The text speaks of forbidden relationships, and he was being fined for taking something without paying for it first as part of an ownership contract. And since a na'arah is a girl as young as three, could one call it was just a romantic fling? Although some Christian texts do insert rape, because the ones who studied see it as a possibility based on other verses, and the possibility of excessive youth.
But you are right, nowhere does the bible insert the word for rape. There is one passage that infers threat, but that only is to exonerate the woman from being killed. Rape is never mentioned. God couldn't care less, because the concept of rape did not exist as we know it. It was about ownership and theft. Women were property to be used and sold back then.
God is concerned about vagina ownership, though. If bought, she cannot give it, and he cannot take it, or there is death. If not bought and he takes it, he stole it and has to pay a penalty. And if not bought and she was not a virgin, then there is no penalty or forced marriage since she was already "used goods."
I brought up rape because it is something that the modern mind can grasp with a young girl. To try to describe a situation where a man can have sex with a 3 year old and call it anything but rape is difficult. She could be older. Maybe 6, 9, 11. Pick an age where you are comfortable that a 20 year old man can copulating with a girl. Maybe you like "statutory rape" instead of "rape". But that is our modenr mindset, since it was not uncommon to be engaged to a 3-year old, and pick up the goods when she was old enough to start breeding.
But in the Bible, God is not interested if the man forced himnself or not. He's just interested in the market value of her hymen.
“I've done everything the Bible says — even the stuff that contradicts the other stuff!"— Ned Flanders
