Scripture names sexual violence as a grave crime against image-bearers, shows God's protection of the violated, and promises His presence to survivors.
Scripture on Rape
Deuteronomy 22:25-27
Old Testament
"But if out in the country a man happens to meet a young woman pledged to be married and rapes her, only the man who has done this shall die. Do nothing to the woman; she has committed no sin deserving death. This case is like that of someone who attacks and murders a neighbor. For the man found the young woman out in the country, and though the betrothed woman screamed, there was no one to rescue her."
2 Samuel 13:1-14
Old Testament
"In the course of time, Amnon son of David fell in love with Tamar, the beautiful sister of Absalom son of David. Amnon became so obsessed with his sister Tamar that he made himself ill. Her virgin status made it impossible for him to do anything to her. Now Amnon had an adviser, a crafty man named Jonadab... So Amnon lay down and pretended to be ill... When she brought the food to him to eat, he grabbed her and said, 'Come to bed with me, my sister.' 'Don't, my brother!' she said to him. 'Don't force me. Such a thing should not be done in Israel! Don't do this wicked thing.' But he refused to listen to her, and since he was stronger than she, he violated her."
Genesis 34:1-4
Old Testament
"Now Dinah, the daughter Leah had borne to Jacob, went out to visit the women of the land. When Shechem son of Hamor the Hivite, the ruler of that area, saw her, he took her and raped her. His heart was drawn to Dinah daughter of Jacob; he loved the young woman and spoke tenderly to her. And Shechem said to his father Hamor, 'Get me this girl as my wife.'"
1 Corinthians 6:18-20
New Testament
"Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies."
Psalm 27:10
Old Testament
"Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me."
The Bottom Line
Rape destroys what God created; God stands with the broken and calls for justice.
Try Today
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, reach out to a trusted person today — a counselor, pastor, or the RAINN hotline (1-800-656-4673). God does not want you to carry this alone.
Prayer
Jesus taught His disciples to cry out to the Father with honest pain (Matthew 26:39), inviting us into His compassion for the suffering.
Father, You see the broken places that violence has torn open in this world. You see the shame that isn't ours to carry, the fear that wakes us, the ways trust was shattered. I bring this to You because You promised not to abandon the wounded. For those who have been violated: heal their bodies, restore their worth, surround them with people who believe and protect them. For those who perpetrate such violence: bring them to repentance and justice. Make us a people who protect the vulnerable, who believe survivors, and who point them to Your redemption. In Jesus' name, Amen.
📚 Read 2 Samuel 13 and Genesis 34 for how Scripture addresses sexual violence directly, naming both the perpetrator's sin and God's concern for the violated.
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