[FONT="]With this just said, the word which the NIV translates as rape comes from two Hebrew words, [/FONT]taphas[FONT="] and [/FONT]shakab[FONT="]. Here are the meanings listed by the Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon in reference to these two words:[/FONT]
taphas -
# 08610
1) to catch, handle, lay hold, take hold of, seize, wield
a) (Qal)1) to lay hold of, seize, arrest, catch
2) to grasp (in order to) wield, wield, use skilfullyb) (Niphal) to be seized, be arrested, be caught, be taken, captured
c) (Piel) to catch, grasp (with the hands)
AV - take 27, taken 12, handle 8, hold 8, catch 4, surprised 2, misc 4; 65
(Source:
Blue Letter Bible)
[FONT="]Here is one example of how this word is used:[/FONT]
"The priests did not ask, ‘Where is the LORD?’ Those who deal (taphas) with the law did not know me; the leaders rebelled against me. The prophets prophesied by Baal, following worthless idols." Jeremiah 2:8
shakab -
# 07901
1) to lie down
a) (Qal)1) to lie, lie down, lie on
2) to lodge
3) to lie (of sexual relations)
4) to lie down (in death)
5) to rest, relax (fig)b) (Niphal) to be lain with (sexually)
c) (Pual) to be lain with (sexually)
d) (Hiphil) to make to lie down
e) (Hophal) to be laid
AV - lie 106, sleep 48, lie down 43, rest 3, lien 2, misc 10; 212
(Source:
Blue Letter Bible)
[FONT="]As Brown-Driver-Briggs demonstrates, the word can be used in relation to sexual intercourse as well as for other things. The following examples help demonstrate that shakab does not necessarily imply a forced sexual act:[/FONT]
"And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘If any man's wife goes astray and behaves unfaithfully toward him, and a man lies (shakab) with her carnally, and it is hidden from the eyes of her husband, and it is concealed that she has defiled herself, and there was no witness against her, nor was she caught—" Numbers 5:11-13 NKJV
[FONT="]Here, the word shakab refers to a voluntary sexual act between two consenting parties, in this case to a woman who voluntarily chooses to commit adultery. It is clear that the woman in question wasn't forced into having sex. Again:[/FONT]
"If a man lies with a woman so that there is a seminal emission, they shall both bathe in water and be unclean until evening." Leviticus 15:18
[FONT="]These examples clearly demonstrate that these terms do not in and of themselves necessarily imply that rape is in view. This is reflected in the way Deuteronomy 22 has been translated by the following translations:[/FONT]
If a man find a damsel that is a virgin, which is not betrothed,
and lay hold on her, and lie with her, and they be found; KJV
If a man find a damsel that is a virgin, who is not espoused,
and taking her, lie with her, and the matter come to judgment: DOUAY-RHEIMS
If a man shall find a damsel [that is] a virgin, who is not betrothed,
and lay hold on her, and lie with her, and they be found; WEBSTER BIBLE
If a man find a lady who is a virgin, who is not pledged to be married,
and lay hold on her, and lie with her, and they be found; WORLD ENGLISH BIBLE
When a man findeth a damsel, a virgin who is not betrothed,
and hath caught her, and lain with her, and they have been found, YLT
When a man findeth a damsel that is a virgin who is not betrothed,
and layeth hold of her and lieth with her, and they are found, ROTHERHAM
If a man find a damsel that is a virgin, that is not betrothed,
and lay hold on her, and lie with her, and they be found; JPS 1917 OT
"If a man find a damsel who is a virgin who is not betrothed, and lay hold on her and lie with her, and they be found, THIRD MILLENNIUM
If a man find a damsel, a virgin, who is not betrothed,
and lay hold on her, and lie with her, and they be found, DARBY
If a man find a damsel that is a virgin, that is not betrothed,
and lay hold on her, and lie with her, and they be found; AMV
If a man meets a virgin who is not betrothed,
and seizes her and lies with her, and they are found, RSV
If a man meets a virgin who is not engaged,
and seizes her and lies with her, and they are caught in the act, NRSV
If a man finds a girl who is a virgin, who is not engaged,
and seizes her and lies with her and they are discovered, NASB
If a man meets a virgin who is not betrothed,
and seizes her and lies with her, and they are found, ESV
If a man finds a girl who is a virgin, who is not betrothed,
and he seizes her and lies with her and they are found, AMPLIFIED
[FONT="]Suppose a woman isn't engaged to be married, [/FONT]and a man talks her into sleeping with him[FONT="]. If they are caught, CEV[/FONT]