Author: Academia.edu, ORCID, ResearchGate

Abstract: »The objective of this article is to probe gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF) by appealing to a biblical text, viz., Judges 19–21, that depicts one of the most gruesome acts of violation of women in the Bible. It then attempts to extract sense, purpose and resolution in a South African society that is replete and affected with broken and hopeless women and girl children who are victims of rape, murder and dehumanisation by asking pertinent questions of ‘agency’, namely, who is fighting their wars against the perpetrators, and what is the punishment against the perpetrators which might serve as a deterrent to this scourge. It argues that women in South Africa continue to be victims of seemingly unabated, vicious acts of gender-based violence (GBV). The search for a lasting solution remains a serious but illusive mirage. In search for a lasting solution, the article juxtaposes the biblical text with the ongoing war by the Israeli Defence Forces against Hamas’ obstinate resistance. The findings are premised on the exegesis of the biblical text using Contextual Bible Study and missiological praxis cycles.« (Source: HTS Teologiese Studies)

Contents:

	Introduction (p. 1)
	Research techniques and methodology (p. 2)
		The Praxis Cycle (p. 2)
		Contextual Bible study (p. 3)
	The story of the Levite’s Concubine in Judges 19–21 (p. 3)
		On the text itself, reading of Judges 19–21 (p. 3)
		A summary of the Judges 19–21 (p. 3)
	On the text (a focus on the text as a literary composition), applying the Praxis Cycle (p. 4)
		‘Agency’ in Judges 19–21, and on the text perspective: An interrogation (p. 4)
		The rapists of Gibeah (p. 4)
		The heinous act: The rape of the Levite’s concubine (p. 4)
	The Levite seeks retribution by gruesome means (p. 4)
		The retribution (p. 5)
		A Statistical overview of Judges 19–21 civil war (p. 5)
		Theological analysis of Judges 19–21 (p. 5)
			Political – A nation without a king in dire straits (p. 5)
			Religious – The religious identity of Israel and the presence of God (p. 6)
			Economic: The cost of retribution and a grim picture of fatherless families (p. 6)
	Reflections, recommendations and conclusion (p. 6)
		Tackling gender-based violence and femicide Israel’s way (p. 6)
		Provoking a response, the Levite’s way (p. 7)
		A survey on whether gruesome pictures evoke any response (p. 7)
		Crime and retribution (p. 7)
		Spirituality, indignity and shame (p. 8)
	Acknowledgements (p. 8)
	Competing interests (p. 9)
	Author’s contribution (p. 9)
	Ethical considerations (p. 9)
	Funding information (p. 9)
	Data availability (p. 9)
	Disclaimer (p. 9)
	References (p. 9)

Wikipedia: Ancient history: History of ancient Israel and Judah | Bible: Hebrew Bible / Book of Judges, Judges 19 | Bible: Rape in the Hebrew Bible / Levite's concubine | Sex and the law: Rape / Gang rape