1

Page 33 The X Rated Bible An Irreverent Survey of Sex In The Scriptures

Ben Ed ard A!erley

Table of "ontents
#edication Introduction Preface Prologue

Part $% Incest& I'plied( Single( #ouble And )ultiple

"hapter $% In The Beginning *as Incest "hapter $+ A'non Rapes ,is Sister Ta'ar "hapter $3 -ot .noc!s /p Both ,is #aughters "hapter $0 Absalo'1s #efiant Act 2f )ultiple Incest

Part $+ Sexual Pollution

"hapter $3 2nan1s 4atal 2rgas' "hapter $5 *earing the Rag %6 "hapter $6 #oing the 7asty +% "hapter $8 *et #rea's and *an!ing 9Span!ing the )on!ey: "hapter $; The "lap and 2ther ST#s "hapter %$ Eve1s "urse 4ulfilled

Part $3 ,o'osexuality
"hapter %% -ot Th arts a <ay )ob Assault in Sodo' "hapter %+ #avid1s =uestionable -ove Affair ith >onathan "hapter %3 The -ove That #ares 7ot Spea! Its 7a'e

Part$0 Rape& Solo And <roup

"hapter %0 Reuben Rapes ,is 4ather1s )istress "hapter %3 Sheche'( the Rapist( -oses ,is 4ores!in and ,is -ife "hapter %5 The All 7ight <ang Bang

Part$3 Adultery? Atte'pted( Real And 4orgiven

"hapter %6 Potiphar1s *ife ,its on Teen ,un! >oseph "hapter %8 .ing #avid "o''its Both Adul tery and )urder "hapter %; "ast the 4irst Stone

Part $5 Indecent Exposure( <roup Sex And Exhibitionis'

"hapter +$ 7oah <ets #run! and Exposes ,i'self "hapter +% The Israelites Revel in a Pagan 2rgy "hapter ++ .ing #avid 4lashes ,is Royal Penis

Part $6 7udity And Striptease

"hapter +3 Prophesying in the 7ude "hapter +0 Salo'e Strips for .ing ,erod

Part $8 Prostitution 9Secular And Sacred: And Phallic *orship

"hapter +3 >udah Patroni@es a #isguised ,oo!er "hapter +5 Rahab( the 4avored )ada' of >ericho

"hapter +6 >ehovah "o''ands ,osea to )arry a *hore "hapter +8 "hrist "onverses ith T o *o'en of ill Repute "hapter +; Eli1s ,orny Sons A"hapter 3$ ,ung -i!e a >ac!ass

Part $; Abortion( Pregnancy By Proxy( Sex #rugs And ,usbandBS apping

"hapter 3% >ehovah1s Penalty for Inducing an Abortion "hapter 3+ ,agar( the Baby )a!er "hapter 33 >acob1s 4ertility "ontest

Part %$ "ircu'cision 2f The -iving And The #ead

"hapter 30 >ehovah1s 4ores!in "ovenant "hapter 33 )oses and the 4lying 4ores!in "hapter 35 #avid "ircu'cises T o ,undred Philistine "orpses

Part%% The -o ly Status of *o'en

"hapter 36 Bi@arre Tests for Adultery and for Cirginity

"hapter 38 >ephthah 2ffers ,is #aughter to >ehovah as a ,u'an Sacrifice "hapter 3; The 4e'ale ,and That 4ondles Shall Be "ut 2ff "hapter 0$ T o )aDor *ifeB.idnapping Expeditions "hapter 0% Cirgins as Spoils of *ar "hapter 0+ *o'an *as )ade for )an

Part %+ "atology( Bestiality AAnd "astration

"hapter 03 >ehovah1s Anal 4etish "hapter 00 4orbidden Inti'acies ith Ani'als "hapter 03 SelfB"astration( the Supre'e Sexual Sacrifice

Part%3 Illegiti'acy( "elibacy And Cirgin Birth

"hapter 05 Pity The Poor Bastard "hapter 06 An XBRated .ing Solo'on for .ids "hapter 08 Paul( the "o'pulsive "elibate "hapter 0; The I''aculate #eception

Part %0 Sexual Betrayal

"hapter 3$ A ,oney'oon ith the *rong Bride "hapter 3% Abraha' and Isaac( T o #oubleB#ealing Pi'ps "hapter 3+ 4oxy #elilah #oubleB"rosses Superstud Sa'son "hapter 33 .ing Ahasuerus #itches =ueen Cashti for Esther

Part %3 Sexual Potency And ReDuvenation

"hapter 30 <ideon Sires SeventyB2ne Sons "hapter 33 Solo'onsE Thousand and 2ne *o'en "hapter 35 .ing #avids Revival ith 4e'ale Body 4riction

Part %5 In Praise 2f -ove

"hapter 36 Ruth Propositions Boa@ and Shac!s /p 2vernight in a Barn "hapter 38 Solo'on1s Stea'y Song of -ove

Part %6 Evil Sex And *itchcraft

"hapter 3; "ohabitation ith #evils ++$ "hapter 5$ *itches( *i@ards and 4a'iliar Spirits Epilogue After ord

#edication
This anthology is dedicated in general to the countless nu'ber of persons hose efforts have served as an antidote and a counterforce to the allBtooBnu'erous 'ilitant proBcensorship groups trying desperately to i'pose their narro 'oral vie s on everyone and to curtail our priceless heritage of freedo' of expression in the first republic in history founded on the bedtoc! principle of the absolute separation of state and churchA In particular( it is dedicated to& Ada' Parfrey for his foresight( encourBage'ent and enthusias'A And to the Trevor ,elplineA This hot line provides the nation1s first tollBfree suicide prevention service for Fay( lesbian and uncertain youth 98$$ 83$B8$68:A )ay its continued success help negate the Bible1s pernicious influence and save the lives of troubled teens ho 'ighr other ise succu'b to the 'yth that ho'osexuality is truly Gan abo'ination in the sight of the -ordAG

Introduction
In Septe'ber +3( %;65( during the fervor of the presidential election ca'paign( the follo ing <allup Poll results appeared in ne spapers across the nation&The <allup Poll I In 3 "lai's To Be A 1Born Again1 "hristian by <eorge <allup PRI7"ET27( 7>HThe dra'atic rise to political

pro'inence of >i''y "arter( a GbornBagainG "hristian( has focused attention on the evangelical 'ove'ent in A'ericaA The latest nation ide <allup survey sho s thirtyBfour percent 9one in three: saying they had been Gborn againGHthat is( had a turning point in their lives hen they co''itted the'selves to >esus "hristA This figure proDects to nearly fifty 'illion A'ericans( eighteen and overA A'ong Protestants alone( nearly half 9fortyBeight percent: say they are GbornBagainG "hristians( hich proDects to fortyBthree 'illion adultsA GBornBagainG "hristians( accounting for oneBthird of the elecItorate( represent the core of "arters supportA Although these people tend to be 'ore conservative in political ideology than the elecItorate as a hole( they currently support "arter over President 4ord by a fiftyBeightJthirtyBthree percent 'arginA Although a ide range of churches define the'selves as GevanIgelical(G a GbornBagainG funda'entalist has an outloo! or state of 'ind that pervades the 'e'bership of 'any churches( including the Ro'an "atholic "hurchA About one in five 9eighteen percent: of "atholics says he or she has had a GbornBagainG experienceA Bible Seen as <od1s *ord The survey sho s four in ten persons nation ide 938K:( nearly oneBhalf of Protestants 905K:( and about oneBthird of "atholics F35K: believing the Bible to be the actual ord of <od and to be ta!en literallyA To 'easure conversion efforts( or itnessing( the <allup Poll as!ed a sa'ple of the nation1s adults if they have ever tried to encourage so'eone to believe in >esus "hrist or to accept ,i' as their SaviorA A high proportion ans ered in the affir'ativeH06KA The figure is even higher a'ong Protestants aloneH38KA rFDFrGDtrLArArArDvA1((B(MDFnrAG MLrABiNBAG1JFA1 3ntrobuction xi K A far higher proportion of persons of the evangelical group of churches than a'ong the nonevangelical or 'ainline deno'inations have had a GbornBagainG experience( hold a literal interpretation of the Bible( and itness to their faithA This Ouestion as as!ed first& "o''it'ent to "hrist G*ould you say that you have been 1bornBagain1 or have had a 1bornBagain1 experienceHthat is( a turning point in your life hen you co''itted yourself to "hristPG ,ere are the results nation ide and by !ey groups&

,ave ,ad GBornBAgainG Experience 7ation ide 30K Protestants 08K "atholics %8K )en +8K *o'en 3;K "ollege +6K ,igh School 35K <rade School 0+K %8H+; years +;K 3$B0; years 33K 3$ and over 3;K East +3K )id est 30K South 33K *est +$K The follo ing Ouestion as then as!ed to deter'ine the respondent1s interpretation of the Bible& Respondents )a!e "hoice G*hich one of these state'ents co'es closest to describing your feelings about the BiblePG 9Respondents ere handed a card ith the follo ing state'ents& AA The Bible is the actual ord of <od and is to be ta!en literally( ord for ord? BA The Bible is the inspired ord of <od but not everything in it should be ta!en literally( ord for ord? "A The Bible is an ancient boo! of fables( legends( history and 'oral precepts recorded by 'enA: FfDeFBFateb Bi5fe 1 (T/C And here are the results&

10

A"T/A- *2R# 24 <2# I7SPIRE# *2R# 24 <2# B22. *RITTE7 BQ )E7 727E 24 T,ESE "A71T SAQ 7ation ide 38K 03K %3K %K 3K Protestants 05K 0+K 8K na 0K "atholics 3%K 33K %$K %K 3K )en 33K 03K %5K +K 0K *o'en 0%K 05K ;K %K 3K "ollege %6K 38K ++K na 3K ,igh School 0+K 03K ;K %K 3K <rade School 5$K +3K 6K 3K 6K %8H+; years 3+K 03K %6K +K 0K 3$B0; years 30K 3$K %3K na 3K 3$ and over 03K 0%K ;K %K 0K East +6K 3+K %3K %K 3K )id est 0+K 03K ;K %K 3K South 0;K 3;K ;K na 3K *est 3$K 08K +$K %K %K na is less than %K The poll as a surprising revelation not so 'uch for its infor'ation on the soBcalled GevangelicalG experience( but for the light it cast on conte'porary attitudes to ard the BibleHeightyBthree percent of those polled vie the Bible either as the actual or inspired ord of <odA Since I nu'ber 'yself a'ong the thirteen percent of the populace ho consider the Bible to be nothing 'ore than Gan ancient boo! of fables( legends( history and 'oral precepts recorded by 'en(G 'y thesis in this boo! is that nothing in the Bible 'ore forcefully or co'pe/ingly reinforces this vie point than an obDective and i'partial exa'ination of the Biblical passages hich relate to sexA It is an unpopular position( to be sure( but I a' convinced that the eightyBthree percent of the population ho revere the Bible do so fro' a lac! of fa'iliarity ith its

11

contents in general and its passages relating to sex in particular( for the Bible enDoys a t ofold( albeit paradoxical reputationA 2n the one hand( it is the orlds undisputed( nu'ber one( allBti'e bestBseller ith 'ore than t o billion copies extant in at least %(8$$ languagesA 2n the other hand( it is one of the least read of boo!s and certainly one that fe ever venture to read through fro' cover to coverA )ost Bible reading( therefore( centers on selected passages or favorite portions hich are usually the sa'e excerpts heard fro' the pulpitA That 'uch of the ,oly *rit has a decidedly salacious flavor co'es as a surprise( conseOuently( to the average laypersonA This is also due in no s'all part to the 'aDestic s eep( the grandeur and the 'elodic ring of the great .ing >a'es CersionHthe %5%% translation hich is the one 'ost fa'iliar to the EnglishBspea!ing orldA The lofty seventeenthBcentury idio' 'as!s 'ost of the ba dy narrative by its plethora of obsolete and archaic for's( the litIeral 'eaning of hich escapes the 'odern readerA It has been esti'ated that 'ore than five hundred ords used repeatedly in the .ing >a'es Cersion have altered radically in 'eaning since %5%%A )y interest in riting a boo! about Biblical sexual practices dates bac! to 'y college fresh'an year as a theology 'aDor hen I studied the Bible forI'ally( 'y approach then being both reverent and uncriticalA I as astounded to discover the great a'ount of sex in the <ood Boo!( for until that ti'e( I had vie ed it as the literal ord of <odA I as soon to learn that this vie is held only by funda'entalist religious groupsA After changing 'y 'aDor to education( I read Tho'as Paine1s scathing indict'ent of the Bible in his The Age of Reason and began to reflect on the validity of so'e of his observationsA Shortly after earning 'y university degree( I sa the provocative play Inherit The *ind and greatly ad'ired the stirring defense of evolution hich "larence #arro gave in that #ayton( Tennessee courtroo'( here he represented school teacher >ohn Scopes in the fa'ous G)on!ey TrialAG #arro 1s daring in using the Bible itself to challenge funda'entalist *illia' >ennings Bryan left an indelible i'pression on 'y 'indA I soon adopted the vie that the Bible is Dust another history or collection of historiesA In the early %;6$s( hile serving on the faculty of the /niversity of Southern "alifornia( I as disturbed by the trend of the ca'pus ne spaper( The #aily TroDan( in giving freOuent space to evangelicals ho ere 'ostly 'e'bers of the "a'pus "rusade for "hrist *hen these religious @ealots obDected in print to official uniIversity recognition of the <ay -iberation 4oru' on the basis of ho'osexuality being conde'ned in the Bible( I expressed 'y concern to the editor of the paper ho( in turn( invited 'e to rite a rebuttal article expressing 'y vie sA )y article GBible SexG soon evolved into a series in the for' of a dialogue bet een 'e and the ne spaper staff riter

12

ho represented the "a'pus "rusade for "hristA The conItroversy created over this series proved to 'e hat little tolerance funda'entalists have for anyone ho has the te'erity to critici@e or challenge the Bible or( 'ore especially( their interpretation of itA It also gave 'e the i'petus to rite this boo!A The funda'entalists1 position is truly contradictory& they hold to a narro 'oral code hich they base sOuarely on the Bible( yet they are on sha!y ground indeed since( by the very standards of these conservative religious groups( 'uch of the Bible 'ight be considered obsceneA 7ot content to !eep their 'yopic( BiblicalBbased 'orality to the'selves( funda'entalists are notorious in for'ing proBcensorship groups( in obDecting loudly hen evolution is presented in school textboo!s ithout giving GeOual ti'eG to Ada' and Eve( and in staunchly opposing and lobbying against any for' of sex education or the dispensing of abortion and birth control infor'ationA A'erica has an incredible array of 'ore than 3$$ of these proBcensorship( antiBevolution and antiBlife groups ith such picturesOue na'es as A'ericans to Sta'p 2ut S'ut( Qouth for "hrist( The .nights of "olu'bus( "a'pus "rusade for "hrist( The <uardians of )orality in Qouth( 2peration )oral /pgrade( The "hristian 4orce for 2ur Righteous "hristian Environ'ent( The )oral )aDority( A'erican "hristian "ause and )orality in )ediaA 2f course( it is al ays instructive to exa'ine the psychological 'otives of these selfBappointed guardians of everyone1s 'orality and no one has penned a 'ore perceptive or a 'ore penetrating analysis of the censorial 'ind than have ,arvey 21,iggins and Ed ard Reede in their spellbinding boo!( The A'erican )ini in ActionA They ere riting about that archetype of all antiBvice crusaders( Anthony "o'stoc!( but the description certainly applies to all s'utBhunters of "o'stoc! s il!A 2n page %3 they state& The Puritan lived in a state of ar ith his instinctive self( hich he regarded as his evil self te'pting hi' to live according to the la of the flesh hen he ished to live according to the Pauline la of <odA ,e hated the flesh in hi'self and he hated even 'ore fiercely that flesh appearing as the vices of othersA ,ence he as a great persecutor( a strong viceBcrusader( the best of itch huntersA The 'ore puritanical the 'odern A'erican is( the 'ore he has of these viceBcrusading OualitiesA It is useless to tell such a 'an to love his neighbor as hi'self? he hates so 'uch of hi'selfA ,is hate( reservoired ithin hi'( gets its drainage in raids on vice( in the prosecutions and suppressions carried on by antiBvice societies( and in the ca'paigns of refor' that call for the punish'ent of evilBdoersA 7o here else in the orld could 'odern life produce such characters as A'ericas Anthony "o'stoc!A But fe have been the voices raised in opposition to these doBgooders and even fe er have been those ho have

13

dared to suggest that the Bible is anyIthing but inspiredA 2ne voice raised loud and clear against the Bible as that of A'ericas great patriotBbyBadoption( Tho'as Paine 9%636H%8$;:A As a child( he as exposed to the Bible and its teachings and( at the age of seven or eight( heard a ser'on MMM ( R M t C FSMSF SSTFS (1RC 3ntrobuctiott xb on rede'ption in hich there ere freOuent allusions to the ,oly ScripturesA Paine recounts ho he left the church and ent outside into the churchyard garIden co'pletely revolted by hat he had Dust heardA In The Age of Reason( published in %680( Paine s recollection of this event as still vivid and undi'inished ith a lapse of nearly forty yearsA After describing his trau'atic childhood experiIence( Paine concludes& GI 'oreover believe that any syste' of religion that has anything in it that shoc!s the 'ind of a child cannot be a true syste'AG ,ere is autobiographical evidence of at least one person ho( as a child( felt that the Bible had a corrupting influenceA Qet( Dudging by the very na'es of 'any antiBvice societies hich are deeply rooted in the Bible( it is the proItection of the 'orality of youth that is their pri'ary concernA Paine axes even 'ore vitriolic( again in The Age of Reason( and he pens an excoriating indict'ent of the Bible& *henever e read the obscene stories( the voluptuous debaucheries( the cruel and tortuous executions( the unrelenting vindictiveness( ith hich 'ore than half the Bible is filled( it ould be 'ore consistent that e called it the ord of a de'on than the ord of <odA It is a history of ic!edness( that has served to corrupt and brutali@e 'an!ind? and( for 'y part( I sincerely detest it( as I detest everything that is cruelA A fa'ous conte'porary of Tho'as Paine ho also as personally conte'ptuous of the Bible as Tho'as >efferson 9%603H%8+5:A It is a littleB!no n but fascinating historical fact that he as so disgrunded ith the 7e Testa'ent in particular that he rote his o n G>efferson1s BibleG in hich he radically altered 'ost of the four <ospels dealing ith the life of "hristA ,e rearranged the' to suit his o n interpretation of the events and entitled the or! The -ife and )orals of >esus of 7a@arethA Since >efferson had once ritten in a letter to "harles "lay& GI not only rite nothing on religion( but rarely per'it 'yself to spea! on it(G his >efferson1s Bible as presu'ably never intended for publicationA 7evertheless( since >efferson1s death( it has been published in several editions and it 'a!es engagingly interesting readingA Another fearless critic of the Bible as #A )A Bennett( a freethought publisher hose Dournal The Truth See!er ca'e under fire during the heyday of the 'ost fanatic antiBobscenity crusader A'erica has ever produced(

14

Anthony "o'stoc!9I800BI;I3:A "o'stoc! as successful in getting "ongress to pass the notorious "o'stoc! Act of %863 and it is to A'erica1s great discredit that this despicable la is still on the statute boo!s todayA This la gave "o'stoc! unli'ited po er as "hief xbt SiDeFB+.ate5 St5fe FFFFFffSffgF)SF)F) Inspector of the Post 2ffice #epart'ent and it allo ed hi' to be the sole arbiter in obscenity and pornography casesA "oncurrently( he as the chief agent of 7e Qor!1s Society for the Suppression of CiceA "o'stoc! arrested Bennett in %866 for publishing a heretical tract entitled GAn 2pen -etter to >esus "hristG and a biological essay G*hy #o )arsupials Propagate Their .indPG *hen the <overn'ent decided to drop its case against Bennett( "o'stoc! beca'e so frustrated that he resolved to get Bennett by any 'eans available to hi'A In %868( "o'stoc! finally 'anaged to get another indict'ent against Bennett for distributing a free love tract entitled G"upid s Qo!esAG It as ritten by EA ,A ,ey ood of Boston ho hi'self had been arrested by "o'stoc!A )uch to the chagrin of "o'stoc!( President ,ayes had personally intervened in the ,ey ood case( having granted ,ey ood a presidential pardonA The 'ethod "o'stoc! used to entrap Bennett as a favorite ith hi'& he sent a decoy letter through the 'ail reOuesting the tract fro' Bennetts publishing office( and upon receipt of the tract( he had Bennett arrested for 'ailing GobsceneG 'atterA Bennett served one full year in prisonA *hat had particularly enraged "o'stoc! as Bennetts audacious suggestion that "o'stoc! should also consider indicting the A'erican Bible Society for obscenity for distributing the BibleA The 'ost fa'ous and 'ost outspo!en A'erican critic of the Bible as the great agnostic orator( Robert <reen Ingersoll 9%833H%8;;:A At the @enith of his career( he once offered one thousand dollars in cash to any 'inister in the city of "leveland ho ould agree to read to his congregation( fro' his pulpit on a Sunday 'orning( passages fro' the Bible to be selected by the agnosticA The offer as never accepted( and this in a day hen one thousand dollars as a considerable su'A Ingersoll once rote in a letter to a friend& 7obody holds in greater conte'pt than I the riters( publishers( or dealers in obscene literatureA 2ne of 'y obDections to the Bible is that it contains hundreds of grossly obscene passages not fit to be read by any decent

15

'an? thousands of passages( in 'y DudgI'ent( calculated to corrupt the 'inds of youthA I hope the ti'e ill co'e hen the good sense of the A'erican people ill de'and a bible ith all obscene passages left outA IngersolTs eloOuent antiBtheological lectures GSo'e )ista!es of )osesG and GAbout the ,oly BibleG are 'asterpieces of oratorical defa'ation of the ScripturesA GMGFS1FB>B>FFS>CN L>M)GB1G BAMBMRMvXF>G 1C>G 3ntrobuction xbii )ar! T ain( a great ad'irer of Robert Ingersoll( once had occasion to ta!e a Dab at the BibleA A young o'an superintendent in the "hildren1s #epartB'ent of the Broo!lyn Public -ibrary charged that To' Sa yer and ,uc!leberry 4inn ere corrupting the 'orals of childrenA T ain1s ans er( as recorded in volu'e t o of his autobiography( page 333( as& I a' greatly troubled by hat you sayA I rote To' Sa yer and ,uc! 4inn for adults exclusively( and it al ays distresses 'e hen I find that boys and girls have been allo ed access to the'A The 'ind that beco'es soiled in youth can never again be ashed clean? I !no this by 'y o n experience( and to this day I cherish an unappeasable bitterness against the unfaithful guardians of 'y young life( ho not only per'itted but co'pelled 'e to read an unexpurgated Bible through before I as fifteen years oldA 7one can do that and ever dra a clean( s eet breath again this side of the graveA As! that young ladyHshe ill tell you soA )ost honestly do I ish I could say a softening ord or t o in defense of ,uc!1s character( since you ish it( but really in 'y opinion( it is no better than those of Solo'on( #avid( Satan( and the rest of the sacred brotherhoodA If there is an unexpurgated TBibleU in the "hildren1s #epart'ent on1t you please help that young o'an re'ove ,uc! and To' fro' that Ouestionable co'panionshipP Another outstanding exa'ple of open criticis' of the ,oly *rit here even its divine authorship as brought into Ouestion is the fa'ous Scopes G)on!ey TrialG of %;+3A *illia' >ennings Bryan( a devout "hristian funda'entalist ho ran for president three ti'es but as defeated all three ti'es( had been successful in drafting legislation hich prohibited the teaching of evolution in the public schools of A'ericaA >ohn TA Scopes( a school teacher in #ayton( Tennessee( challenged this la and as charged and brought to trialA Bryan volunteered to represent the prosecution( but he had a 'ost for'idable opponent in the person of "larence #arro ( the prestigious cri'inal trial la yer fro' "hicago ho had volunteered to represent the defenseA #arro brought the Bible right into the courtroo' and brilliantly challenged Bryan1s troglodyte funda'entalist

16

vie s in a stunning and eloOuent exegesis of the opening chapters of <enesisA Although Bryan on the case( the trial proved to be such a strain on hi' that( orn and haggard( he died five days after the ter'ination of the trialA The panoply of events xbftt FfDeFBFateb Si5fe r(C F F (GCCCVr B1GG CJCCCFvP has been freely adapted and splendidly dra'ati@ed for all posterity in the superb dra'a Inherit The *ind hich as authored by >ero'e -a rence and Robert EA -ee in %;33A In 'y criticis' of the funda'entalist interpretation of the Bible( I ish to focus only on sexA Anyone ho doubts that there is 'uch sex in the Bible need only read <enesis to find in Dust that opening chapter explicit and graphic exa'ples of several varieties of incest( rape( adultery( indecent exposure( pi'ping( ho'osexual assault( biga'y( ritualistic circu'cision( atte'pted seduction of a youth by an older o'an( prostitution( babyB'a!ing by proxy( use of both an aphrodisiac and a fertility drug( fornication ith devils( o'en punished ith sterility( husbandBs apping( 'asturbationJ ithdra al and a fertility contest ith four fe'ale contestantsA I insist that if the Bible is inspired( the passages relating to sex should reveal great enlighten'ent and exceptionally advanced !no ledge and understandingA *hat e encounter instead are superstition( fear( pri'itive thin!ing and gross 'isunderstanding of even the 'ost basic sexual functionsA Several other boo!s have been ritten about Biblical sexual practices( but they have al ays been authored by apologists ho rationali@e anything and everything to confor' to their theological orthodoxyA )y approach is differIent because I do not consider the Bible as sacrosanct or above even obDective criticis'A 2nce e disabuse ourselves of the notion that the Bible is inspired( e see it in a ne light and delving into its sexual 'ysteries beco'es real funA But please don1t ta!e 'y ord for itA This is hat a noted conte'porary theologian has to say about the subDect& GAAA the Bible contains 'uch racy 'aterial( fully as sexy as the or!s of >acOueline Susann( only better rittenAG 9RevA "harles )errill S'ith riting in The Pearly <ates Syndicate or ,o to Sell Real Estate in ,eavenA #oubleday( %;6%A: )odern versions of the Bible are selling today as never before( but even in these easyBtoBread and understand translations( 'any passages hich refer specifically to sex are either glossed over or left ithout any explanationA In The XMRated Bible( I leave nothing to the i'agination since I a' providing a co'prehensive anthology of sex as e find it in the ScripturesA I sincerely hope that this anthology ill have the additional therapeutic benefit of helping readers learn not to ta!e

17

sex so seriouslyA )asters and >ohnson( the sex research tea' fro' StA -ouis( esti'ate that fifty percent of all 'arriages suffer fro' so'e for' of sexual dysfunctionA They go on to add a'a@ingly that Gthe factor of religious orthodoxy still re'ains of 'aDor i'portAAA in al'ost every for' of hu'an sexual inadeOuacyAG 9,u'an Sexual InadeOuacy( pA ++;A: (MRFBRFFMAFABF FBFFBFBi FBFRF BWAR F RB dntrobuction xtx -et us no explore the Gracy 'aterialG hich RevA S'ith 'entioned in his boo! and get a fresh perspective on the Bible and its 'any interesting( colorIful and very hu'an charactersA Ben Ed ard A!erley <lendale( "alifornia >anuary( %;80

Preface
Since the publication of the original version in %;83( the rise of the Religious Right and the resurgence of Protestant funda'entalis' have exerted a tre'endous i'pact onG% three critical areas of A'erican life& IA sex education( +A creationis' vsA evolution and( 3A fa'ily values vsA gay rig htsA #espite A'ericas dubious distinction of having the highest un ed teenage pregnancy rate in the orld( abstinenceBonly sex education has been aggresIsively subsidi@ed by both state and federal govern'entsA The best !no n curriculu'( Sex Respect( previously titled -ove and -ife& A "hristian Sexual )orality "uide for Teens( is currently in use in at least %(3$$ public school districts ith the blessing of religious extre'ists every hereA Planned Parenthood has evaluated the progra' as follo s& unrealistic( 'isleading( 'edically inaccurate and nothing 'ore than fear and sha'eBbased indoctrinationA 4unda'entalist religious gurus have successfully inti'idated public school boards and even textboo! publishers into giving creationis' eOual ti'e ith evolution in the classroo'A Their coinage of the neologis' and oxy'oron Gcreation scienceG reveals the absurdity of their antiBevolution ca'paignA By far( the extre'ely lucrative and unrelenting antiBgay propaganda 'achine has been 'uch 'ore insidious in its disastrous conseOuencesA E'ploying such inane slogans as G<od created Ada' and Eve( not Ada' and Steve(G televangelists have lavishly filled their coffers ith generous contribuItions fro' sincere but 'isguided follo ers led to fear that the <ay Agenda includes not only seducing and corrupting A'erican youth( but also in special( not Dust eOual rights for gays and in under'ining the BibleBbased 'oral fabric of any <odBfearing nation& the

18

heterosexual nuclear fa'ilyA It has been seductively easy to convince 'ost true believers that AI#S is the death sentence pro'ised in -eviticus as a re ard to those ho Glie ith 'an!ind as ith o'an!indAG But hat about AI#S victi's ho are heterosexual or intravenous drug users or recipients of a conta'inated blood transfusionP *hen thenBpresidential candidate Bill "linton pro'ised during his %;;+ ca'paign to 'a!e lifting the ban on gays in the 'ilitary a top priority of his ne ad'inistration( he encountered over hel'ing opposition fro' religious conservativesA Also 'ilitating against lifting the ban as the /")> 9/nifor' "ode of )ilitary >ustice: enacted in %;3$ in part to enforce Biblical 'orality on all soldiersA -i!e the topsyBturvy 'orass on hich it is based( it creates this confusing but a'using paradox of federal cri'e& cheat on your spouse and you get a oneByear 'axi'u' sentence for adultery? give your spouse head or atte'pt anal sex and you get a 'axi'u' sentence of five yearsX -i!e the sodo'y la s of nearly half of our states( these proscriptions apply to both gays and straights and include 'arried couplesA It should boggle our 'inds that as e stand on the threshold of the t entyBfirst century( these antiOuated statutes confuse sin ith cri'e and survive as prudish relics of a particularly sha'eful period of our puritanical heritageA It too! fro' %685 to %863 to repeal capital punish'ent for sodo'y in all of our statesA Thin! of itX >ust a little over %$$ years ago( you could have been executed for perfor'ing a nonBgenital sex act in our o n land of the free and ho'e of the braveA Another decisive factor in defeating "lintons resolution ca'e fro' the Southern Baptist "onventionA They sent a 'e'orandu' directly to the *hite ,ouse re'inding "linton of his Baptist roots hich teach the Scriptural conBde'nation of ho'osexuality as i''oral( perverted and sinful behavior and de'anded that he retain the banA These sa'e Baptist brethren co''anded their follo ers in %;;6 to boycott all #isney enterprises because the corporaItion had the te'erity to offer full do'estic partner benefits to un'arried and sa'e sex couples and to sponsor the TC sitco' Ellen ith realBlife lesbian Ellen #e<eneres playing her openly gay na'esa!eA *ith the charitable spirit of true "hristian love( the RevA >erry 4al ell denounced the progra' calling its star Ellen #egenerateA Since abhorrence can and does beget violence( hateBspe ing evangelicals deserve a large part of the credit for the 'eteoric rise in gayBbashings and 'urders despite their hypocritical protestations that G<od hates the sin but

19

loves the sinnerAG 4ortunately( P4-A< 9Parents( 4a'ilies and 4riends of -esbians and <ays: serves as an increasingly visible antidote to the veno'ous antiBgay rhetoric of the Religious Right radicalsA *ith chapters in 'ore than 0$A$ /A SA co''unities and in eleven foreign countries( their 'ission is to educate and lobbv for acceptance and celebration of diversityA And in a onderfully ironic t ist on the pious platitudes of funda'entalist religious bigots( P4-A< has adopted the 'otto& ,ate is not a fa'ilv valueA M R GJ(1r>C(G11 (TAGv1 XTX CFXFvTF prefacexxf It is axio'atic that the 'ore funda'entalistBoriented true believers are( the 'ore ho'ophobic thev beco'eA It should co'e as no surprise( then( that the Religious Right has urged its follo ers to boycott the .ing >a'es Cersion of the Bible solely because they have finally discovered hat historians have !no n for centuries& .ing >a'es I lived as an openly gay 'onarchA Therefore( in today1s cli'ate of ra'pant ho'ophobia( is it any onder that although gay teens co'prise no 'ore than %$K of the overall adolescent population( nearly one third of teen suicides are gay !idsP I 'yself could easily have beco'e Dust another gay teen suicide statisticA *hen I chanced upon the -eviticus decree of death for gav sex at age %3( I as both devastated and trau'ati@edA As an i'pressionable teenager( I suddenly reali@ed that 'y sexual orientation as conde'ned by the one boo! I had been taught to revere as an infallible 'oral guide? that hat as perfectly nor'al and natural for 'e as called unnatural and sinful by <od1s ,oly *ordA "onseOuently( if 'y XBRafed Bib/ can spare only one gay teenager fro' going through the guilt( sha'e( selfBhatred( re'orse( selfBdoubt and tor'ent that I suffered( then it ill have been ell orth the effort( Ben Ed ard A!erlev -os Angeles( "alifornia 7ove'ber( %;;8 .ing >a'es I ta!es a Bible beltingA 7e s ite' in 2ut 'aga@ine >une( %;;8 RI<,TB*I7< )AI7STAQS the 4a'ily Research "ouncil 14R"N the "hristian "oalition( and A'ericans for Truth About ,o'osexuality 9AT,: have urged their 'e'bers to cease using the .ing >a'es Bible( first published in %5%% by >a'es I of EnglandA Ir appears that scholars of the period are in agreeI'ent that .ing >a'es 'ight better have been na'ed =ueen )aryA G>a'es had a nu'ber of 1favorites(1 such as the Earl of So'erset and the #u!e of Buc!ingha'( ith ho' he undoubtedly had sexual relationships(G said biographer #avid ,arris *illsonA ,ere1s evidence that the leaders of the Right need a serious real'B chec!&

20

Y <ary Bauer( the rightist stal art ho recently announced his presidential candidacv for +$$$& GAnything that has been co''issioned bv a ho'osexual has obviously been tainted in so'e avAG Y Peter -aBarbera of AT,& GI ould as! "hristians to chec! ho is responsible for both the translation as ell as the editing of their BiblesA *e all need to be vigilantAG Y "hristian "oalition head and televangelist Pat Robertson& GIt is very i'portant that e stand up to the ho'osexual herever and henever he appearsAG

Prologue
,EREAS T,E 4/7#A)E7TA-IST "27TE7TI27 T,AT T,E BiB-E is the literal ord of <od 'erely expresses an opinion( it is illu'inating indeed to discover that the Bible itself 'a!es the clai' that it is inspired and that it is an irreproachable guide in 'oral conduct& II Ft'2tfDtD 3&%5B%6 %5A%% scripture is inspired by <od and profitable for teaching( for reproof( for correction( and for training in righteousness( Gthat the 'an of <od 'ay be co'plete( eOuipped for every good or!A *ith the above Ouote upper'ost in 'ind( let us no e'bar! on our ribald ro'p through the nittyBgritty of an astonishing a'ount of Biblical han!yBpan!yA

Part $% I7"EST& I)P-IE#( SI7<-E( #2/B-E A7# )/-TIP-E

"9D ap ter 2ne I7 T,E BE<I77I7< *AS I7"EST I "fDapter Ftoo A)727 RAPES ,IS SISTER TA)AR 3 "hapter FTfDree -2T .72".S /P B2T, ,IS #A/<,TERS 6 "hapter sfour

21

ABSA-2)1S #E4IA7T A"T 24 )/-TIP-E I7"EST %$

"hapter $% In The Beginning *as Incest

-ITERA-ISTS "27TI7/2/S-Q RE4ER T2 T,E ST2RQ 24 A#A) and EveA They should 'ore properly allude to the GstoriesG of Ada' and Eve since <enesis contains t o parallel but decidedly divergent versions of the creation legendA In the first account( 'an and o'an ere created si'ultaneouslyA 9Senesis % 1AZ> So <od created 'an in his o n i'age( in the i'age of <od created he hi'? 'ale and fe'ale created he the'A In the second account( a 'an as created out of dust and na'ed Ada' and then later a o'an as created fro' one of his ribsA <enesis +X+%H+3 +IAnd the -ord <od caused a deep sleep to fall upon Ada'( and he slept? and he too! one of his ribs( and closed up the flesh instead thereofA ++And the rib( hich the -ord <od had ta!en fro' 'an( 'ade he a o'an( and brought her unto the 'anA +3And Ada' said( This is no bone of 'y bones( and flesh of 'y flesh& she shall be called *o'an( because she as ta!en out of 'anA But in both renderings of the 'ythical epic( >ehovah1s edict to be fruitful and 'ultiply as obeyedA That co''and alone has resulted in our present ecological 'ess ith overpopulation ravaging our fragile planetA <enesis 0 1A%MZ 1And Ada' !ne Eve his ife? and she conBceived( and bare "ain( and said( I have gotten a 'an fro' the -ordA +And she again bare his brother AbelA And Abel as a !eeper of sheep( but "ain as a tiller of the groundA The ord translated here as G!ne G is the ,ebre verb yada hich( in this context( could best be rendered in 'odern English as Ghad sexual relations ithAG The next passage relating that "ain G!ne G his ife is the one fro' hich e can infer incest( for he ould have had to cohabit either ith his o n 'other Eve or ith one of his unna'ed sistersA "enesis 0 %%J And "ain !ne his ife? and she conceived( and bare Enoch& and he builded a city( and called the na'e of the city( after the na'e of his son( EnochA It is only an inference( of course( for it is possible that there existed another couple in the creation fable( but that

22

they ere si'ply o'itted fro' the narrativeA /nder this hypothesis( "ain ould have 'arried one of their daughtersA The funda'entalist explanation is that >ehovah did not see fit to create 'ore than one couple and that the usual eugenic obDections to incest si'ply do not apply here because of the pristine purity of the race at that ti'eA To be sure( incestuous liaisons ere to beco'e Ouite co''onplace throughout the BibleA )oses( the great leader of Israel( as hi'self a son of incestA "Fobus 5& +$ And A'ra' too! hi' >och1ebed his father1s sister to ife& and she bare hi' Aaron and )oses& and the years of life of A'ra' ere a hundred and thirty and seven yearsA Surely an o'nipotent deity could have avoided even the suggestion of incest by including at least t o couples in his plan of special creation and thus precluding any speculation about hat has since beco'e the strongest universal tabooA )any Biblical interpreters of the 'odern school also see sexual overtones in the expulsion of Ada' and Eve fro' EdenA They insist that their original sin as not Dust in parta!ing of the forbidden apple but rather the story of forbidden fruit is si'ply an allegory for sexual intercourseA Theologians ho oppose this theory of sexual original sin 'a!e a persuaIsive case for their argu'ent by stating that if >ehovah had indeed given the edict to be fruitful and 'ultiply( he ould hardly have conde'ned Ada' and Eve for obeying his explicit instructionsA At any rate( the frag'entary and a'biguous narrative leaves roo' for specIulation about incest having occurred either on a 'other and son basis 9Eve and "ain: or on a brother and sister basis 9"ain and his sister:A It cannot be ruled out as unli!ely since other episodes in the ,oly *rit reinforce the notion that there1s nothing rong ith incest as long as it1s !ept in the fa'ilyA + SiDe?:"BKtteb Si5fe FF SiFF.pF.P

"hapter $+ A'non Rapes ,is Sister Ta'ar

A)727S I74AT/ATI27 *IT, ,IS ,A-4BSISTER *AS 24 S/", 'agnitude that he beca'e physically ill as a result of his a'orous ardorA ,e didn1t !no exactly ho to get to Ta'ar since she as still a virgin and seeing her privately as very difficult because of the custo' of segregating young 'en and o'en fro' one anotherA II Sa'uef NyANM+( 1And it ca'e to pass after this( that Absalo' the son of #avid had a fair sister( hose na'e as

23

Ta'ar? and A'non the son of #avid loved herA +And A'non as so vexed( that he fell sic! for his sister Ta'ar? for she as a virgin? and A'non thought it hard for hi' to do anything to herA A'non had a cousin >onadab ho as very crafty and it as his suggesItion that if A'non anted so badly to see Ta'ar in private( he should feign sic!ness and then as! his father #avid to allo Ta'ar to 'inister unto hi'A II Sarnuef %3&3B3 3ButA'no n had a friend( hose na'e as >onadab( the son of Shi'1eBah #avid1s brother& and >on1adab as a very subtile 'anA 0And he said unto hi'A *hy art thou( being the !ing1s son( lean fro' day to dayP ilt thou not tell 'eP And A'non said unto hi'( I love Ta'ar('y brother Absalo'1s sisterA +And >on1adab said unto hi'A -ay thee do n on thy bed( and 'a!e thyself sic!& and hen thy father co'eth to see thee( say unto hi'A I pray thee( let 'y sister Ta'ar co'e( and give 'e 'eat( and dress the 'eat in 'y sight( that I 'ay see it( and eat it at her handA A'non follo ed >onadab1s advice and his father #avid granted his reOuest and sent Ta'ar to ait on hi'A A'non sent all the 'en a ay fro' his cha'Iber so that he and Ta'ar ould be alone at lastA II Sa'tief %3&5B%$ 5So A'non lay do n( and 'ade hi'self sic!& and hen the !ing as co'e to see hi'( A'non said unto the !ing( I pray thee( let Ta'ar 'y sister co'e( and 'a!e 'e a couple of ca!es in 'y sight( that I 'ay eat at her handA Then #avid sent ho'e to Ta'ar( saying( <o no to thy brother A'non1s house? and dress hi' 'eatA sSo Ta'ar ent to her brother A'non1s house? and he as laid do nA And she too! flour( and !neaded it( and 'ade ca!es in his sight( and did ba!e the ca!esA M rlM MF1LSLPMSSMM1 RL CG(XGvMG(GB M* BL 1AB1 GBG "fDctpter1tZ o 3 ;And she too! a pan( and poured the' out before hi'? but he refused to eatA And A'non said( ,ave out all 'en fro' 'eA And they ent out every 'an fro' hi'A I$And A'non said unto Ta'ar( Bring the 'eat into the cha'ber( that I 'ay eat of thine handA And Ta'ar too! the ca!es hich she had 'ade( and brought the' into the cha'ber to A'non her brotherA *hen Ta'ar entered A'non1s bedroo' ith the food( he as!ed her to go to bed ith hi'A She refused saying that it as a cri'e of incestA She then suggested that A'non spea! to #avid and as! hi' for her hand in 'arriage so that there ould be no scandal about the affairA

24

II Sa'/"i %3'B%3 GAnd hen she had brought th e' unto hi' to eat( he too! hold of her( and said unto herA "o'e lie ith 'e( 'y sisterA I+And she ans ered hi'( 7ay( 'y brother( do not force 'e? for no such thing ought to be done in Israel& do not thou this follyA %3And I( hither shall I cause 'y sha'e to goP and as for thee( thou shalt be as one of the fools in IsraelA 7o therefore( I pray thee( spea! unto the !ing& for he ill nor ithhold 'e fro' theeA But A'non ould not listen to reasonA ,e forcibly raped Ta'ar and then hated her for having refused hi'( his hatred exceeding the love he had felt for herA A'non had his servant put Ta'ar out of his OuartersA As Ta'ar left( she rent her clothes( put ashes on her head and ent a ay eepingA II Sa'u@9 %3&%0 %; 10,o beit he ould not hear!en unto her voice& but( being stronger than she( forced her( and lay ith herA GThen A'non hated her exceedingly? so that the hatred here ith he hated her as greater than the love here ith he had loved herA And A'non said unto her( Arise( be goneA I5And she said unto hi'( There is no cause& this evil in sending 'e a ay is greater than the other that thou didst unto 'eA But he ould not hear!en unto herA % Then he called his servant that 'inistered unto hi'( and said( Put no this o'an out fro' 'e( and bolt the door after herA I3And she had a gar'ent of divers colors upon her& for ith such robes ere the !ing1s daughters that ere virgins appareledA Then his servant brought her out( and bolted the door after herA I;And Ta'ar put ashes on her head( and rent her gar'ent of divers colors that as on her( and laid her hand on her head( and ent on cryingA 0 FfDcfiBFXattb 33r59e In this narrative( there e'erges a hierarchy of sin hich ill run throughout the entire BibleA In verse %5( Ta'ar co'plained 'ore about A'nons reDection of her after ards than she did about the actual acts of incest and rapeA ,er o n ords to A'non ere& GThis evil in sending 'e a ay is greater than the other that thou didst unto 'eAG *hen Ta'ar s fullBbrother Absalo' learned of her being violated bv A'non( he tried to console her by saying that since it as all in the fa'ily( it as not reallv such a terrible thingA But #avid as very upset by hat A'non had doneA Absalo' said nothing to A'non about his violation of Ta'ar( yet inside hi'self( he detested A'non for his nefarious actA II Sct'uef %3B+$H++ +$And Absalo' her brother said unto her( ,ath A'non thy brother been ith theeP but hold no thy peace( 'y sister& he is thy brother? regard not this thingA So Ta'ar re'ained desolate in her brother Absalo'1s houseA +IBut hen !ing #avid heard of all these things( he as very rothA ++And Absalo' spa!e unto

25

his brother A'non neither good nor bad& for Absalo' hated A'non( because he had forced his sister Ta'arA Absalo' seethed ith rage for t o years and finally gave vent to his anger by having A'non 'urdered so that Ta'ar s honor could be avengedA %3 B+3H+; L3And it ca'e to pass after t o full years( that Absalo' had sheepshearers in Ba1alBha1@or( hich is beside Ephrai'& and Absalo' invited all the !ing1s sonsA +0And Absalo' ca'e to the !ing( and said( Behold no ( thy servant hath sheepshearers? let the !ing( I beseech thee( and his servants go ith thv servantA GAnd the !ing said to Absalo'( 7ay( 'y son( let us [ F1FtrrxruCFFF1FFFFH1FvBCF1C Sf:aptercSax\ 3 not all no go( lest e be chargeable unto theeA And he pressed hi'& ho beit he ould not go( but blessed hi'A +5Then said Absalo'( If not( I pray thee( let 'y brother A'non go ith usA And the !ing said unto hi'( *hy should he go ith theeP +6But Absalo' pressed hi'( that he let A'non and all the !ing1s sons go ith hi'A +S7o Ab salo' had co''anded his servants( saying( )ar! ye no hen A'non1s heart is 'erry ith ine( and hen I say unto you( S'ite A'non? then !ill hi'( fear not& have not I co''anded youP be courageous( and be valiantA +;And the servants of Ab1salo' did unto A'non as Ab1salo' had co''andedA Then all the !ing1s sons arose( and every 'an gat hi' up upon his 'ule( and fledA It is a fascinating co''entary on hu'an nature that after Absalo'1s revenge for A'non1s incestuous bond ithTa'ar( Absalo' hi'self as to be guilty of the sa'e act of incest( except that in his case( it as to be a 'ultiple act of incest against his o n father #avid 9see "hapter 0:A *hen A'non approached Ta'ar( he undoubtedly already !ne of the legal prohibitions against copulation ith his o n sister( even though she as only his halfBsisterA *hen he first accosted Ta'ar( she forcefully re'inded hi' that hat he as as!ing of her as against the ,ebre la A sSetnticus +$&%6 And if a 'an shall ta!e his sister( his father1s daughter( or his 'other1s daughter( and see her na!edness( and she see his na!edness? it is a ic!ed thing? and they shall be cut off in the sight of their people& he hath uncovered his sister1s na!edness? he shall bear his iniOuityA S:aiter2n2't] +6&++ "ursed be he that lieth ith his sister( the daughter of his father( or the daughter of his 'other? and all the people shall say( A'enA Ta'ar1s suggestion that #avid 'ight be illing to give her to A'non in 'arriage indicates that 'atri'ony bet een a brother and a sister as not out of the Ouestion at this stage in Israel1s historyA But hat re'ains

26

unclear is hether this as traditional or 'erely an exception because they ere both fro' a royal fa'ily or because they ere only halfBbrother and halfBsisterA 5 SfDe?SBKteb ;3i5fe

"hapter $3 -ot .noc!s /p Both ,is #aughters

-ot1s ife apparently yearned for hat she had to leave behind in Sodo' 9see "hapter %%: and >ehovah1s penalty for her loo!ing bac! as the city of the plain burned as to turn her into a pillar of saltA 5enests %;&+5B+; +5But his ife loo!ed bac! fro' behind hi'( and she beca'e a pillar of saltA +6And Abraha' gat up early in the 'orning to the place here he stood before the -ord& +8and he loo!ed to ard Sodo' and <o'orrah and to ard all the land of the plain( and beheld( and( lo( the s'o!e of the country ent up as the s'o!e of a furnaceA +;And it ca'e to pass( hen <od destroyed the cities of the plain( that <od re'e'bered Abraha'( and sent -ot out of the 'idst of the overthro ( hen he overIthre the cities in the hich -ot d elt( -ot as fearful of the people of Zoar and he and his t o daughters headed for the nearby 'ountains here they decided to live in a caveA 9genesis %;[3F And -ot ent up out of Zo1ar and d elt in the 'ountain( and his t o daughters ith hi'? for he feared to d ell in Zo1ar& and he d elt in a cave( he and his t o daughtersA Because of the fate of their 'other( -ot1s t o daughters ere deter'ined that their clan should continue uninterrupted and since their father as see'ingly un illing to let the' 'arry any of the local 'en( before -ot as too old to father any 'ore progeny( they decided literally to ta!e 'atters into their o n handsA It is also not unli!ely that they still harbored so'e resent'ent to ard their father for having proffered the' both to that lustful 'ob of 'en cla'oring outside of their ho'e in Sodo' 9see "hapter II:A ,ad those Sodo'ites been illing to accept -ot1s proposition( it is entirely possible that both of the' ould have been fatally abused by that lecherous 'obA Therefore( -ot1s daughters decided to get their father thoroughly soused before scre ing hi'A )aybe the young o'en ere concerned that if their dad as sober( he ould not have been able to get it up ith his o n daughtersA So they felt that by pouring ine into hi' until he got stiff 9both figuratively and literally:( they ould at

27

least solve the proble' of te'porary i'potenceA <enesis %;&3%B33 3IAnd the fostb orn said unto the younger( 2ur father is old( and there is not a 'an in the earth to co'e in unto us after the 'anner of all the earth& 3+"o'e( let us 'a!e our father drin! ine( and e ill lie ith hi'( that e 'ay preserve seed of our fatherA 33And they 'ade their father drin! ine that night& and the firstborn ent in( and lay ith her father? and he perceived not hen she lay do n( nor hen she aroseA The follo ing day( the elder daughter suggested that her younger sister repeat the incestuous act and that night( they got -ot drun! once again and this ti'e the younger daughter too! her turn lying ith her fatherA In both cases( -ot1s drun!en stupor as so great that he didn1t even reali@e he as having sexual relations ith his daughtersA 5enesis %;B30B33 30And it ca'e to pass on the 'orro ( that the firstborn said unto the Qounger( Behold( I lay yesternight ith 'y father& let us 'a!e hi' drin! ine this night also? and go thou in( and lie ith hi'( that e 'ay preserve seed of our fatherA 33And they 'ade their father drin! ine that night also& and the younger arose( and lay ith hi'? and he perceived not hen she lay do n( nor hen she aroseA Both young o'en beca'e pregnant by their father -ot and their plan to preserve his seed as successfulA 5enesis %;&35B38 35Thus ere both the daughters of -ot ith child by their fatherA 31And the firstborn bare a son( and called his na'e )oab& the sa'e is the father of the )oabites unto this dayA 38And the younger( she also bare a son( and called his na'e BenBa'1'i& the sa'e is the father of the children of Arn'on unto this dayA The tale of -ot and his daughters is a favorite topic hen I do tal! sho s( so let 'e no give you an idea of ho a debate usually goesA Baptist )inister& In your The XBRated Bible( are you saying that the *ord of <od is as bad as pornographic 'aga@ines li!e Playboy( Penthouse( and 4oru'P A!erley& I1' saying that Playboy( Penthouse( and 4oru' do not clai' to be inspiredA 8 tTfDeFB iteo Ftfcfe iAFAFBFBiCiFF\FiF^DF 0BFB0F0 Baptist )inister& 2h sure( there1s a lot of i''orality 'enItioned in the Scriptures( but <od al ays uses those exa'ples to teach us a 'oral lesson about hat e should not doA A!erley& *hat about -ot1s t o daughters getting their father intoxicated and then beco'ing pregnant by hi'P Baptist )inister& They did that because they

28

ere the only survivors after <od destroyed Sodo' and <o'orrah for their perversion and terrible sinfulnessA A!erley& But the account says that they hid in a cave near Zoar because -ot as fearful of the people nearbyA Baptist )inister& *ell then his daughters thought they ere the only ones left on earthA A!erley& So hy did they have to get -ot drun!P *ouldn1t he have understood the isdo' of their plan to repopulate a devastated orldP Baptist )inister& <od 'oves in 'ysterious ays( his onders to perfor'X Apologists insist that even tales of sexual i'propriety in the <ood Boo! serve as a 'oral lessonA I 'ust confess that I have searched long and hard 9very hard : for one in this narrative and the only 'oral i'perative that I can detect is that if t o daughters ant to co''it incest ith their o n father( the older one should get her chance to fuc! daddy firstX

"hapter $0 Absalo'1s #efiant Act 2f )ultiple Incest

ABSA-2) ,A# >2I7E# *IT, A-- T,E )E7 24 ISRAE- I7 A conspiracy against his father #avidA *hen #avid fled >erusale' before Absalo'1s arrival there( he left ten of his concubines 9'istresses: to !eep the houseA II Sa'uelG %3&%5 And the !ing ent forth( and all his houseIhold after hi'A And the !ing left ten o'en( hich ere concuIbines( to !eep the houseA *hen Absalo' arrived in >erusale'( he fornicated ith the ten concubines in a special tent constructed on the roof of the palace so that all Israel ould be a are of hat he as doingA ,is act of 'ultiple incest as the ulti'ate sy'bol of his utter disdain for #avids authorityA 2f course( this had all been predicted by the prophet 7athan and Absalo' as 'erely fulfilling the prophetic vision hich 7athan had already shared ith #avid prior to Absalo'1s birth 9see "hapter %8:A Absalo'1s fulfill'ent of the prophecy provided all Israel ith an opporItunity to beco'e voyeurs hile atching the royal philanderer GhardG at or!A II Sa'uel[ %5& %3B+3 l#And Absalo'( and all the people the 'en of Israel( ca'e to >erusale'( and Ahith1ophel ith hi'A I5And it ca'e to pass( hen ,u1shai the Archite( #avids friend( as co'e unto Absalo' that ,u1shai said unto Absalo'( <od save the !ing( <od save the !ingA 1And Absalo' said to ,u1shai( Is this thy !indness to thy friendP hy entest thou not ith thy friendP I8And ,u1shai said unto Absalo'( 7ay? but ho' the -ord( and this people( and

29

all the 'en of Israel( choose( his ill I be( and ith hi' ill I abideA GAnd again( ho' should I serveP should I not serve in the presence of his sonP as I have served in thy father1s presence( so ill I be in thy presenceA +$Then said Absalo' to Ahith1ophel( <ive counsel a'ong you hat e shall doA +IAnd Ahith1ophel said unto Absalo'( <o in unto thy father1s concubines( hich he hath left to !eep the house? and all Israel shall hear that thou art abhorred of thy father& then shall the hands of all that are ith thee be strongA ++So they spread Absalo' a tent upon the top of the house? and Absalo' ent in unto his father1s concubines in the sight of all IsraelA +3And the counsel of Ahith1ophel( hich he counseled in those days( as as if a 'an had1 %$ *DefiB,tottb '' 6S&_1)^FFFGtFrFFySvZF"F inOuired at the oracle of <od& so as all the counsel of Ahith1ophel both ith #avid and ith Absalo'A After #avids return to >erusale'( he virtually diso ned these ten concuIbines ho had slept ith Absalo'A ,e 'ade the' prisoners in their o n house and never had sexual relations ith the' againA They re'ained prisoners of #avid until their deaths( for by i'posing this sexual Ouarantine( the !ing regained so'e of the honor he had lost through Absalo'1s sha'eful actionsA II BSa'uef +$F3 And #avid ca'e to his house at >erusale'? and the !ing too! the ten o'en his concubines( ho'( he had left to !eep the house( and put the' in ard( and fed the'( but ent not in unto the'A So they ere shut up unto the day of their death( living in ido hoodA #espite Absalo'1s rebellion and estrange'ent fro' his father( #avid still loved hi' deeplyA Absalo' 'et his de'ise hen he caught his head in a tree branch as he as riding along on a 'ule and as 'urdered by >oab ho plunged three daggers into Absalo'1s heart hile he dangled fro' the treeA To 'a!e sure that the Dob as co'plete( the ten ar'orBbearers ho acco'Ipanied Absalo' also stabbed hi' 9II Sa'uel %8&;H%3:A /pon learning of Absalo'1s death( #avid as overco'e ith uncontrollable grief and 'ourned greatly for his slain sonA

Part $+ Sexual Pollution

"fDapter r`roe 27A71S 4ATA- 2R<AS) %3 "fDaptct StDe *EARI7< T,E RA< %6 "fDapter Seoen #2I7< T,E 7ASTQ +%

30

"hapter aWA`K *ET #REA)S A7# *A7.I7< 9SPA7.I7< T,E )27.EQ: ++ "fDapter =fline T,E "-AP A7# 2T,ER ST#S +0 bfD apta 9caN ECE1S "/RSE 4/-4I--E# ie

"hapter $3 27A71S 4ATA- 2R<AS)

#rA R/T, *EST,EI)ER( T,E SEX T,ERAPIST A7# TC A7# RA#I2 personality( reports that one of her patients na'ed his pet bird 2nan because he as al ays spilling his seedA The inspiration for that a'using anecdote is the subDect of this chapterA %H%$ 1And it ca'e to pass at that ti'e( that >udah ent do n fro' his brethren( and turned in to a certain Adulla'ite( hose na'e as ,irahA +And >udah sa there a daughter of a certain "anaanite( hose na'e as Shu1ah? and he too! her( and ent in unto herA 3And she conceived( and bare a son? and he called his na'e ErA 0And she conceived again( and bare a son? and she called his na'e 2nanA 3And she yet again conceived( and bare a son? and called his na'e Shelah& and he as at "he@ib( hen she bare hi'A 5And >udah too! a ife for Er his firstborn( hose na'e as Ta'arA 6And Er( >udah s firstborn( as ic!ed in the sight of the -ord? and the -ord sle hi'A 8And >udah said unto 2nan( <o in unto thy brother1s ife and 'arry her( and raise up seed to thy brotherA ;And 2nan !ne that the seed should not be his? and it ca'e to pass( hen he ent in unto his brothers ife( that he spilled it on the ground( lest that he should give seed to his brotherA I$And the thing hich he did displeased the -ord& hereIfore he sle hi' alsoA 2ne of the 'ost fa'iliar of erotic Scriptural stories is that of 2nanA The ter' Gonanis'G has suffered a fate si'ilar to that of the ter' Gsodo'yG in the sense that it has evolved to have a 'eaning far different fro' its original usage 9see "hapter II:A Although there is no contextual Dustification hatever to interpret 2nan1s deed as being one of sexual selfBgratification( the ter' Gonanis'G is universally used as a synony' for 'asturbationA I ill recap the facts of the story Dust to set the record straight& >udah and his ife had a son( Er( ho found disfavor in >ehovah1s sight and as !illed by >ehovah for his ic!ednessA Er had t o younger brothers( 2nan and ShelahA According to the levirate la ( it as 2nan1s obligation as the next older brother to sire a child ith Er s

31

ido Ta'ar for Er had died leaving her childlessA The ter' GlevirateG derives fro' the -atin ord levir hich 'eans Ghusband1s brotherAG The la reads as follo s& F#euterono'y +3&3B%$ 3ifbrethr en d ell together( and one of the' die( and have no child( the ife of the dead shall not 'arry ithout unto a stranger& her husbands brother shall go in unto her( and ta!e her to hi' to ife( and perfor' the duty of a husband1s brother unto herA 5And it shall be that the firstborn hich she beareth shall succeed in the na'e of his brother hich is dead that his na'e be not put out of IsraelA 6And if the 'an li!e not to ta!e his brothers ife( then let his brother1s ife go up to the gate unto the elders( and say( )y husbands brother refuseth to raise up unto his brother a na'e in Israel( he ill not perfor' the duty of 'y husband1s brotherA Then the elders of his city shall call hi'( and spea! unto hi'& and if he stand to it( and say( I li!e not to ta!e her? ;then shall his brother1s ife co'e unto hi' in the presence of the elders( and loose his shoe fro' off his foot( and spit in his face( and shall ans er and say( So shall it be done unto that 'an that ill not build up his brother1s houseA I$And his na'e shall be called in Israel( The house of hi' that hath his shoe loosedA Since 2nan apparently didn1t li!e the idea of being a surrogate for his recently slain brother or of fathering a child that ould never be his( hen he as engaging in coitus ith Ta'ar( he ithdre fro' her vagina and eDacuIlated his se'en on the groundA 4or this act of defiance( >ehovah sle 2nan as ellA But the divine execution as because of disobedience( not because of any sexual i'proprietyA This tale represents the only exa'ple of birth control that one can unearth in the Bible and it significantly represents one of the least reliable 'ethods !no n( next to the rhyth' 'ethodA *ith 'odern !no ledge of sexual anato'y and physiology( it is evident that Ta'ar1s failure to conceive as 'ore probably due to it having been the rong ti'e of 'onth than to 2nan1s pulling out in ti'eA In an average eDaculation( there are hundreds of 'illions of sper' cellsA 2n the head of a straight pin( it is possible to collect 3($$$ or 'ore sper'A 2bviously( if it ta!es only one sper' to fertili@e the fe'ale ovu'( the si'ple act of ithdra al or coitus interruptus does not al ays acco'plish avoidance of pregnancyA 4irst of all( the 'ale secretes a lubricant prior to eDaculation and this preBeDaculate 'ay and often does contain so'e sper' so that by the ti'e he ithIdra s( it is already too lateA Secondly( it is a co''on practice to ithdra Dust as eDaculation begins so that only the entire e'ission is not deposited

32

%0 FfDeF"BFateb ,5fe 1 [ 1 (G[ [ ( F>GA&& dKABAG? C ( inside the vaginaA The greatest concentration of sper' is in the very first drops of se'en to be discharged and si'ply ithdra ing before the co'pleItion of eDaculation is inadeOuate to prevent thousands of sper' fro' startIing on their very rapid Dourney to ard the uterusA Cie ed in this light( Ta'ar s failure to get pregnant probably as due 'uch 'ore to pure luc! than to 2nan1s technical pro essA >ust thin! of the trau'a poor Ta'ar 'ust have sufferedX As 2nan as about to cli'ax( she noticed his eyes rolling around and naturally thought that he as co'ing( but alas he as goingX *hy funda'entalists insist that this passage indicates that 2nan ithIdre and then 'asturbated hi'self to the point of eDaculation is difficult to explain except on the basis of there being no other definite reference to ithdra al or to 'asturbation in all of the ,oly *ritA -iteralists hold that any sex act hich deliberately frustrates the procreative urge 'ust be a sinA Since both coitus interruptus and 'asturbation are nonBprocreative sex techniOues( they 'ust be sinful indeedHso 'uch so that 2nan paid for his sin ith his very lifeA StA Tho'as AOuinas ent so far as to consider 'asturbation as 'ore evil than forcible rapeA ,is reasoning as that even though forcible rape 'ight cause inDury to another person( it could still result in procreation and therefore could not be peccatu' contra natura' 9a cri'e against nature: hereas 'asturbation as definitely against nature since it could never result in procreationA AOuinas no doubt had this text in 'ind hen he rote '

33

the thirteenth century that Gright reason declares the appointed end of sexual acts in procreationAG In all fairness( it should be pointed out that at least one Ro'an "atholic scholar does not ta!e this extre'e vie and distort the 'eaning of the 2nan incidentA "anon AA de S'et( riting in his boo! Betroth'ent and )arriage had this co''ent about 2nan& 4ro' the text and context( ho ever( it ould see' that the bla'e of the sacred riter applies directly to the rongful frustration of the la of the levirate( intended by 2nan( rather than the spilling of the seedA In the 7e Testa'ent( "hrist as Oueried about the levirate and it is note orthy that he in no ay indicated that it had been abrogated or superIsededHhe 'erely used the occasion to assert that there ould be no 'arriage or sex in heavenA /pon first learning of this celestial state of sexlessness( I for one lost absolutely all interest in the hereafter and life eternalA MRC (C/XR M >FJTMBGXAG-F G(G v( C GG "fDapterDtoe %3

=fltattfD2# ++&+3B3$ +3The sa'e day ca'e to hi' the Sadducees( hich say that there is no resurrection( and as!ed hi'( Gsaying( )aster( )oses said( If a 'an die( having no children( his brother shall 'arry his ife( and raise up seed unto his brotherA +37o there ere ith us seven brethren? and the first( hen he had 'arried a ife( deceased( and( having no issue( left his ife unto his brother& F1li!e ise the second also( and the third( unto the seventhA + And last of all the o'an died alsoA +STherefore in the resurrection( hose ife shall she be of the

34

sevenP for they all had herA +;>esus ans ered and said unto the'( Qe do err( not !no ing the Scriptures( nor the po er of <odA 3$4or in the resurrection they neither 'arry( nor are given in 'arriage( but are as the angels of <od in heavenA The levirate as highly specific ith respect to a brother1s obligation to raise up seed to his dead brotherA >ust as specific as the la forbidding a brother fro' i'pregnating his brother1s ife if her husband as still livingA The punish'ent as sterility for all such liaisonsA >leoit!us +$&+% And if a 'an shall ta!e his brother1s ife( it is an unclean thing& he hath uncovered his brother1s na!edness? they shall be childlessA But ith sterility guaranteed any 'an ho i'pregnated his sisterBinBla ( this 'ight be interpreted as an induce'ent to ta!e advantage of the situation since ithout the ris! of pregnancy( no one ould ever !no unless the couple as actually caught in flagrante delictoX As a recurring the'e in the Bible( the pri'itive ,ebre 'ind as convinced that >ehovah offered or ithheld fertility according to the 'ood of the dayA This superstition 'ade the Israelites easy prey for the fertility religions hich surrounded the' ith their alluring entice'ents of ild orgies( te'ple prostitution and phallic i'agery and idols glorifying both the 'ale and fe'ale reproductive organsA %5 F>DeFBaWtteb Si5fe

35

"hapter $5 *EARI7< T,E RA<

T,E ,EBRE*S *ERE AS PRI)ITICE AS T,E TRIBES *,I", surrounded the' hen it ca'e to a belief in ani'is'Hthat is( that blood is the very source of lifeA This as the basis for the prohibition of eating any flesh hich still contained the blood of the dead ani'alA >lC2itX"/S %6&%0 4or it is the life of all flesh? the blood of it is for the life thereof& therefore I said unto the children of Israel( Qe shall eat the blood of no 'anner of flesh? for the life of all flesh is the blood thereof& hosoever eateth it shall be cut offA After "ains fratricide of Abel( >ehovah spo!e to "ain and re'ar!ed that Abels blood as crying fro' the ground to accuse hi' of his brothers 'urderA 9SeneStS 0&;B%% ;And the -ord said unto "ain( *here is Abel thy brotherP And he said( I !no not& A' I 'y brothers !eeperP ?GAnd he said( *hat hast thou doneP the voice of thy brother1s blood crieth unto 'e fro' the groundA GAnd no art thou cursed fro' the earth( hich hath opened her 'outh to receive thy brothers blood fro' thy handA >ehovah1s direct revelations to Israel as his chosen people did not see' to di'inish in the slightest their naive ani'istic beliefsA To the'( the blood had special( 'agical po ers since it literally contained the life forceA It as inevitable( then( that the cere'onial purification for a 'enstruating o'an ould be a 'ost elaborate oneA It as precisely for this reason that it ould have been unthin!able for a o'an to be a priestHher 'onthly uncleanness precluded that she even orship regularly( for it as i'possible for her to enter the sanctuary during her 'onthly 'enstrual periodA

36

DEcCltl"/S %3&%;B+3 GAnd if a o'an have an issue( and her issue in her flesh be blood( she shall be put apart seven days& and hosoever toucheth her shall be unclean until the evenA +$And every thing that she lieth upon in her separation shall be unclean& every thing also that she sitteth upon shall be uncleanA +IAnd hosoever toucheth her bed shall ash his clothes( and bathe hi'self in ater( and be unclean until the evenA GAnd hosoever toucheth any thing that she sat upon shall ash his clothes( and bathe T>FPFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF*AFB "fDaptet Sty %6 hi'self in ater( and be unclean until the evenA +3And if it be on her bed( or on any thing hereon she sitteth( hen he toucheth it( he shall be unclean until the evenA F2>lti"/S %3&+3B+8 +3And if a o'an have an issue of her blood 'any days out of the ti'e of her separation( or if it run beyond the ti'e of her separation? all the days of the issue of her uncleanness shall be as the days of her separation& she shall be uncleanA +5Every bed hereon she lieth all the days of her issue shall be unto her as the bed of her separation& and hatsoever she sitteth upon shall be unclean( as the uncleanness of her separationA +6And hosoever toucheth those things shall be unclean( and shall ash his clothes( and bathe hi'self in ater( and be unclean until the evenA +8But if she be cleansed of her issue( then she shall nu'ber to herself seven days( and after that she shall be cleanA A 'an having intercourse ith a 'enstruating o'an ould( of course( be conta'inated according to the

37

pri'itive ,ebre vie A ,e as to avoid this defile'ent at all costsA DEcCit./S %8,; Also thou shalt not approach unto a o'an to uncover her na!edness( as long as she is put apart for her uncleannessA This prohibition de'anded the death penalty for any couple engaging in coitus during the 'onthly 'enstrual flo A DScX\lti"/S +$,8 And if a 'an shall lie ith a o'an having her sic!ness( and shall uncover her na!edness? he hath discovered her fountain( and she hath uncovered the fountain of her blood& and both of the' shall be cut off fro' a'ong their peopleA Since the death penalty as de'anded for adultery( bestiality( fornication( loss of virginity and ho'osexuality( it should co'e as no surprise that it as also exacted for intercourse during 'enstruationA So'e apologists argue that the penalty of being Gcut off fro' a'ong their peopleG as nothing stronger than exco''unicationA A leading Biblical co''entator has this to say& GExile or death as the punish'ent decreed for sexual relations during 'enstruationAG 9RevA *illia' <raha' "ole in Sex and -ove in the Bible( pA +8$A: Another authority ho states that the G-evitical la i'poses capital punish'ent on both the 'an and the o'an ho co''it this sinG is Raphael Patai in Sex and 4a'ily in the Bible and the )iddle East( pA %33A In another verse( the only penalty for sex during 'enstruation as a ee!1s cere'onial defile'ent hich of

38

course as easily re'oved by ritual purification ritesA DScx\it!us %3&+0 And if any 'an lie ith her at all( and her flo ers be upon hi'( he shall be unclean seven days? and all the bed hereon he lieth shall be uncleanA The Tabooed *o'an 9She1s having her periodX: Since Bible chronology al'ost never corresponds to the order of the Scriptural account( it is uncertain hether capital punish'ent ca'e first and as softened later on or hether the cere'onial defile'ent eventually evolved into a capital offenseA In the boo! of E@e!iel( a passage suggests that not all Israelites abstained fro' intercourse during 'enstruationA The prophet delineates the characterIistics of a Dust 'an and a'ong the' 9E@e!iel %8&5: is his praise for anyone ho has not Gco'e near to a 'enstruous o'anAG It can also be deduced fro' the passage that by this 'uch later ti'e in Israel1s history( the taboo had ea!ened to the point that sex during a o'an1s period as Ouite co''onIplaceA This state'ent ould fortify the position that capital punish'ent for 'enstrual sex preceded the 'ere observance of cere'onial purgingA *hen the 'enstruating o'an finished her ee!1s purification rites subIseOuent to the end of her period( she as to co'e to the priest ith both a burnt offering and a sin offering as atone'ent for her uncleannessA Since the

39

reOuire'ents for a o'an in childbirth ere si'ilar( I shall explore the GsinG aspect of both 'enstruation and childbirth in "hapter %$A DSa\lti"/S %3&+;B3$ +;And on the eighth day she shall ta!e unto her t o turtles( or t o young pigeons( and bring the' unto the priest( to the door of the tabernacle of the congregationA G1And the priest shall offer the one for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering? and the priest shall 'a!e an atone'ent for her before the -ord for the issue of her uncleannessA Even the Tal'ud refers to the taboo associated ith a 'enstruating o'an and the dread in hich she is held hile in that conditionA It relates that hen a o'an 'eets a sna!e on the road( it is enough for her to say( GI a' 'enstruating(G and the reptile ill glide hastily a ayA According to the Tal'ud( if a o'an at the beginning of her period passes bet een t o 'en( she ill cause one of the' to die? if she passes bet een the' near the end of her period( she only causes the' to Ouarrel violentlyA Another text reveals that the Israelites had the eOuivalent of .otex and ta'pons and that G earing the ragG as associated ith real filthA `SaiafD e$&++ Qe shall defile also the covering of thy graven i'ages of silver( and the orna'ent of thy 'olten i'ages of gold& thou shalt cast the' a ay as a 'enstruous cloth? thou shalt say unto it( <et thee henceA That e have not really co'e a very long ay since the ti'e of the Israelites and that e are still inclined to vie

40

'enstruation as a period of contagion and conta'ination is evidenced in a revealing article fro' the Septe'ber( %;63( issue of Psychology TodayA The article is entitled G*o'en -earn to Sing the )enstrual BluesG and in it( author .aren EA Paige analy@es the feelings o'en experience during 'enstruation according to the profile of our three 'aDor religious groups& Protestants( "atholics and >e sA She found that >e ish o'en ho thin! that sex during 'enstruation is unenDoyable and e'barrassing and ho follo a variety of social and hygienic rituals during their periods are those 'ost li!ely to have severe 'enstrual proble's( both physical and e'otionalA "atholic o'en ere 'ore li!ely to consider 'enstrual distress as an integral part of their traditional fe'ale role and this 'eant that those o'en ho believe 'ost strongly that a o'an1s place is in the ho'e and ho have no personal career a'bitions are the 'ost li!ely to have severe 'enstrual difficultiesA Protestants ere 'ore difficult to categori@e since they represent 'ore hetIerogeneous bac!grounds( but in general( they shared ith >e ish and "atholic o'en the tendency to suffer fro' 'enstrual proble's in direct ratio to their religiosity( and to their vie of traditional fe'ininityA *hat Protestant +$ F BCM( ZfitfiBFlattb =3i5fe G C B[G B

41

o'en didn1t share ith their >e ish and "atholic sisters as the strong taboo against sexual relations during 'enstruationA In the case of "atholic o'en( the "hurch 'erely urges abstinence during a o'an1s period( but a'ong 2rthodox >e s( o'en are supposed to abstain fro' sex during their entire period as ell as during seven full days thereafterA They 'ust enter the 'i!vah( a ritual purification bath( hich certifies that they are GcleanG again and able to return to their regular duties and to engage in intercourse ith their husbands once 'oreA The author su''ari@es her excellent article by stating& GThe /nited States does not relegate 'enstruating o'en to special huts( but e have our share of superstitions( and the i'plicit belief lingers that the 'enstruating o'an is uncleanAG She could have added that the death penalty is no longer exacted for any couple engaging in intercourse during the 'enstrual period and that this does represent a degree of progressA

"hapter $6 #2I7< T,E 7ASTQ

Feutticus %3&%8 The o'an also ith ho' 'an shall lie ith seed of copulation( they shall both bathe the'selves in ater( and be unclean until the evenA There is no 'ention in the ,ebre la that a conDugal sex act rendered a 'arried couple uncleanA Therefore( the above text is highly enig'atic and controversial( for it is not clear hether it refers to extraBconDugal acts or to the conDugal act as ell as to any preB'arital or extraB'arital intercourseA At any rate( the i'portant point here is that it as not the sex act in itself hich caused the defile'ent( but rather

42

the se'inal discharge hich naturally involved both partnersA *e ill see in other Ouotations that any obDect hich as touched by a se'inal discharge beca'e uncleanA It logically follo ed that the fe'ale partner in the sex act beca'e corrupted by virtue of contact ith se'enA It is but a step( ho ever( fro' thin!ing of the se'inal discharge as being unclean to thin!ing of the sex act itself as being conta'inating and this vie has undoubtedly had a disastrous i'pact resulting in the baleful antiBsexual bias of the >udeoB"hristian tradition ith its legacy of sha'e and guiltA Another text hich supports the vie of -eviticus %3&%8 as being an indiIcation that all sex acts ere defiling( even those bet een spouses( is the text in hich )oses enDoined the Israelites not to engage in sexual intercourse for L M MM BAG fA ( G (G "iDapter `egen +% three days since >ehovah as going to 'a!e a personal appearance in their 'idst and this as a condition of their preparing the'selves for this 'aniIfestationA )oses had Dust rende@voused ith >ehovah on )ount Sinai and these ords ere his first inDunction to the Israelites upon descending fro' his personal confrontation ith the 'ountaintop tribal deityA b:.:buS %;&%0B%3 GAnd )oses ent do n fro' the 'ount unto the people( and sanctified the people? and they ashed their clothesA l3And he said unto the people( Be ready against the third day& co'e not at your ivesA At least in this instance( there as a 'odicu' of sexual eOuality a'ong the Israelites( for if they indulged in sex during 'enstruation( it as the o'an ho conta'inated the 'anA "onversely( in the above exhortation( it as no the 'an ho conta'inated the o'an by polluting her ith his se'enA

43

"hapter $8 *et #rea's And *an!ing 9Span!ing The )on!ey:

Because of israel1s superstitious belief in both ani'is' and in blood pollution( it naturally follo ed that they vie ed 'enstruation in a negative and unfavorable lightA This does not satisfactorily explain( ho ever( hy they also vie ed se'en itself as being conta'inating except that( li!e 'enstrual blood( it as a bodily disIcharge that defiled everything ith hich it ca'e in contactA But in the case of se'en( the defile'ent lasted only one dayA In the follo ing Ouote( Ga 'an hose seed goeth fro' hi'G could refer either to se'en discharged during 'asturbation or during a nocturnal e'issionA Fariticus ++&0B6 0And h oso toucheth any thing that is unclean by the dead( or a 'an hose seed goeth fro' hi'? #or hosoever toucheth any creeping thing( hereby he 'ay be 'ade unclean( or a 'an of ho' he 'ay ta!e uncleanness( hatsoever uncleanness he hath? 5the soul hich hath touched any such shall be unclean until even( and shall not eat of the holy things( unless he ash his flesh ith aterA And hen the sun is do n( he shall be clean( and shall after ard eat of the holy things? because it is his foodA ++ SfDeFBitateb 33t5fr The 'ost conclusive text on 'asturbation is the follo ing( for hen it spea!s of gar'ents being conta'inated by se'en( it is clear that the author is not referring to intercourseA 2nce again( of course( it could be a reference to a nocturnal e'ission( provided that the sleeping 'ale had his clothes onX

44

>ltvit!us I`&I5BI> i5And if any 'an1s seed of copulation go out fro' hi' then he shall ash all his flesh in ater( and be unclean until the evenAx And every gar'ent( and every s!in( hereIon is the seed of copulation( shall be ashed ith ater( and be unclean until the evenA Still another possible reference to 'asturbation is found in II Sa'uel 3&+; here #avid pronounced a curse on >oab because he as infuriated at his unruly co''anderA The Revised Standard Cersion translates the verse& G)ay the house of >oab never be ithout one ho has a discharge( or ho is lepBF rous( or ho holds a spindleAG A 'aDor Biblical scholar and translator( RA ,A Pfeiffer( translates the latter phrase in The ,ebre Iliad as G'asturbatorAG "urrent British slang ould say G an!erAG The follo ing reference could only refer to a G et drea'G because of the Ouaint ording that the se'inal loss of the 'an Gchanceth hi' by nightAG #euterono'y +3&%$B%% I$if th ere be a'ong you any 'an( that is not clean by reason of uncleanness that chanceth hi' by night( then shall he go abroad out of the ca'p( he shall not co'e ithin the ca'p& Gbut it shall be( hen evening co'eth on( he shall ash hi'self ith ater& and hen the sun is do n( he shall co'e into the ca'p againA There are really only t o ays to vit the fact that a se'inal discharge( hether voluntary or involuntary( caused pollution for only one day visBaBvis a 'enstrual discharge hich caused pollution for seven days beyond its ter'ination& 9I: The ,ebre s vie ed 'enstrual blood as being 'ore taboo than se'en or 9+: The ,ebre s ere

45

practical people above all and fro' a purely econo'ic vantage point( 'en si'ply could not spend as 'uch ti'e engaging in purification rites as did o'enA In either instance( they ere illBprepared to deal ith the secretions of nature and had to concoct elaborate rites to deconta'inate the'selves fro' hat they vie ed as a defiling substance although it is the very source of life itselfA "FrFFFFrFFiPTFGP0GFPFFXNPPtrr?XBP "hapter 9SyfDt +3 *e should not overloo! the possibility that all of the foregoing texts could also refer to pre'ature eDaculationA Psychotherapists contend that it is the 'ost freOuent sexual disorder hich they treat in the 'ale and it is not unli!ely that it as a freOuent sexual dysfunction a'ong ,ebre 'en alsoA

"hapter $; T,E "-AP A7# 2T,ER ST#S

T,E TER) GCE7EREA-G #ERICES 4R2) CE7/S( T,E <2##ESS 24 loveA Popular 'isconception holds that venereal disease as virtually un!no n until "olu'bus discovered A'erica( at hich ti'e he also discovered C#A But there are sufficient references to C# in the Bible to dispel that 'ythA I have previously 'entioned the curse hich #avid pronounced upon >oab 9see "hapter 8:A The first part of the curse declares& G-et there not fail fro' the house of >oab one that hath an issueAG 9II Sa'uel 3&+;: RA ,A Pfeiffer translates this in The ,ebre Iliad as Gone ill ith gonorrheaAG It is i'possible to conDecture hat else it ould beA T o probable references to gonorrhea are found in -eviticus here the cerBe'ony is virtually identical to the ritual for 'enstruationA Fer:ttt"/S %3&%B%3 1And the -ord spa!e unto )oses and to Aaron( saying( +Spea! unto the children of Israel( and say unto the'( *hen any 'an hath a running issue out of his flesh( because of his issue he is uncleanA 3And this shall be his undeanness in his issue& hether his flesh run ith his issue( or his flesh be stopped fro' his issue( it is his uncleannessA 0Every bed( hereon he lieth that hath the issue( is unclean& and every thing( hereon he sitteth

46

shall be uncleanA FAnd hosoever toucheth his bed shall ash his1 clothes( and bathe hi'self in ater( and be unclean until the evenA 5And he that sitteth on any thing hereon he sat that hath the issue shall ash his clothes( and bathe hi'self in ater( and be unclean until the evenA 1And he that toucheth the flesh of hi' that hath the issue shall ash his clothes( and bathe hi'self in ater( and be unclean until the evenA 8And if he that hath the issue spit upon hi' that is clean& then he shall ash his clothes( and bathe hi'self in ater( and be unclean until the evenA ;And hat saddle soever he rideth upon that hath the issue shall be uncleanA GAnd hosoever toucheth any thing that as under hi' shall be unclean until the even& and he that beareth any of those things shall ash his clothes( +0 a3iDeAhB;ftae[\ =3t5fe F[CFCM J )*FI[ G(AJ and bathe hi'self in ater( and be unclean until the evenA GAnd ho'soever he toucheth that hath the issue( and hath not rinsed his hands in ater( he shall ash his clothes( and bathe hi'self in ater( and be unclean until the evenA I+And the vessel of earth( that he toucheth hich hath the issue( shall be bro!en& and every vessel of ood shall be rinsed in aterA I3And hen he that hath an issue is cleansed of his issue( then he shall nu'ber to hi'self seven days for his cleansing( and ash his clothes( and bathe his flesh in runIning ater( and shall be cleanA GAnd on the eighth day he shall ta!e to hi' t o turtledoves( or t o young pigeons( and co'e before the -ord unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation( and give the' unto the priest& I?(and the priest shall offer the'( the one for a sin offering( and the other for a burnt offering? and the priest shall 'a!e an atone'ent for hi' before the -ord for his issueA Fe'ticus %%&F hat 'an soever of the seed of Aaron is a leper( or hath a running issue? he shall not eat of the holy things( until he be cleanA A fairly certain reference to syphilis can be found in the story of )iria'( the sister of )oses and AaronA >ehovah as angry ith )iria' and struc! her ith a curse of leprosyA Aaron i'plored )oses to intercede on her behalf& G-et her not be as one dead( of ho' the flesh is half consu'ed hen he co'eth out of his 'other1s o'bAG 97u'bers %+&%+: RA RA *illcox rote an article for the British >ournal of Cenereal #iseases and interpreted this verse to refer to a case of a stillbirth due to 'acerated syphilisA So'e Bible exegetes interpret a stan@a fro' the Psal's as indicative that #avid suffered fro' a venereal infection hich as probably syphilisA It 'ust be borne in 'ind that GloinsG is a euphe'is' for GgenitalsG and that this choice of ords 'a!es a strong case for venereal diseaseA FpSdttTlS >:2A>:Mo 1There is no soundness in 'y flesh because of th'e anger? neither is there any rest in 'y bones

47

because of 'y sinA 04or 'ine iniOuities are gone over 'ine head& as a heavy burden they are too heavy for 'eA 1)y ounds stin! and are corrupt because of 'y foolishnessA 5I a' troubled? I a' bo ed do n greatly? I go 'ourning all the day longA 4or 'y loins are filled ith a loathso'e disease& and there is no soundness in 'y fleshA GI a' feeble and sore bro!en& I have roared by reason of the disOuietness of 'v heartA "hapter 2nline +3 In the 7e Testa'ent( )atthe ;&+$( -u!e 8&03 and )ar! 3&+5 all refer to "hrist healing a o'an G ho had had a flo of blood for t elve yearsAG Although this could refer to an abnor'al 'enstrual flo ( it could also have been a venereal infection hich had not been diagnosed and treated properly since )ar! reveals that she Ghad suffered 'uch under 'any physiciansAG The legend is retold ith e'phasis on "hrist not turning her a ay or obDecting to her touching hi' to effect her G'iraculousG cureA

"hapter %$ Eve1s "urse 4ulfilled

>E,2CA, ,A# PR2)ISE# T,AT )2T,ER,22# *2/-# BE A trying experience because of the curse pronounced on EveA <enesis 3&%5 /nto the o'an he said( I ill greatly 'ultiIply thy sorro and thy conception? in sorro thou shalt bring forth children? and thy desire shall be to thy husband( and he shall rule over theeA The Psal'ist adopted the vie that all are conceived and born in sinA psal's 3%&3B3 Tor I ac!no ledge 'y transgressions& and 'y sin is ever before 'eA 0Against thee( thee only( have I sinned( and done this evil in thy sight& that thou 'ightest be Dustified hen thou spea!est( and be clear hen thou DudgestA FBehold( I as shapen in iniOuity? and in sin did 'y 'other conceive 'eA It is not unusual( therefore( to learn that 'aternity constituted a for' of conta'ination ith specific instructions

48

for cere'onial purificationA DStX\lti"/` %+&%B8 And the -ord spa!e unto )oses( saying( +Spea! unto the children of Israel( saying( If a o'an have conIceived seed( and borne a 'an child( then she shall be unclean seven days? according to the days of the separation for her infir'ity shall she be uncleanA &1And in the eighth day the flesh of his fores!in shall be circu'cisedA 0And she shall then continue in the blood of her purifying three and thirty days? she shall touch no hallo ed +5 SfDe fiBTW2tb St5fc thing( nor co'e into the sanctuary( until the days of her purifying be fulfilledA GBut if she bear a 'aid child( then she shall be unclean t o ee!s( as in her separation& and she shall continue in the blood of her purifying threescore and six daysA 5And hen the days of her purifying are fulfilled( for a son( or for a daughter( she shall bring a la'b of the first year for a burnt offering( and a young pigeon( or a turtledove( for a sin offering( unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation unto the priest& ho shall offer it before the -ord( and 'a!e an atone'ent for her? and she shall be cleansed fro' the issue of her bloodA This is the la for her that hath borne a 'ale or a fe'aleA 3And if she be not able to bring a la'b( then she shall bring t o turtles( or t o young pigeons& the one for the burnt offering( and the other for a sin offering& and the priest shall 'a!e an atone'ent for her( and she shall be cleanA *hat is unusual about this ,ebre la is the 'ar!ed difference bet een the conta'ination produced by fe'ale

49

and 'ale babiesA If a ,ebre 'other gave birth to a fe'ale child( her period of defile'ent as exactly double that of giving birth to a 'aleA So'e Bible co''entators interpret this as 'erely a preDudice of a patriarchal society here 'ales ere al ays 'ore i'portantA At least one riter( >oseph -e is( has a different opinionA In his boo!( In the 7a'e of ,u'anity( -e is expounds the novel vie that because a 'ale ,ebre infant as circu'cised on the eighth day after his birth( this sacrificial act of circu'cision auto'atically reduced the ti'e reOuired for the 'others cere'onial purification and cut in half her obligations under the la A In su''ary then( if a ,ebre 'other produced a fe'ale child( she as unclean for eighty days? if she produced a 'ale child( she as only unclean for forty daysA Intercourse during this period ould have been unthin!able so that a father as left in the ano'alous position of being happier to have a son than a daughter( but having to abstain fro' sex ith his ife t ice as long each ti'e a daughter as bornX *hile it is relatively easy to co'prehend the pri'itive conception of the conta'inating aspect of 'enstrual blood and even of se'en( it is not so easy to understand hy giving birth( in itself( should conta'inateA So'e Bible students have suggested that the conta'inating aspect of birth as not the parturition per se( but rather the defile'ent caused by fluid fro' the a'niotic sac hich ruptures during the childbirth processA This flo then( li!e the 'enstrual or se'inal flo ( as another bodily discharge hich the ,ebre sa as polluting

50

both the 'other and the infantA "fDapter Fen +6 7ot ithstanding the corrupting nature of the afterbirth( at least one Biblical ad'onition says that in ti'e of great fa'ine( it is per'issible for the 'other to eat both the afterbirth and the ne born childA S:euterono'iy +8&35B36 3The tend er and delicate o'an a'ong you( hich ould not adventure to set the sole of her foot upon the ground for delicateness and tenderness( her eye shall be evil to ard the husband of her boso'( and to ard her son( and to ard her daughter( 1GAnd to ard her young one that co'eth out fro' bet een her feet( and to ard her children hich she shall bear& for she shall eat the' for ant of all things secretly in the siege and straitness( here ith thine ene'y shall distress thee in thy gatesA At this point( e 'ust consider the GsinG aspect of both 'enstruation and of 'otherhood( since ,ebre o'en

ere adDured to 'a!e a sin offering unto >ehovah for both GoffensesAG This har!ens bac! to the curse pronounced on Eve and the hole concept of original sinA It is difficult to accept the funda'entalist dog'a that >ehovah ould create o'an ith a 'enstrual cycle and give her the responsibility of childbearing only to conde'n both acts as sinfulA The result of this teaching( of course( has been to regard sex as a necessary evil( hich concept culrnrnated in outrageous pronuncia'entos by theologians ho either should have !no n better or si'ply shut

51

up about the 'atterA >ero'e( ho translated the -atin version of the Bible !no n as the Culgate( ould not per'it couples to parta!e of the Eucharist in ,oly "o''union unless they had refrained fro' the GbeastlyG act of intercourse for several daysA ,e even ent so far as to declare that Ghe ho too ardently loves his o n ife is an adultererAG So obsessed as he ith sex as evil that he fled to the desert to be closer to <od( yet unable to escape fro' sexual fantasies( he rote& I fancied 'yself a'ongst bevies of dancing 'aidensA )y face as pale and 'y fra'e chilled ith fasting? yet 'y 'ind as burning ith the cravings of desire( and the fires of lust that flared up fro' 'y flesh as as that of a corpseA So helpless( I used to lie at the feet of "hrist( atering the' ith 'y tears( iping the' ith 'y hair( struggling to subdue 'y rebellious flesh ith seven days1 fastingA -i!e other church fathers( >ero'e as convinced that >ehovah had originally intended for hu'ans to propagate the planet in Gangelic fashion(G but they never clarified Dust hat this angelic techniOue ould have been li!eA They +8 FiDe D"B3Fateb Si5fe speculated that >ehovah had foreBseen the 4all and had given Ada' and Eve their genitals because they ould eventually beco'e Gani'alsAG StA Augustine sa sex as sordid even hen it as for procreationA ,e la'ented that e have to co'e into this orld Gbet een the urine and the fecesAG ,e also conDectured that if Ada' and Eve had not fallen into disfavor ith

52

>ehovah( the hu'an race ould probably have reproduced itself by so'e GcleanG 'ethod si'ilar to plant pollinationA Blood Atone'ent The nadir of this negative vie of sex as reached by the earlv church fathers ho advised contiB nence on Thursday in re'e'brance of "hrist1s arrest? on 4riday out of respect for the crucifixion? on Saturday to honor the Cirgin )other? on Sunday in regard for the resurrection and on )onday out of deference to souls ho have departedA Although this left Tuesday and *ednesday for 'arriage partners to satisfy their Gbase instincts(G so'e of the church fathers even forbade sex during all holy days and holy seasonsA *ith such a 'yriad of prohibitions and regulations( e can see Dust ho po erful as the legacy of the >udeoB"hristian sexual( or 'ore accurately( antiBsexual traditionA The Italian theologian Peter -o'bard pontificated ith a straight face that the ,oly Spirit left the bedroo' of a couple engaging in sex even if their purpose as the Glegiti'ateG one of producing offspringA SubseOuently( the idea gained currency that any type of sexual enDoy'ent Gcauses sorro to the ,oly CirginAG Even )artin -uther succu'bed to this extre'e antiBsexual bias and stated characteristically& GIt is i'possible to pray upon the 'arriage bedA It is i'posIsible to have spiritual feelings about hat you do ith your ife in bedAG Although he as never able to escape fro' the feel'g that sex as basically a GbruteBli!eG Ouality( he assured his

53

follo ers that <od G in!sG at 'arital intercourseA *hen as!ed ho often he felt spouses could legiti'ately copulate( -uther replied that about t ice a ee! ould be per'issibleA Thus e have the great refor'er to than! for the tooBlongBheld concept that intercourse t ice a ee! is Gnor'alG for everyoneA "fDapter fen +; In order to couch his t iceBaB ee! prescription for sexual indulgence in 'ore 'e'orable ter's( refor'er )artin -uther co'posed a brief poe'& A ee! t o Is the o'an1s dueA ,ar's neither 'e nor youA )a!e in a year( t ice fiftyBt oA And hile to so'e such a declaration by -uther 'ight see' perfectly innocuous( the degree to hich the Gnor'alcyG factor has been incorporated into our sexual 'ores can be 'ost dra'atically de'onstrated by an actual legal case discovered by sex researcher Alfred .insey in his bac!ground or! on sexual behavior in the hu'an fe'aleA The usually staid and unde'onstrative .insey had to stifle the tears hen he ca'e across a situation in hich the )innesota Supre'e "ourt in %;03 upheld the co''it'ent as a sexual psyIchopath of a 0+ByearBold father of six ho G as 'entally bright( capable( and a good or!er(G because of his uncontrollable craving for sexual intercourse ith his ife( a'ounting in the year before his co''it'ent to approxi'ately three or four ti'es a ee!X 3$ F9DeF"BFateb 33i5fe

Part $3 ,o'osexuality
"lDaptcr aE9@vcn

54

-2T T,*ARTS A <AQ )2B ASSA/-T I7 S2#2) 3+ "hapter ITrivfoe #ACI#1S =/ESTI27AB-E -2CE A44AIR *IT, >27AT,A7 35 "fDapter F9Dirteen T,E -2CE T,AT #ARES 72T SPEA. ITS 7A)E 3;

"hapter %% -ot Th arts A <ay )ob Assault In Sodo'

IT IS A "/RI2/S 4A"T 24 ETQ)2-2<Q T,AT T,E TER) GS2#2)Q(G hich originated as a highly specific description of ho'osexual anal intercourse( has evolved to 'ean so 'any other different thingsA 2ur archaic statute boo!s throughout the /nited States repeatedly refer to ho'osexual oral sodo'y( sodo'y ith ani'als( and to both heterosexual oral and anal sodo'yA This is ho it all began& Abraha'1s nephe -ot ent to live in Sodo'A Because of the great ic!edness of the inhabitants of Sodo'( >ehovah revealed to Abraha' that he as going to destroy this city of the plain together ith her sister city of <o'orrahA Abraha' entreated >ehovah to spare Sodo'( but to no availA >ehovah as illing to spare the life of -ot and his fa'ily( ho ever( and as our story opens( t o angel 'essengers have Dust arrived in Sodo' and -ot has invited the' to stay at his ho'eA %;[%H3 1And there ca'e t o angels to Sodo' at 1 even? and -ot sat in the gate of Sodo'& and -ot seeing the' rose up to 'eet the'? and lie bo ed hi'self ith his face to ard the ground? +and he said( Behold no ( 'y lords( turn in( I pray you( into your servant1s house( and tarry all night( and ash your feet( and ye shall rise up early( and go on

55

your aysA And they said 7ay? but e ill abide in the street all nightA 3And he pressed upon the' greatly? and they turned in unto hi'( and entered into his house? and he 'ade the' a feast( and did ba!e unleavened bread( and they did eatA The lustful 'en of the citv had noticed the t o strangers in their 'idst and they ent to -ot1s ho'e to see! the' out so that they could use the' for their o n sexual gratificationA In verse 3( e encounter the ,ebre verb yada once again( but here the best translation ould be& GBring the' out unto us so that e 'ay rape the'AG %;[0H3 0Fut before they lay do n( the 'en of the city( even the 'en of Sodo'( co'passed the house round( both old and young( all the people fro' every Ouarter& 3and they called unto -ot( and said unto hi'( *here are the 'en hich ca'e in to thee this nightr bring the' out unto us( that e 'ay !no the'A 3+ SfDe fiB Ktteb 33l5ft A? NAAAAA -ot as horrified at the suggestion of sexual liberties being ta!en ith 'en ho ere guests under his roof and he forthright offered to give his t o virgin daughters to the 'ob to do ith hat thev antedA ,e as obviBously 'uch 'ore concerned about his 'ale guests1 rear ends than his o n daughters1 front endsA 2enesis %;&5B8 F1*JIT.1S *\%("/ACV *T*G[ GAnd -ot ent out at the door unto the'( and shut the door after hi'( and said( I prav you( brethren( do not so ic!edlyA 1Behold no

56

B( I have t o daughters hich have not !no n 'an? let 'e( I pray you( bring the' out unto you( and do ve to the' as is good in your eyes& only unto these 'en do nothing? for therefore ca'e thev under the shado of 'v roofA The Sodo'ites ere resentful of -ot( a relative ne co'er to the area( setIting hi'self up as their Dudge and they lunged at hi' and atte'pted to brea! do n the door of his houseA "3eft"St` %;&; And they said( Stand bac!A And they said again( This one fello ca'e in to soDourn( and he ill needs be a Dudge& no ill e deal orse ith thee( than ith the'A And they pressed sore upon the 'an( even

-ot( and ca'e near to brea! the doorA The angel guests pulled -ot inside( bolted the door and struc! all of the Sodo'ite 'ob ith blindnessA <enesis %;n$H%% But the 'en put forth their hand( and pulled -ot into the house to the'( and shut to the doorA GAnd thev s'ote the 'en that ere at the door of the house ith "hapter aSA9tx\en 33 blindness( both s'all and great& so that they earied the'selves to find the doorA The angels then arned -ot of the i'pending doo' of the city and instructed hi' to flee ith all his fa'ilyA "enesis %;B%+B%0 I+And the 'en said unto -ot( ,ast thou here any besidesP sonBinBla ( and thy sons( and thy daughters( and hatsoever thou hast in the city( bring the' out of this place& I3for e ill destroy this place( because the cry of the' is axen great before the face of the -ord? and the -ord hath sent us to destroy itA GAnd -ot ent out( and spa!e unto his sonsBinBla ( hich 'arIried his daughters( and said( /p( get you out of this place?

57

for the -ord ill destroy this cityA But he see'ed as one that 'oc!ed unto his sonsBinBla A The next 'orning( -ot and his fa'ily fled fro' Sodo' and headed for ZoarA a3enests %;&%8B++ I8And -ot said unto the'( 2( not so( 'y -ord& I;behold no ( thy servant hath found grace in thy sight( and thou hast 'agnified thy 'ercy( hich thou hast sho ed unto 'e in saving 'y life? and I cannot escape to the 'ountain( lest so'e evil ta!e 'e( and I die& +$behold no ( this city is near to flee unto( and it is a little one& 2( let 'e escape thither( 9is it not a little oneP: and 'y soul shall liveA +IAnd he said unto hi'( See( I have accepted thee concerning this thing also( that I ill not overthro this city( for the hich thou hast spo!enA ++,aste thee( escape thither? for I cannot do any thing till thou be co'e thitherA Therefore the na'e of the city as called Zo1arA As soon as -ot and his fa'ily entered Zoar( >ehovah obliterated both Sodo' and <o'orrahA %;&+3H+3 +3The sun as risen upon the earth hen -ot entered into Zo1arA +0Then the -ord rained upon Sodo' and upon <o'orrah bri'stone and fire fro' the -ord out of heaven? +3and he overthre those cities( and all the plain( and all the inhabIitants of the cities( and that hich gre upon the groundA So'e hat in defense of hat appears as a heinous act on the part of -ot in offering both his virgin daughters to this sensual 'ob( it should be noted that -ot 'ust have ta!en his responsibilities of 7ear Eastern hospitality so seriously that he did not hesitate to do anything to protect his guestsA That he undoubtedly ould have done the sa'e thing for ordinary hu'an visitors is borne out by the si'ilar account in >udges %; 9see "hapter %5:( but he

58

surely felt his obligation to be even greater ith divine house guests ho ere personal e'issaries of >ehovahA And( of course( as paterfa'ilias( he as able to exercise unli'ited and unOuestioned authority over the life and death of his progenyA *hen the t o angelB'essengers at first declined -ot1s invitation to spend the night under his roof( they no doubt ere follo ing the sa'e 7ear Eastern protocol hich de'anded polite refusal of an offer of hospitality( co'pelling the host to insist on acceptance of his offerA So'e interpreters have declared that the real sin of the Sodo' story as si'ple inhospitality and that li!e the story of 2nan( reading anything 'ore into it is pure speculationA This issue is settled at least partially by a 7e Testa'ent riter na'ed >udeA In his epistle( the riter indicates that the anniIhilation of Sodo' and <o'orrah as due to their general and not Dust to their deviant sexual practicesA ,o ever( if >ehovah obliterated the t o cities of the plain strictly for their gay indulgences( it stri!es 'e as 'ore than a bit sadistic that any god ould create 'ale hu'ans ith an anus that is an exOuisitely sensitive and extre'ely responsive erogenous @one 9another design defectP: and then turn around and cre'ate the' for butt fuc!ingA 3/$" 5H6 5And the angels hich !ept not their first estate( but left their o n habitation( he hath reserved in everlasting chains under dar!ness unto the Dudg'ent of the great dayA Even as Sodo' and <o'orrah( and the

59

cities about the' in li!e 'anner( giving the'selves over to fornication( and going after strange flesh( are set forth for an exa'ple( suffering the vengeance of eternal fireA 7onetheless( the literalness ith hich all funda'entalists and 'any others interpret this story of -ot is evidenced by an incident at a "alifornia legislative session as recent as %;63A *hen a la as being considered

that ould legali@e all consensual sex acts bet een adults( an elderly Pasadena solon ho happened also to be a devout funda'entalist arose to address the floor and proudly proclai'ed in the cli'ax to his appeal to reDect the proIposed la & G2ur capital is Sacra'entoHnot Sodo' and <o'orrahXG "iDapter aEfegen 33 )uch to the chagrin of this legislator and others of his il!( "alifornia finally passed the consensual sex la in %;63 and to this day( both San 4rancisco and -os Angeles( the conte'porary eOuivalents of Sodo' and <o'orrah( are thriving ithout divine interferenceA

"hapter %+ #avid1s =uestionable -ove Affair *ith >onathan

S/", ,AS BEE7 )A#E 24 T,E I77/E7#2 24 ,2)2SEX/A-ITQ in the love felt bet een #avid and >onathanA 2ne theologian ho refuses to see any basis for suspecting a gay love affair bet een the t o also conde'ns any interpretation to the contraryA *illia' <raha' "ole rites in Sex and -ove in the Bib!& GSo'e have seen AAA a

60

suggestion of ho'osexual relations bet een #avid and >onathanA A A A They buttress their argu'ents by citing Tseveral versesUA These fe verses( ho ever( are very fli'sy hoo!s on hich to hang such a theoryA The suspicion is strong that this interpretation co'es fro' those hose o n angle of vision finds ho'osexuality in every possible areaAG 9ppA 383H380A: *ell( so 'uch for the theological argu'entA -et us exa'ine the verses hich are the 'ost i'plicating and let you( the reader( arrive at your o n conclusionA The first Ouote indicates an unusually strong bond bet een the t o 'en and relates an infatuation hich e today ould probably call Glove at first sightAG If in real fife #avid even re'otely rese'bled the 'agnificent statue of hi' sculpted by )ichelangelo( e ho ardently ad'ire the 'ale physiOue can readily e'pathi@e ith >onathans infatuationA I Sa'uel[ %8 1AM3 1And it ca'e to pass( hen he had 'ade an end of spea!ing unto Saul( that the soul of >onathan as !nit ith the soul of #avid( and >onathan loved hi' as his o n soulA +And Saul too! hi' that day( and ould let hi' go no 'ore ho'e to his fathers houseA Then >onathan and #avid 'ade a covenant( because he loved hi' as his o n soulA 0And >onathan stripped hi'self of the robe that as upon hi' and gave it to #avid( and his gar'ents( even to his s ord( and to his bo ( and to his girdleA 1And #avid ent out hithersoever Saul sent hi'( and behaved hi'self isely& and Saul set hi' over the 'en of ar( and he as accepted in the sight of all the people( and also in

61

the sight of Saul1s servantsA 35 a3iDeA`B3tate`\ ;3i5fr The second passage divulges that >onathan so loved #avid that he DeoparIdi@ed his o n standing ith his father Saul in order to save the life of his GloverAG I `a'/t9 %;&%B6 > And Saul spa!e to >onathan his son( and to all his servants( that they should !ill #avidA +But >onathan Saul1s son delighted 'uch in #avid& and >onathan told #avid( saying( Saul 'y father see!eth to !ill thee& no therefore( I pray thee( ta!e heed to thyself until the 'orning( and abide in a secret place( and hide thyself& 3And I ill go out and stand beside 'y father in the field here thou art( and I ill co''une ith 'y father of thee? and hat I see( that I ill tell theeA 0And >onathan spa!e good of #avid unto Saul his father( and said unto hi'( -et not the !ing sin against his servant( against #avid? because he hath not sinned against thee( and because his or!s have been to theeB ard very good& Tor he did put his life in his hand( and sle the Philistine( and the -ord rought a great salvation for all Israel& thou sa est it( and didst reDoice& herefore then ilt thou sin against innocent blood( to slay #avid ithout a causeP 5And Saul hear!ened unto the voice of >onathan& and Saul s are( As the -ord liveth( he shall not be slainA And >onathan called #avid( and >onathan she ed hi' all those thingsA And >onathan brought #avid to Saul( and he as in his presence( as in ti'es pastA

62

The third excerpt recounts that >onathan could not eat because of his distress over Saul1s plan to !ill his beloved #avidHhe as lovesic!A And it retells a scene in hich they !issed and cried together until #avid ran out of tears in the ar's of his idoli@ed co'panionA I Sct'uef +$NyNMAfZ 1Tor as long as the son of >esse liveth upon the ground( thou shalt not be established( nor thy !ingdo'A *herefore no send and fetch hi' unto 'e( for he shall surely dieA 1&And >onathan ans ered Saul his father( and said unto hi'( *herefore shall he be slainP hat hath he doneP (&And Saul cast a Davelin at hi' to s'ite hi'& hereby >onathan !ne that it as deter'ined of his father to slay #avidA G0So >onathan arose fro' the table in fierce anger( and did eat no 'eat the second day of the 'onth& for he as grieved for #avid( because his father had done hi' sha'eA GGAnd it ca'e to pass in the 'orning( that >onathan ent out into the field at the ti'e appointed ith #avid( and a little lad ith hi'A 35And he said unto his lad( Run( find out no the arro s hich I shootA And as the lad ran( he shot an arro beyond hi'A i And hen the lad as co'e to the place of the arro hich >onathan had

shot( >onathan cried after the lad( and said( Is not the arro beyond theeP 38And >onathan cried after the lad( )a!e speed( haste( stay notA And >onathans lad gathered up the arro s( and ca'e to his 'asterA 3;But the lad !ne not any thing& only >onathan and #avid !ne the 'atterA 0$And >onathan gave his artillery unto his lad( and

63

said unto hi'( <o( carry the' to the "ityA 0%And as soon as the lad as gone( #avid arose out of a place to ard the south( and fell on his face to the ground( and bo ed hi'self three ti'es& and they !issed one another( and ept one ith another( until #avid exceededA 0+And >onathan said to #avid( <o in peace( foras'uch as e have s orn both of us in the na'e of the -ord( saying( The -ord be bet een 'e and thee( and bet een 'y seed and thy seed for everA And he arose and departed& and >onathan ent into the cityA Probably the 'ost revealing state'ent about the true nature of this pasIsionate relationship is inAthe reaction of Saul hen he learned of >onathans attraction for #avid( for hen Saul cursed >onathan by saying that he had sha'ed his 'other by his actions( he as 'a!ing as strong an accusation as he could 'a!e under the circu'stancesA I Sa'uef +$%3$ Then Saul1s anger as !indled against >onathan( and he said unto hi'( Thou son of the perverse rebelI lious o'an( do not I !no that thou hast chosen the son of >esse to thine o n confusion( and unto the confusion of thy 'other1s na!ednessP Perhaps #avid1s o n co''ent about this affair ill shed the 'ost light on the subDectA These are #avids o n ords la'enting the death of his dearest co'rade& II Sa'uef %+3B+5 +M,o are the 'ighty fallen in the 'idst of the battleX 2 >onathan( thou ast slain in thine high placesA +5I a' distressed for thee( 'y brother >onathan& very pleasant hast

64

thou been unto 'e& thy love to 'e as onderful( passing the love of o'enA 38 SlfDeFBaforteb Si59e In his Sex in the Bible( RevA To' ,orner says of #avid and >onathan1s affair& GThey ere essentially bisexual 'enAG )aybe that1s all that needs to be saidA

"hapter %3 The -ove That #ares 7ot Spea! Its 7a'e

T,AT )/ST /7#2/BTE#-Q BE T,E -27<EST E/P,E)IS) I7 T,E English language is the Cictorian paraphrase used to refer to ho'osexuality& Gthe love that dares not spea! its na'eAG Ever since the Stone all Riot of %;5; and the advent of <ay -ib( so'e cynics no call it Gthe love that on1t shut upXG The Bible as 'uch 'ore direct in spea!ing of this universally practiced sexual variationA Paul had the 'ost lengthy co''ent to 'a!e about it in his letter to the "hurch at Ro'eA 3W$tttanS .%8B+6 %84or the rath of <od is revealed fro' heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of 'en( ho hold the truth in unrighteousness? GBecause that hich 'ay be !no n of <od is 'anifest in the'? for <od hath she ed it unto the'A GG4or the invisible things of hi' fro' the creation of the orld are clearlv seen( being understood by the things that are 'ade( even his eternal po er and <odhead? so that they are ithout excuse& B1Because that( hen they !ne <od( they glorified hi' not as <od( neither ere than!ful? but beca'e vain

65

in their i'aginations( and their foolish heart as dar!enedA GProfessing the'selves to be ise( they beca'e foolsA +DAnd changed the glory of the uncorruptible <od into an i'age 'ade li!e to corruptible 'an( and to birds( and fourfooted beasts( and creeping thingsA B0*herefore <od also gave the' up to uncleanness( through the lusts of their o n hearts( to dishonor their o n bodies bet een the'selves& G*ho changed the truth of <od into a lie( and orshipped and served the creature 'ore than the "reator( ho is blessed for everA A'enA GTor this cause <od gave the' up unto vile affections& for even their o'en did change the natural use into that hich is against nature& + And li!e ise also the 'en( leaving the natural use of the o'an( burned in their Dust one to ard another? 'en ith 'en or!ing that hich is unsee'ly( and receiving in the'selves that reco'pense of their error hich as 'eetA "fDapter jfDtrteen 3; Paul rote again( this ti'e to the "hurch at "orinth( and expressed his conviction that ho'osexuals ere a'ong those hose perversity in follo ing a hedonistic life 'ade their salvation Ouite hopelessA I "orinthians 5&; H%% ;.no ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the !ingdo' of <odP Be not deceived& neither fornicators( nor idolaters( nor adulterers( nor effe'inate( nor abusers of the'selves ith 'an!ind( I$7or thieves( nor covetous( nor drun!ards( nor revilers( nor extortioners( shall inherit the !ingdo' of <odA GAnd such

66

ere so'e of you& but ye are ashed( but ye are sanctified( but ye are Dustified in the na'e of the -ord >esus( and by the Spirit of our <odA And in a letter to Ti'othy( Paul 'ade it Ouite clear that ho'osexuals ere la brea!ers in the sa'e class ith thieves and 'urderersA I Fi'2tf:F %&8B%% 8But e !no that the la is good( if a 'an use it la fully? 1.no ing this( that the la is not 'ade for a righteous 'an( but for the la less and disobedient( for the ungodly and for sinners( for unholy and profane( for 'urderers of father and 'urderers of 'others( for 'anslayers( I$4or hore'ongers( for the' that defile the'selves ith 'an!ind( for 'enstealers( for liars( for perDured persons( and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine? GAccording to the glorious gospel of the blessed <od( hich as co''itted to 'y trustA Paul( of course( as si'ply carrying on the antiBgay tradition hich had been his legacy fro' the 2ld Testa'ent ritings and the ,ebre la A DSC$Xt!/` %8&++ Thou shalt not lie ith 'an!ind( as ith o'an!ind& it is abo'inationA DScx\itxcus +$&%3 if a 'an also lie ith 'an!ind( as he lieth ith a o'an( both of the' have co''itted an abo'ination& they shall surely be put to death? their blood shall be upon the'A The pri'itive ,ebre 'ind sa 'ale and fe'ale as such clearBcut( disparate entities that it as unthin!able that either sex should even don the apparel of the opposite sexA

67

0$

FcfiBilattb Vi5fc

#euterono'y ++&3 The o'an shall not ear that hich pertaineth unto a 'an( neither shall a 'an put on a o'an1s gar'ent? for all that do so are abo'ination unto the -ord thy <odA As e shall see in "hapter +8( 'any texts Ouoted to indicate a strong antiBgay bias in the ,ebre psyche really do not refer to ho'osexuality per se( but rather the o'nipresent cult prostitution hich abounded in the 4ertile "rescentA So'e have suggested that the 'ale cult prostitute served fe'ale clients only( but since the reference to the' is constandy as Gdogs(G hich is a synony' for Gsodo'ites(G e can be sure that if they did service the fe'ale orshippers( they serviced the 'ales as ellA In the last boo! of the Bible( >ohn includes a'ong those GexcludedG fro' the ,eavenly "ity the Gdogs(G hich is to say Gsodo'itesAG ++[A%0H%3 GBlessed are they that do his co'B'and'ents( that they 'ay have right to the tree of life( and 'ay enter in through the gates into the cityA iy4or ithout are dogs( and sorcerers( and hore'ongers( and 'urderers( and idolaters( and hosoever loveth and 'a!eth a lieA That there as a de'and for both sacred and secular 'ale prostitutes is further evidenced by a re'ar!able passage fro' one of the prophets in hich e have a case of a harlot being exchanged for a boy prostituteA 3 2el 3[%H3 14or( behold( in those days( and in that ti'e( hen I shall bring again the captivity of >udah and

68

>erusale'( +I ill also gather all nations( and ill bring the' do n into the valley of >ehosh1BaBphat( and ill plead ith the' there for 'y people and for 'y heritage Israel( ho' they have scattered a'ong the nations( and parted 'y landA 1And they have cast lots for 'y people? and have given a boy for an harlot( and sold a girl for ine( that they 'ight drin!A A serious Ouestion hich begs an ans er is Dust hat the Bible 'eans by Gho'osexualG since there is really no eOuivalent in ,ebre or <ree! for our English ter'A In The "hurch and the ,o'osexual( >esuit author 4ather >ohn >A )c7eill puts it this ay& "fDapter 1S1fDirteen 0% It can AAA be argued 9I: that hat is referred to( especially in the 7e Testa'ent( under the rubric of ho'osexuality is not the sa'e reality at all or 9+: that the Biblical authors do not 'anifest the sa'e understanding of that reality as e have todayA 4urther( it can be seriously Ouestioned hether hat is understood today as the true ho'osexual and his or her activity is ever the obDect of explicit 'oral conde'nation in ScriptureA To be sure( it can reasonably be argued that there ere no prohibitions against fe'ale ho'osexuality in the 2ld Testa'ent and that this very o'ission indicates that the ,ebre aversion to ho'osexuality as based on their fierce( co'petitive struggle ith other no'adic tribes and that this struggle reOuired all sexual activity to be

69

directed to ard procreationA ,o ever( hen e arrive at Paul1s 7e Testa'ent pronounce'ents( he classified 'ale and fe'ale ho'osexuality under the sa'e rubric of Gunnatural affectionG and in his reference in Ro'ans to fe'ale ho'osexuality( calls it Gthat hich is against nature(G an epithet hich as to find its ay into our 'any A'erican la statute boo!s as a generic ter' for all ho'osexual acts as being Gthe cri'e against natureAG *e did not really have a clear understanding of unnatural sex until sex researcher Alfred .insey provided the ulti'ate scientific definition& GAn unnatural sex act is a sex act hich ould be i'possible to perfor'AG *ith all of this as bac!ground( then( it is of co'pelling interest to exa'ine a recent or! hich suggests that "hrist as very possibly inclined to ard ho'osexualityA The boo! ould not have received 'uch notice except that it as ritten by an e'inent Biblical scholar( #rA )orton S'ith( an EpiscoIpalian priest and professor of history at "olu'bia /niversityA S'ith spent fourteen arduous years in painsta!ing( soulBsearching bac!Iground researchA ,e unearthed a copy of a letter attributed to "le'ent of Alexandria( a <ree! theologian ho died about +%3 AA#A The docu'ent Ouotes t o passages fro' a supposedly secret gospel co'posed by )ar! in Alexandria after the death of Peter and intended only for the eyes of those being initiated into the inner 'ysteries of "hristianity as a fledgling religionA S'iths boo! is entitled The Secret <ospel& The #iscovery and Interpretation of The Secret <ospel According to

70

)ar! and its publication in %;63 touched off an i''ediate ecclesiastical stor' of controversyA The passage hich leads S'ith to his conclusions of "hrist1s ho'ophile proclivities is the follo ing& 0+ jfDeFBFateb 3`t59e TFF1F1FF>fdF"FrFvFF>FrFAi1 And they co'e in Bethany( and a certain o'an( hose brother had died( as thereA And( co'ing( she prostrated herself before >esus and says to hi'( GSon of #avid have 'ercy on 'eAG But the disciples rebu!ed herA And >esus being angered( ent off ith her into the garden here the to'b as( and straighta ay a great cry as heard fro' the to'bA And going near >esus rolled a ay the stone fro' the door of the to'bA And straight ay going in here the youth as( he stretched forth his hand and raised hi' sei@ing his handA But the youth( loo!ing upon hi'( loved hi' and began to beseech hi' that he 'ight be ith hi'A And going out of the to'b they ca'e into the house of the youth( for he as richA And after six days >esus told hi' hat to do and in the evening the youth co'es to ,i'( earing a linen cloth over ThisU na!ed f bodyUA And he re'ained ith ,i' that night( for >esus taught hi' the 'ystery of the !ingdo' of <odA And thence( arising( he returned to the other side of the >ordanA In the secret gospel( "hrist e'erges as a teacher and practitioner of forIbidden occult practices ith strong erotic overtonesA It ould( of course( be the bitterest of ironies if S'ith is correct in suggesting that "hrist hi'self indulged in sexual practices hich have been conde'ned in his na'e for nearly +($$$ vearsA "fDctpter ITfDirteen03

Part $0 RAPE& S2-2 A7# <R2/P

"fDaptcr fourteen RE/BE7 RAPES ,IS 4AT,ER1S )ISTRESS 03 "hapter fifteen S,E",E)( T,E RAPIST( -2SES ,IS 42RES.I7 A7# ,is -I4E 05 "fDapter `thecn T,E A-- 7I<,T <A7< BA7< 3$

"hapter %0 Reuben Rapes ,is 4ather1s )istress

71

<enesis 3L3B++ And it ca'e to pass( hen Israel d elt in that land( that Reuben ent and lay ith Bilhah his father1s concubine& and Israel heard itA It is so'e hat difficult to co'prehend hy Reuben as so severely conde'ned for having sex ith BilhahA In the 'ias'a that is Bible 'orality( perhaps the denounce'ent ca'e because Reuben chose to lie ith Bilhah( ho as Rachel1s servant( rather than ith Zilpah( ho as the servant of his o n real 'other -eahX At any rate( >acob as greatly affronted by Reubens incestuous action and openly reproached hi' before all of his brothersA Reuben as the firstborn son( and >acob1s disenchant'ent as especially poignant in vie of it having been his eldest son ho betraved hi'A <enesis 0;1f 0 And >acob called unto his sons( and said( <ather yourselves together( that I 'ay tell you that hich shall befall you in the last davsA &<ather yourselves together( and hear( ye sons of >acob? and hear!en unto Israel your fatherA 3Reuben( thou art 'v firstborn( 'y 'ight( and the beginning of 'y strength( the excellency of dignity( and the excellency of po er& 0unstable as ater( thou shalt not excel? because thou entest up to thy father1s bed? then defiledst thou it& he ent up to 'y couchA Reuben as fortunate indeed to get off ith nothing 'ore than a public repri'and fro' >acobA According to the ,ebre la ( he as liable for the death penalty for his rebellion against his fatherA 9BD"2bllS +%,3B%6 &3And he that s'iteth his father( or his 'other( shall be surely put to deathA ?3And he that

72

stealeth a 'an( and selleth hi'( or if he be found in his hand( he shall surely be put to deathA And he that curseth his father( or his 'other( shall surely be put to deathA +$1Aty 4or every one that curseth his father or his 'other shall be surely put to death& he hath cursed his father or his 'other? his blood shall be upon hi'A BFFFFFfFFFff>F>FFFaiFffF^ "fDapter fourteen 03

#euterono'y +%&%8B+% I8if a 'an have a stubborn and rebellious son( hich ill not obey the voice of his father( or the voice of his 'other( and that( hen they have chastened hi'( ill not hear!en unto the'& I;then shall his father and his 'other lay hold on hi'( and bring hi' out unto the elders of his city( and unto the gate of his place? +$and they shall say unto the elders of his city( This our son is stubborn and rebellious( he ill not obey our voice? he is a glutton( and a drun!ardA +IAnd all the 'en of his city shall stone hi' ith stones( that he die& so shalt thou put evil a ay fro' a'ong you? and all Israel shall hear( and fearA That the death penalty as even extended to a rebellious son reflects the deeply superstitious belief of the ,ebre s in the inherent po er of ordsA "onseOuently( they believed that neither a blessing nor a curse( once stated( could ever be retracted and it therefore beca'e an eternal pronounce'entA =uite apart fro' the filial irreverence and disobedience hich Reubens act of incest constituted( he as also guilty of brea!ing the ,ebre la and he could hardly have been una are of itA The la as specific and

73

enunciated freOuently in the 2ld Testa'ent canonA Z21AII And the 'an that lieth ith his father1s ife hath uncovered his fathers na!edness& both of the' shall surely be put to death? their blood shall be upon the'A #euterono'y ++&3$ A 'an shall not ta!e his fathers ife( nor discover his father1s s!irt #euterono'y +6&+$ "ursed be he that lieth ith his father1s ife? because he uncovereth his father1s s!irt& and all the people shall say( A'enA

"hapter %3 Sheche'( The Rapist(-oses ,is 4ores!in And ,is -ife

lF>yffF FF *AS >A"2B1S 27-Q #A/<,TERA S,E",E)( A )E)BER 24 fedB,SFAAi the heathen tribe of the ,ivites( desired #inah for a bed partner iA BRi ancF raPed herA ,e fell 'adly in love ith her after raping her r.>)FFi') and as!ed his father ,a'or to get #inah for hi' as his ifeA 05 SlDe D5B39tateb =3i5_e <enesis 30[%H0 1And #inah the daughter of -e1ah( hich she bare unto >acob( ent out to see the daughters of the landA +And hen Sheche' the son of ,a'or the ,ivite( prince of the country( sa her( he too! her( and lay ith her( and defiled herA 1And his soul clave unto #inah the daughter of >acob( and he loved the da'sel( and spa!e !indly unto the da'selA 0And Sheche' spa!e unto his father ,a'or( saying( <et 'e this da'sel to ifeA Sheche'1s father ,a'or conferred ith >acob and as!ed hi' for #inah1s hand in 'arriage to his son( hoping

74

thereby to effect a union bet een the t o fa'iliesA <enesis 30N3H%+ GAnd >acob heard that he had defiled #inah his daughter& no his sons ere ith his cattle in the field& and >acob held his peace until they ere co'eA 5And ,a'or the father of Sheche' ent out unto >acob to co''une ith hi'A And the sons of >acob ca'e out of the field hen they heard it& and the 'en ere grieved( and they ere very roth( because he had rought folly in Israel in lying ith >acob1s daughter? hich thing ought not to be doneA sAnd ,a'or co''uned ith the'( saying( The soul of 'y son Sheche' longeth for your daughter& I pray you give her hi' to ifeA ;And 'a!e ye 'arriages ith us( and give your daughters unto us( and ta!e our daughters unto youA I$And ye shall d ell ith us& and the land shall be before you? d ell and trade ye therein( and get you possessions thereinA GAnd Sheche' said unto her father and unto her brethren( -et 'e find grace in your eyes( and hat ye shall say unto 'e I ill giveA I+As! 'e never so 'uch do ry and gift( and I ill give according as ye shall say unto 'e& but give 'e the da'sel to ifeA >acob1s sons ere resentful of their sister1s rape and they lied to the ,ivites by telling the' that the 'arriage as out of the Ouestion unless the ,ivites ould agree to be circu'cised( thus 'a!ing possible a bond of free interI'arriage bet een the t o fa'iliesA <enesis 301%3H%J GAnd the sons of >acob ans ered

75

Sheche' and ,a'or his father deceitfully( and said( because he had defiled #inah their sister& &0And thev said unto the'( *e cannot do this thing( to give our sister to one that is uncircu'cised? for that ere a reproach unto us& GGbut in this ill e consent unto i.SSSFFF "fDapter fifteen 06 you& If ye ill be as e be( that every 'ale of you be circu'cised? I5Then ill e give our daughters unto you( and e ill ta!e your daughters to us( and e ill d ell ith you( and e ill beco'e one peopleA I6But if ye ill not hear!en unto us( to be circu'cised? then ill e ta!e our daughter( and e ill be goneA ,a'or and Sheche' ere pleased ith the offer and they persuaded all of their fello ,ivites to sub'it to the operation in order to ce'ent the bond bet een the t o groupsA a3eneStS 30&%8B+0 laAnd their ords pi eased ,a'or and Sheche' ,a'or1s sonA I;And the young 'an deferred not to do the thing( because he had delight in >acob1s daughter& and he as 'ore honorable than all the house of his fatherA +$And ,a'or and Sheche' his son ca'e unto the gate of their city( and co''uned ith the 'en of their city( saying( +%These 'en are peaceable ith us? therefore let the' d ell in the land( and trade therein? for the land( behold( it is large enough for the'? let us ta!e their daughters to us for ives( and let us give the' our daughtersA G2nly herein ill the 'en consent unto us for to d ell ith us( to be one people( if every 'ale a'ong us be circu'cised( as they are circu'cisedA +3Shall not their cattle and their substance and every beast of theirs be

76

oursP only let us consent unto the'( and they ill d ell ith usA +0And unto ,a'or and unto Sheche' his son hear!ened all that ent out of the gate of his city? and every 'ale as circu'Icised( all that ent out of the gate of his cityA The Israelites !ne full ell that three days after adult 'ales ere circu'cised( they ould be suffering ith a high fever and a very infla'ed penisA As a result( on the third day after the circu'cision had been perfor'ed on all the ,ivites( Si'eon and -evi entered the ,ivite ca'p( and ta!ing advantage of their severely infir' condition( sle all of the 'en including ,a'or and Sheche'A True to ,ebre tradition( they captured all of the o'en and children and appropriated the cattle and ealth of the ,ivites declaring that they ere thus avenging the rape of their sister #inahA 9genesis 30&+3B3% +3And it ca'e to pass on the third day( hen they ere sore( that t o of the sons of >acob( Si'eon and -evi( #inahs brethren( too! each 'an his s ord( and ca'e upon the city boldly( and sle all the 'alesA +5And they sle ,a'or and Sheche' 08 FtfiBXcWb Si5fe ( CA Z ?(C(C>F?iv( his son ith the edge of the s ord( and too! #inah out of Sheche'1s house( and ent outA + The sons of >acob ca'e upon the slain( and spoiled the city( because they had defiled their sisterA +iThey too! their sheep( and their oxen( and their asses( and that hich as in the city( and that hich as in the

77

field( &;And all their GGG 1GG a[\vgs tVa\ ealth( and all their litde ones( and their ives too! they captive( and spoiled even all that as in the houseA GAnd >acob said to Si'eon and -evi( Qe have troubled 'e to 'a!e 'e to stin! a'ong the inhabIitants of the land( a'ong the "anaanites( and the Per1i@@ites& and I being fe in nu'ber( they shall gather the'selves together against 'e( and slay 'e? and I shall be destroyed( I and 'y houseA 3IAnd they said( Should he deal ith our sister as ith a harlotP Sheche' had 'ade a sincere offer to 'arry #inah and thus de'onstrated his illingness to co'ply ith the Israelite la A The la declared that if a 'an violated a young o'an ho as already betrothed( he then 'erited deathA If( ho ever( the young o'an ho' he had violated as not already betrothed at the ti'e of her deflo ering( he could escape any punish'ent by paying fifty she!els of silver and 'arrying herA bFobu` ++&%5B%6 l GAnd if a 'an entice a 'aid that is not betrothed( and lie ith her( he shall surely endo her to be his ifeA [df her father utterly refuse to give her unto hi'( he shall pay 'oney according to the do ry of virginsA #euterono'y i@&@SB@F &sif a 'an find a da'sel that is a virgin( hich is not betrothed( and lay hold on her( and lie ith her( and they be found? GThen the 'an that lay ith her shall give unto "fDapter fifteen 0; the da'sels father fifty she!els of silver( and she shall be his ife? because he hath hu'bled her( he 'ay not put

78

her a ay all his daysA According to this la ( the only thing Sheche' ould have been forfeiting besides his 'oney as his right ever to divorce #inahA The hole tale ta!es on even 'ore sadistic overtones if one stops to reflect that circu'cision for an adult 'ale is extre'ely painful( especially so hen it is perfor'ed ithout the benefit of anesthesia and ith nothing co'parable to our efficient scalpelA The usual instru'ents referred to in the Bible are sharp !nives or sharp stones and it as truly an unconscionable act for >acob s sons to 'a!e the Sheche'ites sub'it to this ordeal hen they !ne that they ere going to slay all of the' any ayA

"hapter %5 The All 7ight <ang Bang

"ERTAI7 -ECITE A"=/IRE# A "27"/BI7E *,2 -ATER PR2CE# to be unfaithfulA She returned to her father1s house in Bethlehe' and after she had been gone four 'onths( the -evite ent after her in order to try to in her bac!A The o'an1s father !ept the -evite there for three daysA But on the fourth day( the -evite atte'pted to leave ith his concubineB ifeA >/tX>"S %;1%H 0 1And it ca'e to pass in those days( hen there as no !ing in Israel( that there as a certain -evite soDourning on the side of 'ount Ephrai'( ho too! to hi' a concubine out of Bethlehe'BDudah( +And his concubine played the hore against hi'( and ent a ay fro' hi' unto her fathers house to Bethlehe'BDudah( and as there four hole 'onthsA 3And her husband arose( and ent after her( to spea! friendly unto her( and to bring

79

her again( having his servant ith hi'( and a couple of asses& and she brought hi' into her fathers house? and hen the father of the da'sel sa hi'( he reDoiced to 'eet hi'A 0And his fatherBinBla ( the da'sel1s father( retained hi'? and he abode ith hi' three days& so they did eat and drin!( and lodged thereA The fatherBinBla persuaded the -evite to re'ain still another dayA `Nlbgt` %;&3B6 3And it ca'e to pass on the fourth day( hen they arose early in the 'orning( that he rose up to depart& and the 3$ CG FfDeF"BFateb 33i5fe GF

da'sel1s father said unto his sonBinBla ( "o'fort thine heart ith a 'orsel of bread( and after ard go your ayA 5And they sat do n and did eat and drin! both of the' together& for the da'sel1s father had said unto the 'an( Be content( I pray thee( and tarry all night( and let thine heart be 'erryA And hen the 'an rose up to depart( his fatherBinBla urged hi'& therefore he lodged there againA 2n the fifth day( the fatherBinBla again atte'pted to induce the -evite to stay still another night( but this ti'e he ent on his ay ith his concubineB ife and his servantA They Dourneyed as far as >ebus but decided against spending the night there since it as not a city of IsraelA They therefore continued on to <ibeah( a city of the tribe of BenDa'inA

80

/pon their arrival in <ibeah( they ere ithout lodging since no one invited the' to spend the night in the co'fort of a ho'eA `ubgtS %;&8B%3 sAnd he arose early in the 'orning on the fifth day to depart& and the da'sel1s father said( "o'fort thine heart( I pray theeA And they tarried until afternoon( and they did eat both of the'A ;And hen the 'an rose up to depart( he( and his concubine( and his servant( his fatherBinBla ( the da'sel1s father( said unto hi'( Behold( no the day dra eth to ard evening( I pray you tarry all night& behold( the day gro eth to an end( lodge here( that thine heart 'ay be 'erry? and to'orro get you early on your ay( that thou 'ayest go ho'eA %$But the 'an ould not tarry that night( but he rose up and departed( and ca'e over against >ebus( hich is >erusale'? and there ere ith hi' t o asses saddled( his concubine also as ith hi'A GAnd hen they ere by >ebus( the day as far spent& and the servant said unto his 'aster( "o'e( I pray thee( and let us turn in into this city of the >ebusites( and lodge in itA GAnd his 'aster said unto hi'( *e ill not turn aside hither into the city of a stranger( that is not of the children of Israel? e ill pass over to <ib1eBahAIPAnd he said unto his servant( "o'e( and let us dra near to one of these places to lodge all night( in <ib1eBah( or in Ra'ahA GAnd they passed on and ent their av? and the sun ent do n upon the' hen they ere by <ib1eBah( hich belongeth to BenDa'inA 11GAnd they turned aside thither( to go in and to lodge in <ib1eBah& and hen he ent in( he sat hi' do n in a street of the city&

81

for there as no 'an that too! the' into his house to lodgingA "fDapter Sixteen 3% 4inally( an old 'an ca'e along and offered the' lodging for the night at his ho'eA `vbg"S %;n5B+l I5And( behold( there ca'e an old 'an fro' his or! out of the field at even( hich as also of 'ount Ephrai'? and he soDourned in <ib1eBah& but the 'en of the place ere BenDa'itesA X And hen he had lifted up his eyes( he sa a ayfaring 'an in the street of the citvG and the old 'an said( *hither goest thouP and hence co'est thouP ISAnd he said unto hi'( *e are passing fro' Bethlehe'BDudah to ard the side of 'ount Ephrai'? fro' thence a' I& and I ent to Bethlehe'BDudah( but I a' no going to the house of the -ord? and there is no 'an that receiveth 'e to houseA I;Qet there is both stra and provender for our asses? and there is bread and ine also for 'e( and for thy hand'aid( and for the young 'an hich is ith thy servants& there is no ant of any thingA +$And the old 'an said( Peace be ith thee? ho soever( let all thy ants lie upon 'e? only lodge not in the streetA &lSo he brought hi' into his house( and gave provender unto the asses& and they ashed their feet( and did eat and drin!A As the guests ere enDoying the'selves at the ho'e of their host( so'e of the 'en of the city surrounded the house and beat on the door of the house de'anding that the host give the' his 'ale guest so that they could rape

82

hi'A 3ubaDeS %;&++ 7o as they ere 'a!ing their hearts 'erry( behold( the 'en of the city( certain sons of Be1liBal( beset the house round about( and beat at the door( and spa!e to the 'aster of the house( the old 'an( saying( Bring forth the 'an that ca'e into thine house( that e 'ay !no hi'A The 'aster of the house atte'pted to dissuade the' fro' their lustful assault by offering the' his virgin daughter and also the 'an1s concubineB ife for their sexual gratificationA >/2">"S %;B+3H+0 GAnd the 'an( the 'aster of the house( ent out unto the'( and said unto the'( 7ay( 'y brethren( nay( I pray you( do not so ic!edly? seeing that this 'an is co'e into 'ine house( do not this follyA +0Behold( here is 'y daughter a 'aiden( and his concubine? the' I ill bring out no ( and hu'ble ye the'( and do ith the' hat see'eth good unto you& but unto this 'an do not so vile a thingA 3+ PTee?:"BGRateb 33i5fe The 'en of the city reDected the old 'an1s offer( but hen the -evite gave the' his concubineB ife in a genuine display of Biblical chivalry( they too! her and raped her( abusing her all nightA They finally released her at da nA 3llaXeeS %;+3 But the 'en ould not hear!en to hi'& so the 'an too! his conIcubine( and brought her forth unto the'& AR FB ( (R AAAA HH R ( (L L and they !ne her( [8]VGgg BR2i[ and abused her all the night until the 'orning& and hen the day began to spring( they let her goA At davbrea!( the concubine fell do n at the door of the houseA *hen the -evite discovered her lying there at the

83

door( he co''anded her to get up to prepare to leaveA She did not respond( ho ever( since she as already deadA ,e then loaded her body onto his Dac!ass and departed for his ho'eA FubcDes %;&+5B+6 &5Then ca'e the o'an in the da ning of the dav( and fell do n at the door of the 'an1s house here her lord as( till it as lightA M And her lord rose up in the 'orning( and opened the doors of the house( and ent out to go his ay& and( behold( the o'an his concubine as fallen do n at the door of the house( and her hands ere upon the thresholdA /pon arriving ho'e( the -evite dis'e'bered his ife1s body into t elve parts and then sent one part to each of the t elve tribes of Israel to apprise the' of hat had happened to her at the hands of the BenDa'inites of <ibeahA DlibcDeS %;&+8B3$ &sAnd he said unto her( /p( and let us be goingA But none ans eredA Then the 'an too! her up upon an ass( and the 'an rose up( and gat hi' unto his placeA +;And hen he as co'e into his house( he too! a !nife( and laid hold on his "fDapter Sixteen 33 concubine( and divided her( together ith her bones( into t elve pieces( and sent her into all the coasts of IsraelA 3$And it as so( that all that sa it said( There as no such deed done nor seen fro' the day that the children of

84

Israel ca'e up out of the land of Egypt unto this day& consider of it( ta!e advice( and spea! your 'indsA The si'ilarities bet een this narrative and the story of -ot in Sodo' are so great that even so'e Biblical co''entators have been unable to resist the te'ptation to declare that they are 'erely t o versions of the sa'e eventA This vie point overloo!s so'e i'portant considerations( na'ely the fact that there are significant differences of detail bet een the t o accounts& %A In the Sodo' story( -ot entertained t o angels disguised as 'en ho had been sent by >ehovah to arn of the i'pending doo' of the depraved city( hereas in the <ibeah account( the host entertained a -evite( an ordinary hu'an( and his 'istress( both of ho' happened to be traveling and sought lodging for the nightA +A In the Sodo' story( -ot offered both his virgin daughters to the raucous 'ob to dissuade the' fro' raping his t o 'ale guests( hereas in the <ibeah account( the host had only one virgin daughter ho' he also offered in place of his 'ale guestA 3A In the Sodo' story( the 'ob of Sodo'ites sho ed no interest in -ot1s offer of his t o daughters( hereas in the <ibeah account( although the 'ob reDected the offer of the host1s single virgin daughter to do ith hat they pleased( they did accept the offer of the 'ale guest1s concubine and proceeded anon to abuse her all nightA 0A In the Sodo' story( the punish'ent of the Sodo'ites as the i''ediate execration of blindness

85

i'posed by the t o angels and the eventual annihilaItion of the entire city by >ehovah( hereas in the <ibeah account( the retaliation as purely hu'an in the for' of a bloody battle ith >ehovah as overseerA This unbelievably cruel carnage as precipitated by the -evite ho cut the corpse of his 'istress into t elve pieces and sent each piece to one of the t elve tribes of Israel as evidence of the 'urderous rape she had suffered at the hands of the BenDa'inites 9see "hapter 0$:A

Part $3 Adultery? Atte'pted( Real And 4orgiven

"fDaptcr Seventeen P2TIP,AR1S *I4E ,ITS 27 TEE7 ,/7. >2SEP, 35 "fDaptct 9E!DfDteen .I7< #ACI# "2))ITS B2T, A#/-TERQ A7# )/R#ER 38 "hapter =r/netecn "AST T,E 4IRST ST27E 50

"hapter %6 Potiphar1s *ife ,its 2n Teen ,un! >oseph

A""2R#I7<T2 <E7ESIS 36&+( >2SEP, *AS A %6BQEARB2-# -ATE adolescent at the ti'e of his being sold into slaveryA The Ish'aelites sold >oseph in Egypt to Potiphar( the captain of Pharaoh1s guardA >ehovah so favored >oseph in his position that he prospered and found 'uch favor in Potiphar1s sightA <enesis 3;[%H3 1And >oseph as brought do n to Egypt? and Pot1iphar( an officer of Pharaoh( captain of the guard( an Egyptian( bought hi' of the hands of the Ish1B'aelites( hich had brought hi' do n thitherA +And the -ord as ith >oseph( and he as a prosperous 'an? and he as in the house of his 'aster the EgyptianA >And his 'aster

86

sa that the -ord as ith hi'( and that the -ord 'ade all that he did to prosper in his handA Potiphar soon pro'oted >oseph to the position of overseer of his houseIhold and Potiphar shared in the blessings hich >ehovah rained on >osephA Cerse 5 reveals that >oseph as G ellBfavoredG hich 'eans in today1s parlance that he as a stri!ingly handso'e young 'anA "eneStS 3;1A0B5 0And >oseph found grace in his sight( and he served hi'& and he 'ade hi' overseer over his house( and all that he had he put into his handA 3And it ca'e to pass fro' the ti'e that he had 'ade hi' overseer in his house( and over all that he had( that the -ord blessed the Egyptian1s house for >osephs sa!e? and the blessing of the -ord as upon all that he had in the house( and in the fieldA 5And he left all that he had in >oseph1s hand& and he !ne not ought he had( save the bread hich he did eatA And >oseph as a goodly person and ellBfavoredA Potiphar1s ife found the co'ely lad1s youthful char' and innocence irresistible( but she as hardly prepared for >oseph1s reDection of her advancesA <enesis 3;&6B; GAnd it ca'e to pass after these things( that his 'aster1s ife cast her eyes upon >oseph? and she said( -ie ith 'eA 1sBut he refused( and said unto his 'asters ife( Behold( 'y 'aster otteth not hat is ith 'e in the house( and he hath co''itted all that he hath to 'y hand? 1there is none greater in this house than I? neither hath he !ept bac! any thing fro' 'e but

87

35

STDeFBFateb Bi5fe PAA

thee( because thou art his ife& ho then can I do this great ic!edBness( and sin against <odP She as persistent in her atte'pts to seduce the youth( but >oseph as Dust as steadIfast in refusing to co'plyA "enesis 3;&%$ And it ca'e to pass( as she spa!e to >oseph day by day( that he hear!ened not unto her( to lie by her( or to be ith herA [[1S VVRrttVT 2ne day Potiphar1s ife could restrain herself no longer and she grabbed >oseph by the sleeve of his gar'ent and begged hi' to fornicate ith herA As the attractive youth fled fro' her presence( his gar'ent tore and Potiphar s ife as left ith it in her handA 2enesis 3;[,H%+B nAnd it ca'e to pass about this ti'e( that >oseph ent into the house to do his business? and there as none of the 'en of the house there ithinA I+And she caught hi' by his gar'ent( saying( -ie ith 'e& and he left his gar'ent in her hand( and fled( and got hi' outA She then called the other 'en of the household and contrived the story that >oseph had tried to rape herA 3;B%3BF3 GAnd it ca'e to pass( hen she sa that he had left his gar'ent in her hand( and as fled forth( GThat she

88

called unto the 'en of her house( and spa!e unto the'( saying( See( he hath brought in an ,ebre unto us to 'oc! us? he ca'e in unto 'e to lie ith 'e( and I cried ith a loud voice& 1GAnd it ca'e to pass( hen he heard that I lifted up 'y voice and cried( that he left his gar'ent ith 'e( and fled( and got hi' outA "fDapter Seventeen 36 She !ept >oseph1s rent gar'ent so that hen Potiphar returned( she as able to relate the story to hi' and to dra'ati@e her accusation by sho ing hi' the torn gar'ent as evidence of >oseph1s intended assaultA 9#enests 3;&%5B%8 I5 And she laid up his gar'ent by her( until his lord ca'e ho'eA 1And she spa!e unto hi' according to these ords( saying( The ,ebre servant( hich thou hast brought unto us( ca'e in unto 'e to 'oc! 'e& ISAnd it ca'e to pass( as I lifted up 'y voice and cried( that he left his gar'ent ith 'e( and fled outA Potiphar as predictably enraged over >oseph1s alleged rape of his ife and he consigned hi' to Pharaoh1s prison for his supposed 'isconductA 3;[F;H+$ I;And it ca'e to pass( hen his 'aster heard the ords of his ife( hich she spa!e unto hi'( saying( After this 'anner did thy servant to 'e? that his rath as !indledA GAnd >oseph1s 'aster too! hi'( and put hi' into the prison( a place here the !ing1s prisoners ere bound& and he as there in the prisonA The storv has a happy ending since( despite the 'alevolent sche'e of Potiphar s ife( >oseph eventually rose to a position of pro'inence in Egypt that 'ade hi' secondBinBco''and to Pharaoh and enabled hi' to help his fa'ily

89

during a period of great fa'ineA 4or a change( the story of >oseph relates the tale of so'eone ho respected hat he considered to be the propIerty of another personX

"hapter %8 .ing #avid "o''its Both Adultery And )urder

*,E7 #Avi# 4IRST SP2TTE# BAT,S,EBA 4R2) ,IS R224 AS S,E as ta!ing a bath( he asted no ti'e in finding out ho she as and in having her brought to hi' so that he could fornicate ith herA ,e as illing to obey the ,ebre la in partH before co''itting adultery ith Bathsheba( he 'ade sure that she had finished her postB'enstrual cere'onial purification ritesA 2nly then did he freely engage in the adulterous act ith herA 38 PGf:eF5B3[ateb 33i5fe J RM M ( A( ( G1 ( IISa'uefii&+ H0 &And it ca'e to pass in an eveningtide( that #avid arose fro' off his bed( and al!ed upon the roof of the !ing1s house& and fro' the roof he sa a o'an ashing herself? and the o'an as very beautiful to loo! uponA >And #avid sent and inOuired after the o'anA And one said( Is not this BathBshe1ba( the daughter of Eli1a'( the ife of /ri1ah the ,ittiteP 0And #avid sent 'essengers( and too! her? and she ca'e in unto hi'( and he lav ith her? for she as purified fro' her uncleanness& and she returned unto her houseA Bathsheba beca'e pregnant by #avid and upon hearing this( he arranged for the return fro' the front lines of Bathsheba1s husband /riahA #avid inOuired of /riah ho the ar as progressing and he told hi' that he as free

90

to spend the night at ho'eA /riah( ho ever( as a faithful arrior( spent the night instead at the gate of #avid1s palace and therefore foiled #avid1s plan to cover up Bathsheba1s pregnancyA II Sa'uef %%X3H; GAnd the o'an conceived( and sent and told #avid( and said( I a' ith childA 5And #avid sent to >o1ab( saying( send 'e /ri1ah the ,ittiteA And >oab sent /ri1ah to #avidA And hen /ri1ah as co'e unto hi'( #avid de'anded of hi' ho >o1ab did( and ho the people did( and ho the ar prosIperedA 8And #avid said to /ri1ah( <o do n to thy house( and ash thy feetA And /ri1ah departed out of the !ing1s house( and there follo ed hi' a 'ess of 'eat fro' the !ingA ;But /ri1ah slept at the door of the !ing1s house ith all the servants of his lord( and ent not do n to his houseA *hen #avid learned that /riah had not gone ho'e( he Oueried hi' and he explained that he could not in a ti'e of ar put his o n co'fort and pleasIure firstA II Sctntuef %CA%$M%% I$And hen they had told #avid( saying( /ri1ah ent not do n unto his house( #avid said unto /ri1ah( "a'est thou not fro' thy DourneyP *hy then didst thou not go do n unto thine houseP GAnd /ri1ah said unto #avid( The ar!( and Israel( and >udah( abide in tents? and 'y lord >o1ab( and the servants of 'y lord( are enca'ped in the open fields? shall I then go into 'ine house( to eat and to drin!( and to lie ith 'y ifeP As thou livest( and as thy soul liveth( I ill not do this thingA

91

#avid urged /riah to spend one 'ore day ith hi' and even though #avid got /riah plastered that night( he once again stayed at the palace rather than ta!e advantage of the opportunity to spend the night ith his ife BathshebaA II Sa'uef %CA%+H%3 I+And #avid said to /ri1ah( Tarry here today also( and to'orro I ill let thee departA So /ri1ah abode in >erusale' that day( and the 'orro A I3And hen #avid had called hi'( he did eat and drin! before hi'? and he 'ade hi' drun!& and at even he ent out to lie on his bed ith the servants of his lord( but ent not do n to his houseA The next day( #avid sent a 'essage to his co''ander >oab for /riah to be put in the front lines of battle and >oab executed his co''andA /riah then died in battle and the 'essage of his death as i''ediately trans'itted to #avid so that the 'onarch !ne that his plot had succeededA 5$ ZfefiBFattb 33t5fe II Sct'uef %%,0B+L3 GAnd it ca'e to pass in the 'orning( that #avid rote a letter to >o1ab( and sent it by the hand of /ri1ahA xMAnd he rote in the letter( saying( Set ye /ri1ah in the forefront of the hottest battle( and retire ye fro' hi'( that he 'ay be s'itten( and dieA GAnd it ca'e to pass( hen >o1ab observed the city( that he assigned /ri1ah unto a place here he !ne that valiant 'en ereA 1And the 'en of the city ent out( and fought ith >o1ab& and there fell

92

so'e of the people of the servants of #avid? and /ri1ah the ,ittite died alsoA ISThen >o1ab sent and told #avid all the things concerning the ar? I;and charged the 'essenger( saying( *hen thou hast 'ade an end of telling the 'atters of the ar unto the !ing( Miand if so be that the !ing1s rath arise( and he say unto thee( *herefore approached ye so nigh unto the city hen ye did fightP !ne ye not that they ould shoot fro' the allP &i*ho s'ote Abi'1elech the( son of >erub1beshethP did not a o'an cast a piece of a 'illstone upon hi' fro' the all( that he died in Thebe@P hy ent ye nigh the allP then say thou( Thy servant /ri1ah the ,ittite is dead alsoA GSo the 'essenger ent( and ca'e and sho ed #avid all that >o1abA had sent hi' forA GGAnd the 'essenger said unto #avid( Surely the 'en prevailed against us( and ca'e out unto us into the field( and e ere upon the' even unto the entering of the gateA B0And the shooters shot fro' off the all upon thy servants? and so'e of the !ing1s servants be dead( and thy servant /ri1ah the ,irtite is dead alsoA MThen #avid said unto the 'essenger( Thus shalt thou sav unto >o1ab( -et not this thing displease thee( for the s ord devoureth one as ell as another& 'a!e thy battle 'ore strong against the city( and overthro it& and encourage thou hi'A /pon learning of her husband1s de'ise( Bathsheba observed a suitable period of 'ourning and then 'arried #avid and bore hi' a sonA II 3a'uef %%%+5B+6 &5And hen the ife of /ri1ah heard that /ri1ah her husband as dead( she 'ourned for her husbandA GAnd hen the 'ourning as past( #avid sent

93

and fetched her to his house( and she beca'e his ife( and bare hi' a sonA But the thing that #avid had done displeased the -ordA #avid as unOuestionably fa'iliar ith the Seventh "o''and'ent of the #ecalogue and its prohibition against adulteryA It ould have been advisable "hapter byfDteen 5% for hi' to follo the advice that his son( Solo'on( as to rite far in the future in the Boo! of ProverbsA son( !eep thy father1s co''andB'ent( and forsa!e not the la of thy 'other& +Ibind the' continually upon thine heart( and tie the' about thy nec!A ++*hen thou goest( it shall lead thee? hen thou sleepest( it shall !eep thee? and hen thou a a!est( it shall tal! ith theeA +34dr the co''and'ent is a la'p? and the la is light? and reproofs of instruction are the ay of life& +0to !eep thee fro' the evil o'an( fro' the flattery of the tongue of a strange o'anA F-ust not after her beauty in thine heart? neither let her ta!e thee ith her eyelidsA +54or by 'eans of a horish o'an a 'an is brought to a piece of bread& and the adulteress ill hunt for the precious lifeA +1"an a 'an ta!e fire in his boso'( and his clothes not be burnedP +8"an one go upon hot coals( and his feet not be burnedP +;So he that goeth in to his neighbor1s ife? hosoever toucheth her shall not be innocentA The prophet 7athan severely denounced #avid for his deplorable act of 'urder and for his illicit liaison ith Bathsheba and he prophesied that >ehovah ould punish #avid for his transgressions by allo ing the child he

94

ould have by Bathsheba to dieA The child did die( despite #avid1s fasting and prayers of entreaty to >ehovah to spare the child1s lifeA /ndaunted( #avid sired another child by BathshebaA This son( Solo'on( as allo ed to liveA But 7athan also pro'ised #avid that his ives ould one day be given to another 'an ho ould go to bed ith the' in public vie to sha'e #avid before all IsraelA #avid1s concupiscence for Bathsheba had been in secret( but the violation of #avid1s ives ould be in publicA -ittle could #avid have guessed that the G'anG ho ould do this igno'inious act to hi' ould be his o n son( Absalo' 9see "hapter 0:A II Sa'uef %+&%%B%8 GThus saith the -ord( Behold( I ill raise up evil against thee out of thine o n house( and I ill ta!e thy ives before thine eyes( and give the' unto thy neighbor( and he shall .e ith thy ives in the sight of this sunA I+4or thou didst it secrerly& but I ill do this thing before all Israel( and before the sunA 1MAnd #avid said unto 7athan( I have sinned against the -ordA And 7athan said unto #avid( The -ord also hath put a ay thy sin? thou shalt not dieA I0,o beit( because by this deed thou 5+ WicfiBFXatcb Fi5fe hast given great occasion to the ene'ies of the -ord to blasphe'e( the child also that is born unto thee shall surely dieA I^And 7athan departed unto his houseA And the -ord struc! the child that /ri1ah1s ife bare unto #avid( and it as very sic!A I5#avid thereIfore besought <od for the child? and #avid fasted( and ent in( and lay all night upon the earthA l&And the elders of his house arose( and ent to hi'( to raise hi' up fro' the earth& but he ould

95

not( neither did he eat bread ith the'A I8And it ca'e to pass on the seventh day( that the child diedA II Sa'uef %+X+0 And #avid co'forted BathBshe1ba his ife( and ent in unto her( and lay ith her? and she bare a son( and he called his na'e Solo'on& and the -ord loved hi'A 2ne other i'portant point needs clarification here ith respect to the story of #avid1s adultery ith Bathsheba and 'urder of /riahA *hen #avid urged /riah to go in to his ife and spend the night ith her( /riah1s reply indicated that it as custo'ary for soldiers of ar to refrain fro' sexual relations hen they ere involved ith fulfilling their 'ilitary responsibilitiesA II Sa'ut9 %%%%% And /ri1ah said unto #avid( The ar!( and Israel( and >udah( abide in tents? and 'y lord >o1ab( and the serIvants of 'y lord( are enca'ped in the open fields? shall I then go into 'ine house( to eat and to drin!( and to lie ith 'y ifeP as thou livest( and as thy soul liveth( I ill not do this thingA Another account hich stresses this point even 'ore effectively is that of #avids getting holy bread fro' Ahi'elech the priest and being told by Ahirnelech that he could not have the bread for his 'en unless they had been continentA #avid1s reply indicates that it as al ays the practice to abstain sexually hen on 'ilitary expeditionsA /nfortunately( this particular Ouote is extre'ely obscure in the .ing >a'es Cersion and the Ouote used here is fro' the Revised Standard Cersion of %;3+A I Sa'uef +%&%B5 Then ca'e #avid to 7ob to Ahi'elech the priest? and Ahi'elech ca'e to 'eet #avid tre'bling(

96

and said to hi'( G*hy are you alone( and no one ith youPG +And #avid said to Ahi'elech the priest( GThe !ing has charged 'e ith a 'atter( and said to 'e( 1-et no one !no anything of the 'atter about hich I send you( and ith hich I have charged youA1 I have 'ade rSirDFFTFFFMiMaFFMCGJFTFT>QF "fDapter bigf:teen 53

an appoint'ent ith the young 'en for such and such a placeA 17o then( hat have you at handP <ive 'e five loaves of bread( or hatever is hereAG kAnd the priest ans ered #avid( GI have no co'I'on bread at hand( but there is holy bread? if only the young 'en have !ept the'selves fro' o'enAG 3And #avid ans ered the priest( G2f a truth o'en have been !ept fro' us as al ays hen I go on an expedition? the vessels of the young 'en are holy( even hen it is a co''on Dourney? ho 'uch 'ore today ill their vessels be holyPG 5So the priest gave hi' the holy bread? for there as no bread there but the bread of the Presence( hich is re'oved fro' before the -ord( to be replaced by hot bread on the day it is ta!en a ayA Poor /riah ould have been ellBadvised to follo the advice given earlier about leaving a ife in ti'e of arA F#euterono'y +$&6 And hat 'an is there that hath betrothed a ife( and hath not ta!en herP let hi' go and return unto his house( lest he die in the battle( and another 'an ta!e herA In their sexual naivete( the Israelites no doubt thought that by refraining fro' sexual indulgence( they ould have 'ore strength to devote to their dutiesA This 'yth dies hard( for even today( in both college and professional

97

athletics( coaches freOuently insist that tea' 'e'bers be continent before a ga'eA The 'yth see'ingly continues because of a belief that a se'inal discharge ea!ens( and conversely( avoidance of eDaculation ill allo the se'en to be reabsorbed into the syste' and provide increased strength and enduranceA There is also roo' for conDecture that a'ong the ,ebre s( abstinence fro' sex as loo!ed upon as a sacrifice 'ade Gin the line of dutyAG

"hapter %; "ast The 4irst Stone

>2f>rt o1%H%% &>esus ent unto the 'ount of 2livesA &And early in the 'orning he ca'e again into the te'ple( and all the people ca'e unto hi'? and he sat do n( and taught the'A GAnd the scribes and Pharisees brought unto hi' a o'an ta!en in adultery? and hen they had set her in the 'idst( 1they say unto hi'( )aster( this o'an as ta!en in adulter:1( in the very actA ^7o )oses in the la co''anded us( that such should be stoned& but 50 PTDe ftBMRattb Bi5fi hat sayest thouP This they said( te'pting hi'( that they 'ight have to accuse hi'A But >esus stooped do n( and ith his finger rote on the ground( as though he heard the' notA 1So hen they continued as!ing hi'( he lifted up hi'self( and said unto the'( ,e that is ithout sin a'ong you( let hi' first cast a stone at herA 8 And again he stooped do n( and rote on the groundA ;And they hich heard it( being convicted by their o n conscience( ent

98

out one by one( beginning at the eldest( even unto the last& and >esus as left alone( and the o'an standing in the 'idstA I$*hen >esus had lifted up hi'self( and sa none but the o'an( he said unto her( *o'an( here are those thine accusersP hath no 'an conIde'ned theeP GShe said( 7o 'an( -ordA And >esus said unto her( 7either do I conde'n thee& go( and sin no 'oreA It is freOuently pointed out that "hrist did not insulate hi'self fro' the co''on people and that he often consorted ith thieves( prostitutes and( in this case( an adulteressA True enough( but the significance of this fa'iliar inciIdent is that "hrist had a perfect opportunity to conde'n the severity of the ,ebre la hich

reOuired death for adulteryA DScX\itX"/S +$&i$ And the 'an that co''itteth adultery ith another 'an1s ife( even he that co''itteth adultery ith his neighbor1s ife( the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to deathA Instead of denouncing the 'onstrous and barbaric la ( all the .ing of .ings( the Prince of Peace and the -ord of -ords did as to 'a!e a proInounce'ent about hypocrisy by scribbling so'e 'cri'inating evidence in the sandA Although the ouldBbe executioners disbanded and the adulteress1 life as saved( the alleged son of <od gave his i'plicit approval of the cruel and inhu'ane prohibition against adultery and his hesitation to spea! out serves as a stinging indict'ent of his o n 'oral codeA "an death ever be considered Dust punish'ent for a 'ere sexual infractionP By virtue of his silence( >esus "hrist condoned and upheld the horrendous )osaic statute and

99

considered it to be fair and Dust punish'ent hich 'ade hi' a illing acco'plice and accessory to 'urder in the first degreeA I1ve had a lot of fun sparring ith funda'entalists about 'y boo! and I recall in particular a debate ith a Baptist preacher in hich I too! the posiItion that the 'oral code of the Bible is cruel( unDust and inhu'aneA Then I as!ed hi' point blan!& AA ( C( 1 (M "fDapter7ineteen 53

A!erley& Reverend( if a o'an is ta!en in adultery today( should she be stoned to death according to the Biblical inDunctionP Baptist Preacher& 9after hesitating a fe 'o'ents: *ell( she should be punished according to the full extent of the la A A!erley& Reverend( once again( if a o'an is ta!en in adultery today( should she be executed according to the Biblical inDunctionP I ant a straight yes or no ans er( pleaseA Baptist Preacher& 9after hesitating even longer than before: *ell( I repeat( she should be punished according to the full extent of the la A ,e !ne ( of course( that I had hi' by the pastoral balls and he asn1t about to incri'inate hi'selfA Ah( the or!ings of the 'ystical 'ind never cease to a'a@e and confound 'eX "hrist1s o n vie of adultery as narro in the extre'e and he gave a co''and hich indicates that even to loo! on a o'an and to desire her is to be guilty of co''itting adultery in one1s heartA This co''and'ent 'a!es a distressingly large portion of the orld1s 'ale population into adulterersA =fttattfDett: 3&+6B+S +6Qe have heard that it as said by the' of old ti'e( Thou shalt not co''it adultery& +8but I say unto you( That hosoever loo!eth on a o'an to lust after her hath co'I'itted adultery ith her already in

100

his heartA Even 'any bornBagain "hristians ad'it that this decree constitutes a standard hich is virtually i'possible to obeyA And hy not indulge in realBlife sins of the flesh if their 'ere conte'plation eOuals the actual actP SlDe D5B3!teb 3)5fe &L

Part $5 Indecent Exposure( <roup Sex And Exhibitionis'

"fDaptcr t enty 72A, <ETS #R/7. A7# EXP2SES ,I)SE-4 58 "lDaptcr ITiocntyB2nr T,E ISRAE-ITES RECE- I7 A PA<A7 2R<Q 6$ "fDaptcr FbcntiDBF o .I7< #ACI# 4-AS,ES ,IS R2QA- PE7IS 60

"hapter +$ 7oah <ets #run! And Exposes ,i'self

a3eneSt` ;&68B+; I8And the sons of 7oah( that ent forth of the ar!( ere She'( and ,a'( and >apheth& and ,a' is the father of "anaanA GThese are the three sons of 7oah& and of the' as the hole earth overspreadA +$And 7oah began to be a husband'an( and he planted a vineyard& +Iand he dran! of the ine( and as drun!en? and he as uncovered ithin his tentA ++And ,a'( the father of "anaan( sa the na!edness of his father( and told his t o brethren ithoutA ++And She' and >apheth too! a gar'ent( and laid it upon both their shoulders( and ent bac! ard( and covered the na!edness of their father? and their faces ere bac! ard( and they sa not their father1s na!ednessA +0And 7oah a o!e fro' his ine( and !ne hat his younger son had done unto hi'A +3and

101

he said( "ursed be "anaan? a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethrenA +5And he said( Blessed be the -ord <od of She'? and "anaan shall be his serIvantA +(<od shall enlarge >apheth( and he shall d ell in the tents of She'? and "anaan shall be his servantA +8And 7oah lived after the flood three hundred and fifty yearsA +;And all the days of 7oah ere nine hundred and fifty years& and he diedA There is 'uch 'ore to this curious tale than 'eets the eyeA 4irst of all( 7oahs inebriation is 'ade to loo! li!e the inevitable result of his having planted a vineyardA This antiBhorticultural stance had already been posited earlier in the story of "ain and AbelA "ain as a far'er and Abel a shepherd and >ehovah su''arily reDected "ain1s offering of fruit fro' his orchard but readily accepted Abel1s offering of a slain la'b fro' his floc!( the outco'e of hich as "ain1s fratricide of AbelA The propensity to favor a no'adic econo'y over an agrarian one runs as a continuous the'e through all the ScripturesA The explanation is a si'ple one& surrounding Israel in the 4ertile "rescent ere other tribes that ere both agrarian and heathenA Since they ere all idolaters( they orshiped the pagan fertility gods so stringently forbidden by >ehovah( and agriculture therefore ca'e to represent the pursuit of strange gods and the orship of the fertility god BaalA >ehovah as deter'ined that Israel ould learn to esche these tribes( their gods and their econo'yA Secondly( the filial e'barrass'ent over their father 7oah lying na!ed in his o n tent reveals a people ho ere

102

prudish in the extre'e about nudity( a predictable result of Ada' and Eve1s being asha'ed of their o n na!edB 58 PGf:e ftB ilattb 33i5fe >N C ?G1 >CCAri( MlMBMF CCFrr L ness after the 4allA This prudery as so evident that She' and >apheth al!ed into 7oah1s tent carrying a robe to cover his na!ed body and as they did so( they al!ed bac! ards ith their heads facing the front portal so that they ould not accidentally see their fathers na!ed bodyA As seen through the no'adic eye( 7oah1s intoxication and peculiar behavior de'onstrated his loss of selfBcontrol and 'odesty( so'ething no good shepherd ould ever thin! of doingA Thirdly( there is a suggestion fro' 7oah1s overreaction to the predica'ent after sobering up that ,a' did 'ore than 'erely observe his father1s na!ednessA The Interpreter1s Bih! says of this excerpt& GIn the pri'ary( popular for' of the story there probably occurred hereHas sho n by the reference in verse +0 to hat his younger son had done to hi'Han account of an indecent attac!AG -astly( ,a' as guilty of observing his father1s na!edness( and putting aside the possible occurrence of sexual assault on the part of ,a'( this act as tanta'ount to Guncovering his father1s na!edness(G an act severely conde'ned in the ,ebre la ( for it as eOuated ith incestA Fetnttcus %8&5 MM6 57one of you shall approach to any that is near of !in to hi'( to uncover their na!edness& I a' the -ordA The na!edness of thy father( or the na!edness of thy 'other( shalt thou not uncover& she is thy 'other? thou shalt not uncover her na!ednessA ,a'1s act of filial indignity earned hi' 7oah1s un'itigated curse and all the descendants of ,a'1s son "anaan ere relegated to a position of perpetual servitude to the descendants of 7oah1s t o other sons( >apheth and She'A According to tradition( ,a' as blac! and this represented the beginning of the subDection of the 7egro

103

race( but this vie is no idely disputedA >ehovah see'ed to have 'ade a poor choice in singling out 7oah to survive the #eluge and to beco'e a paragon of 'oral rectitude for all future hu'an!ind( for although he lived to the ripe old age of ;3$ years( he as given to indulgence in strong drin! and to i''odesty( t o unforgivable traits for a good shepherdX "fDaptcx FT enty 5;

"hapter +% The Israelites Revel In A Pagan 2rgy

*,I-E T,E ,EBRE* TRIBES #*E-T I7 S,ITTI)( T,EQ REA#I-Q succu'bed to the allure'ent of the heathen "anaanites ho' they had conOueredA These pagans ho perfor'ed the sexual act in honor of their deity as a religious practice beca'e an irreIsistible entice'ent to the allBtooB illing Israelites and >ehovah1s rath as fiercely !indled over the holesale orgy ith BaalA ,e instructed )oses that the leaders responsible for the defiant debauchery ere to be slain and their bodies hung up in open display to discourage any further apostasyA FS1BFM3 1And Israel abode in Shitti'( and the people began to co''it horedo' ith the daughters of )oabA +And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods& and the people did eat( and bo ed do n to their godsA 3And Israel Doined hi'self unto Ba1alBpe1or& and the anger of the -ord as !indled against IsraelA 0And the -ord said unto )oses( Ta!e all the heads of the people( and hang the' up before the -ord against the sun( that the fierce anger of the -ord 'ay be turned a ay fro' IsraelA GAnd )oses said unto the Dudges of Israel( Slay ye every

104

one his 'en that ere Doined unto Ba1alBpe1orA 2ne of the bolder ,ebre s ho' tradition identifies as Zi'ri actually 'arried "o@bi( a )idianite o'anA So outraged as the priest Phinehas by this 'ixed 'arriage that he entered their bridal tent and i'paled both the bride and the groo' ith a Davelin driven right through their gutsA Phinehas1 ritual 'urder of Zi'ri and "o@bi 'ust have te'porarily appeased >ehovah1s vengeful spirit( for a plague( hich he had visited upon his follo ers as his favorite punish'ent( ended i''ediatelyA But not before +0($$$ of the rebellious Israelites had perishedA Flu'bers +3&5B; 5And( behold( one of the children of Israel ca'e and brought unto his brethren a )id1ianitish o'an in the sight of )oses( and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel( ho ere eeping before the door of the tabernacle of the congregationA And hen Phin1eBhas( the son of EleBa1@ar( the son of Aaron the priest( sa it( he rose up fro' a'ong the congregation( and too! a Davelin in his hand? 3and he ent after the 'an of Israel into the tent( and thrust both of the' through( the 'an of Israel( and the o'an through her bellyA So 6$ SfDeFB3[ateb 33t5fe the plague as stayed fro' the children of IsraelA ;And those that died in the plague ere t enty and four thousandA But >ehovah1s hard and vindictive heart as still not satisfied( for the death of +0($$$ Israelites see'ed only to

105

have hetted his bloodthirsty appetite to ard the real culprits for Israel1s apostasyHthe )idiariites 9see "hapter 0%:A >ehovah1s obDection to the Israelites Doining in any type of orgy as not really an obDection to the sexual indulgence as suchHit as the fact that the sexual practices of these heathen tribes ere part and parcel of their religion( and he anted Israel to avoid any contact ith these co'peting creedsA In particular( >ehovah obDected to the freOuent nudity hich acco'panied the pagan cere'oniesA ,e anted to be sure that his priests ere al ays properly attired and that no exposure of the genitals ould be possible as it as ith the pagan priestsA Since a short s!irt as the usual attire for a priest( he as instructed to approach the altar so that his genitals ould not be visIible fro' the steps of the sanctuaryA 9SFobuS +$&+5 7either shalt thou go up by steps unto 'ine altar( that thy na!edness be not discovered thereonA *hen the Israelites later orshiped in a tent here there ere no steps at the entrance( specific instructions ere given for the priests to properly cover the'selvesA "FobltS +8&0$B03 F1And for Aaron1s sons thou shalt 'a!e coats( and thou shalt 'a!e for the' girdles( and bonnets shalt thou 'a!e for the'( for glory and for beautyA 0iAnd thou shalt put the' upon Aaron thy brother( and his sons ith hi'? and shalt anoint the'( and consecrate the'( and sanctify the'( that they 'av 'inister unto 'e in the priest1s officeA 0+And thou shalt 'a!e the' linen breeches to cover their na!edness? fro' the loins even unto the thighs they shall reach& 0Gand they shall be upon Aaron( and upon his sons( hen they co'e in unto the tabernacle

106

of the congregation( or hen they co'e near unto the altar to 'inister in the holy place? that they bear not iniOuity( and die& it shall be a statute for ever unto hi' and his seed after hi'A *hile )oses as on )ount Sinai receiving the Ten "o''and'ents fro' >ehovah( the Israelites ere fornicating freely in the nude( and three thousand of the' paid ith their fives for this orgiastic indulgenceA BLBMBB1FFM "fDapter t entyB2ne 6% K$bllS 3+&+3B+; +3And h en )oses sa that the people ere na!ed( 9for Aaron had 'ade the' na!ed unto their sha'e a'ong their ene'ies(: +5then )oses stood in the gate of the ca'p( and said( *ho is on the -ord1s sideP let hi' co'e unto 'eA And all the sons of -evi gathered the'selves together unto hi'A +1And he said unto the'( Thus saith the -ord <od of Israel( Put every 'an his s ord by his side( and go in and out fro' gate to gate throughout the ca'p( and slay every 'an his brother( and every 'an his co'panion( and every 'an his neighborA +8And the children of -evi did according to the ord of )oses& and there fell of the people that day about three thousand 'enA +;4or )oses had said( "onsecrate yourselves today to the -ord( even every 'an upon his son( and upon his brother? that he 'ay besto upon you a blessing this dayA Qes( >ehovah as deter'ined that the Israelites ould not rub shoulders 9or other parts: ith the 'yriad heathen tribes of the 4ertile "rescent hose religion as purely phallicA *ith all of the freOuentlyBstated obDections to the

107

Israelites Doining their pagan neighbors in any type of religioBsexual orgy( it is no onder that >ehovah !illed +6($$$ of the' after their 'ass involveI'ent ith the )idianitesA These pagans also engaged in other sexual practices hich >ehovah had strictly forbidden to the ,ebre sA The fa'iliar story of EliDah co'peting ith the prophets of Baal to prove that the god of Israel as the only true god contains ele'ents of 'asochis'A #uring the cere'ony( hile aiting for fire fro' heaven to consu'e the ani'al sacrifice hich they had placed on the altar( the priests of Baal began to lacerate the'selves and to gush blood all over the altarA I `ing` %WBA+$B+; +$So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel( and gathered the prophets together unto 'ount "ar'elA +XAnd EliDah ca'e unto all the people( and said( ,o long halt ye bet een t o opinionsP if the -ord be <od( follo hi'? but if Ba1al( then follo hi'A And the people ans ered hi' not a ordA GThen said EliDah unto the people( I( even I only( re'ain a prophet of the -ord? but Ba1al1s prophets are four hundred and fifty 'enA +3-et the' therefore give us t o bulloc!s? and let the' choose one bulloc! for the'selves( and cut it in pieces( and lay it on ood( and put no fire under& and I ill dress the other bulloc!( and lay it on ood( and put no fire under& +0and call ye on the 6+ SfDe?SBFateb 33i5fe FBNP>FSTMM>M trS A >PS CA na'e of your gods( and I ill call on the na'e of the -ord& and the <od that ans ereth by fire( let hi' be <odA And

108

all the people ans ered and said( It is ell spo!enA +3And EliDah said unto the prophets of Ba1al( "hoose you one bulloc! for yourselves( and dress it first? for ye are 'any? and call on the na'e of your gods( but put no fire underA +5And they too! the bulloc! hich as given the'( and they dressed it( and called on the na'e of Ba1al fro' 'orning even until noon( saying( 2 Ba1al( hear usA But there as no voice( nor any that ans eredA And they leaped upon the altar hich as 'adeA GAnd it ca'e to pass at noon( that EliDah 'oc!ed the'( and said( "ry aloud& for he is a god? either he is tal!ing( or he is pursuing( or he is in a Dourney( or peradventure he sleepeth( and 'ust be a a!edA +8And they cried aloud( and cut the'selves after their 'anner ith !nives and lancets( till the blood gushed out upon the'A +;And it ca'e to pass( hen 'idday as past( and they prophesied until the ti'e of the offering of the evening sacrifice( that there as neither voice( nor any to ans er( nor any that regardedA It as absolutely forbidden to the Israelites to cut their flesh in any ay that ould cause the letting of bloodA They ere even enDoined never to tattoo the'selvesA >leCitX"/S %;&+8 Qe shall not 'a!e any cuttings in your flesh for the dead( nor print any 'ar!s upon youA I a' the -ordA #euterono'y %0&%B+ 1Qe are the children of the -ord your <od& ye shall not cut yourselves( nor 'a!e any baldness bet een your eyes for the deadA Tor thou art a holy people unto the -ord thy <od( and the -ord hath chosen thee to

109

be a peculiar people unto hi'self( above all the nations that are upon the earthA The above prohibitions ould explicitly rule out any type of 'asochistic or sadistic sexual behavior in IsraelA Such behavior as to be >ehovah1s exclusive prerogativeA ^([ AA F B[A 63

"fDopter T entyB2ne

"hapter ++ .ing #avid 4lashes ,is Royal Penis

/P27 SA/-1S #EAT,( #ACI# BE"A)E .I7< 2CER A-- ISRAE- A7# 'uch later on( he anted to bring bac! ho'e the Ar! of the "ovenant( the sacred( portable ooden box in hich >ehovah1s presence presu'ably d eltA ,e and his 'en set the ar! on a ne cart in order to transport it safelyA The drivers of the cart ere /@@ah and Ahio and as the cart ended its ho'e ard ay ith the ar! perched safely on it( the acco'panying procession sang and played 'usical instru'entsA n Sa'uef 5 d%M3 1Again( #avid gathered together all the chosen 'en of Israel( thirty thousandA +And #avid arose( and ent ith all the people that ere ith hi' fro' Baale of >udah( to bring up fro' thence the ar! of <od( hose na'e is called by the na'e of the -ord of hosts that d elleth bet een the cherubi'A 3And they set the ar! of <od upon a ne cart( and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that as in <ib1eBah& and /@@ah and Ahi1o( the sons of Abinadab( drave the ne cartA 0And they brought it out of the house of Abinadab hich as at <ib1eBah(

110

acco'panying the ar! of <od& and Ahi1o ent before the ar!A ^And #avid and all the house of Israel played before the -ord on all 'anner of instruB'ents 'ade of fir ood( even on harps( and on psalteries( and on ti'brels( and on cornets( and on cy'balsA *hen they arrived at the threshing floor of 7achon( /@@ah put his hand out to steady the ar! and to !eep it fro' falling fro' its perchA >ehovah as displeased ith his GerrorG and struc! hi' dead on the spot for having touched the ar!A #avid then beca'e angry ith >ehovah for having !illed /@@ah and na'ed the spot in /@@ah1s honorA II `a'ut9 5&5B8 5And hen thev ca'e to 7achon1s threshBingfloor( /@@ah put forth his hand to the ar! of <od( and too! hold of it? for the oxen shoo! itA And the anger of the -ord as !indled against /@@ah( and <od s'ote hi' there for his terror? and there he died by the ar! of <odA sAnd #avid as displeased( because the -ord had 'ade a breach upon /@@ah& and he called the na'e of the place Pe1Bre@B1u@1@ah to this davA Since at this point #avid as afraid to ta!e the ar! ho'e ith hi'( he left it at the ho'e of 2bededo' for three 'onthsA 60 STfDeFBFoteb Bi5fe II Sa'uelG 5&; M%% 1And #avid as afraid of the -ord that day( and said( ,o shall the ar! of the -ord co'e to 'eP %$So #avid ould not re'ove the ar! of the -ord unto hi' into the city of #avid? but #avid carried it aside into the house of 21bedBedo' the <ittiteA GAnd the ar! of the -ord continued in the house of 21bedBedo' the <ittite three

111

'onths& and the -ord blessed 21bedBedo'( and all his householdA *hen #avid reali@ed that >ehovah prospered and blessed 2bededo' for having the ar! at his ho'e( he decided to get it and to bring it ho'e ith hi'A 2n that festive occasion( #avid as earing a linen ephod( a very short gar'ent usually orn by priestsA The sacerdotal vest'ent as so scanty that hen priests approached the altar during religious cere'onies in the te'ple( they ere arned not to ascend the steps of the altar since it as never their practice to ear under ear and their privates ould not have been private for very longA So during the triu'phal entry into the city( #avid( clad only in his ephod( leaped and danced so ildly that )ichal( ho as atching fro' her indo ( despised hi' in her heart for his blatant exhibitionis'A ( II Sa'uef 5&%+B%5 i&And it as told !ing #avid( saying( the -ord hath blessed the house of 21bedBe1do'( and all that pertaineth unto hi'( because of the ar! of <odA So #avid ent and brought up the ar! of <od fro' the house of 21bedBe1do' into the city1 of #avid ith gladnessA %3And it as so( that hen thev that bare the ar! of the -ord had gone six paces( he sacriIficed oxen and fadingsA i0And #avid danced before the -ord ith all his 'ight? and #avid as girded ith a linen ephodA I^So #avid and all the house of Israel brought up the ar! of the -ord ith shouting( and ith the sound of the tru'petA GAnd as the ar! of the -ord ca'e into the city of #avid( )ichal Saul1s daughter loo!ed through a indo ( and sa !ing #avid leaping and dancing before the -ord? and she despised hi' in her heartA The ar! as then placed in the tabernacle ith appropriate peace offerings to >ehovahA #avid then blessed the

112

people and dis'issed the'A II Sa'uelG 5& %JB%; 1 And they brought in the ar! of the -ord( and set it in his place( in the 'idst of the tabernacle that #avid had pitched for it& and #avid offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the -ordA GAnd as soon as #avid had 'ade "fDapter 9S entyB9`Tgo 63 an end of offering burnt offerings and peace offerings( he blessed the people in the na'e of the -ord of hostsA I;And he dealt a'ong all the people( even a'ong the hole 'ultitude of Israel( as ell as to the o'en as 'en( to every one a ca!e of bread( and a good piece of flesh( and a flagon of ineA So all the people departed every one to his ho'eA As soon as he arrived ho'e( )ichal accused hi' of exposing hi'self li!e a co''on pervert or flasher( for as the 'aidens of the city lined the road of the royal procession that day( they ere treated to the sight of their 'onarch Ouite literally letting it all hang outA II Sct'uef 5& +$ Then #avid returned to bless his householdA And )ichal the daughter of Saul ca'e out to 'eet #avid( and said( ,o glorious as the !ing of Israel today( ho uncovered hi'self today in the eyes of the hand'aids of his servants( as one of the vain fello s sha'elessly uncovereth hi'selfX #avid responded angrily to )ichal by explaining that anything he did that afternoon as because of his Doy in

113

returning ho'e ith the ar!A See'ingly as a result of this altercation( )ichal re'ained childless all of her life either because #avid never had further sexual relations ith her or because of a sterility curse 'eted out by >ehovahA II Sct'uef 5& +% B+3 3IAnd #avid said unto )ichal( It as before the -ord( hich chose 'e before thy father( and before all his house( to appoint 'e ruler over the people of the -ord( over Israel& therefore ill I play before the -ordA ++And I ill yet be 'ore vile than thus( and ill be base in 'ine o n sight& and of the 'aidservants hich thou hast spo!en of( of the' shall I be had in honorA FTherefore )ichal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her deathA )ichal as later ta!en fro' #avid and given to another husband( Phaltiel( because #avid had defected fro' the first !ing of IsraelA *hen he beca'e !ing of a united Israel( he stipulated that )ichal ould have to be ta!en fro' Phaltiel and returned to hi' once againA The distraught second husband follo ed )ichal eeping( but to no avail( for she as no to be #avids exclusive propertyA 65 PTfDeF5BFateb 33i5fe & (M( F II Sa'uef3&%3B%5 GAnd he said( *ell? I ill 'a!e a league ith thee& but one thing I reOuire of thee( that is( Thou shalt not see 'y face( except thou first bring )ichal Saul1s daughter( hen thou co'est to see 'y faceA GAnd #avid sent 'essengers to IshBbosheth Sauls son( saying( #eliver

114

'e 'y ife )ichal( hich I espoused to 'e for an hundred fores!ins of the PhilistinesA GAnd IshBbo1sheth sent( and too!( her fro' her husband( even fro' Phaltiel the son of -a1BishA I5And her husband ent ith her along eeping behind her to BaBhu1Bri'A Then said Abner( unto hi'( <o( returnA And he returnedA h FirFrAF?FBA FrABMF1FFr "fDapterjgentyB1Prrix\ 66

Part $6 7/#ITQ A7# STRIPTEASE

"hapter t entyBFIDree PR2P,ESQI7< I7 T,E 7/#E 6; "hapter t entyBcour SA-2)E STRIPS 42R .I7< ,ER2# S2 egg

"hapter +3 Prophesying In The 7ude

%3a'uef %;&+$B+0 +$And Saul sent 'essengers to ta!e #avid& and hen they sa the co'pany of the prophets prophesying( and Sa'uel standing as appointed over the'( the Spirit of <od as upon the 'essengers of Saul( and they also prophesiedA +IAnd hen it as told Saul( he sent other 'essengers( and they prophesied li!e iseA And Saul sent 'essengers again the third ti'e( and they

115

prophesied alsoA GThen ent he also to Ra'ah( and ca'e to a great ell that is in Sechir and he as!ed and said( *here are Sa'uel and #avidP And one said( Behold( they be at 7ai1oth in Ra'ahA aAnd he ent thither to 7ai1oth in Ra'ah& and the Spirit of <od as upon hi' also( and he ent on( and prophesied( until he ca'e to 7ai1oth in Ra'ahA +0And he stripped off his clothes also( and prophesied before Sa'uel in li!e 'anner( and lay do n na!ed all that day and all that nightA *herefore they say( Is Saul also a'ong the prophetsP #espite the sha'e felt by Ada' and Eve over their o n na!edness in Eden and the do'estic tribulation caused by 7oah1s drun!en bout of exposing hi'self( Saul shared none of their hu'iliation( e'barrass'ent or re'orseA *ith respect to the itnesses of this display of nudity( they only see'ed shoc!ed to learn that Saul had prophesied for the first ti'e and should no be counted a'ong Israel1s prophetsA Although Saul acted on his o n( Isaiah as given a direct inDunction by lehovah to prophesy in the nude( and this as to continue for a period of three yearsA rfcctidD +$&iB3 &Inthe year that Tartan ca'e unto Ashdod( 9 hen Sargon the !ing of Assyria sent hi'(: and fought against Ashdod( and too! it? +at the sa'e ti'e spa!e the -ord by Isaiah the son of A'o@( saying( <o and loose the sac!cloth fro' off thy loins( and put off thy shoe fro' thy foot And he did so( al!ing na!ed and barefootA 3And the -ord said( -i!e as 'y servant Isaiah hath al!ed na!ed and bareIfoot three years for a sign and onder upon Egypt and upon Ethiopia? kSo shall the !ing of Assyria lead a ay the Egyptians prisoners( and the Ethiopians captives( young and old( na!ed and barefoot( even ith their buttoc!s uncovered( to the sha'e of EgyptA 3And they shall be afraid and asha'ed of Ethiopia their expectation( and of Egypt their gloryA

116

Isaiahs influence as felt a'ong the 'inor prophets and the ords of )icah indicate that he ould i'itate Isaiah1s actions as an adDunct to his prophesyingA rF&SFM FFFfTF?FrFS>F6FNAMF "fDapter t entyB1S1fDree 6;

Therefore I ill ail and ho l( I ill go stripped and na!ed& I ill 'a!e a ailing li!e the dragons( and 'ourning as the o lsA >ehovah see'ingly as not affronted by na!edness if it related to prophesyingA Qet he as deter'ined to i'bue his follo ers ith a sense of sha'e over nudity associated ith sex( especially because of its direct lin! ith heathen sex orshipA

"hapter +0

Salo'e Strips 4or .ing ,erod

T,A7.S T2 2S"AR *I-#E1S #RA)ATIZATI27 24 T,E SA-2)E legend( the #ance of the Seven Ceils has beco'e history1s 'ost fa'ous stripteaseA The Biblical account reveals that .ing ,erod i'prisoned >ohn the Baptist to pacify his ife ,erodias ho as infuriated because >ohn had denounced her 'arriage to ,erod since she had for'erly been 'arried to ,erod1s brother PhilipA A daughter( Salo'e( had resulted fro' her previous 'arriageA ,erod( nonetheless( respected >ohn as a holy 'an and instead of executing hi' as ,erodias ished hi' to do( he 'erely had hi' thro n into prisonA FRatft 5&%6B+$ XTor ,erod hi'self had sent forth and laid hold upon >ohn( and bound hi' in prison for ,ero1diBas1

117

sa!e( his brother Philip1s ife& for he had 'arried herA IS4or >ohn had said unto ,erod( It is not la ful for thee to have thy brother1s ifeA GTherefore ,ero1diBas had a Ouarrel against hi'( and ould have !illed hi'? but she could not& +$for ,erod feared >ohn( !no ing that he as a Dust 'an and a holy( and observed hi'? and hen he heard hi'( he did 'any things( and heard hi' gladlyA 4inally( an opportunity presented itself for ,erodias to put her diabolical plan against >ohn into effectA Salo'e as as!ed to dance at ,erod1s birthday party feast and ,erod as so pleased ith his lovely stepdaughter1s perforI'ance that he offered to grant her any ish that she 'ight 'a!eA +ftarfa 5 X+%H+3 +%And hen a convenient day as co'e( that ,erod on his birthday 'ade a supper to his lords( high captains( and chief estates of <alilee? Gand hen the daughter of the said ,ero1dias ca'e in( and danced( and pleased ,erod and the' that sat ith hi'( the !ing said unto the da'sel( As! of 'e hatsoever thou ilt( and 8$ ZfDtfiBilateb 3)5fe ( I ill give it theeA GAnd he s are unto her( *hatsoever thou shalt as! of 'e( I ill give it thee( unto the half of 'y !ingdo'A Before as!ing ,erod for any favors( Salo'e consulted ith her 'other ho i''ediately told Salo'e to as! for the head of >ohn the BaptistA Salo'e consented( and ,erod as sorry for having 'ade such an extravagant offer of any ish that Salo'e antedA

118

=fltarit 5&+0B+5 +0And she ent forth( and said unto her 'other( *hat shall I as!P And she said( The head of >ohn the BaptistA +3And she ca'e in straight ay ith haste unto the !ing( and as!ed( saying( I ill that thou give 'e by and by in a charger the head of >ohn the BaptistA +5And the !ing as exceeding sorry? yet for his oath1s sa!e( and for their sa!es hich sat ith hi'( he ould not reDect herA ,erod sent an executioner to the prison and had >ohn beheadedA ,is head as brought to the !ing on a platterA *hen the head as presented to Salo'e( she in turn presented it to ,erodiasA >ohn1s disciples then too! his decapitated body and buried itA 'ar! 5 1AZ>M+; G And i''ediately the !ing sent an execuItioner( and co''anded his head to be brought& and he ent and beheaded hi' in the prison( +Sand brought his head in a charger( and gave it to the da'sel& and the da'sel gave it to her 'otherA 1And hen his disciples heard of it( they ca'e and too! up his corpse( and laid it in a to'bA It is hard to tell ho is the 'ore sadistic and depraved of the t oH ,erodias for anting >ohn decapitated or Salo'e for agreeing to carry out her 'other1s ordersA At anv rate( Salo'e1s dance before ,erod 'ust have been sufficiently erotic to arouse the !ing to a point of ishing to please Salo'e for possible future sexual favorsA All in all( the lustful ,erod( the bloodthirsty ,erodias and the conniving Salo'e for' one of the Bible1s 'ost unsee'ly triosA And the additional horrifying scene of >ohn1s headless corpse being re'oved fro' the prison and being carried to a to'b for burial by his disciples adds a final grueso'e touch to an alreadv ghastly and sordid taleA

119

$ 6JFBA 6FT6 JFFT66Jr6rFJ60Fy6iF "fDapter t entyB>our

8%

Part $8 Prostitution 9Secular And Sacred: And Phallic *orship

"fDapta t entyB`ioe >/#A, PATR27IZES A #IS</ISE# ,22.ER 83 "fDapta StixntyB`F RA,AB( T,E 4AC2RE# )A#A) 24 >ERI",2 SS "hapter FvotntyBSo.n >E,2CA, "2))A7#S ,2SEA T2 )ARRQ A *,2RE ;3 "iDapter F atFyB"uDfDt ",RIST "27CERSES *IT, T*2 *2)E7 24 III REP/TE ;3 "iDapter FaxntyB=ft'e E-I1S ,2R7Q S27S %$$ "fDapter1FTDirtiD ,/7< -I.E A >A".ASS %$3

"hapter +3 >udah Patroni@es A #isguised ,oo!er

A4TER 27A71s #EAT, 9SEE ",APTER 3:( >/#A, SE7T TA)AR bac! to her fa'ily pro'ising that hen his youngest son Shelah as old enough( he ould allo hi' to 'arry herA >udah probIably had no intention of doing this( for both of his older sons had already died at >ehovah1s hand and at this point in ti'e( Ta'ar 'ust have represented a curse to hi'A 7ot anting to Deopardi@e the life of his only re'aining son( therefore( he decided to send Ta'ar

120

a ay fro' his ho'eA "3"Tt"StS >yo1AI Then said >udah to Ta'ar his daughterBinBla ( Re'ain a ido at thy fathers house( till Shelah 'y son be gro n& for he said( -est peradventure he die also( as his brethren didA And Ta'ar ent and d elt in her father1s houseA Ta'ar probably sensed that >udah1s pro'ise of 'arriage to Shelah as spurious( and not anting to re'ain forever barren( she decided to get her revenge on hi' by disguising herself as a harlot and offering herself to hi' as a desperate 'eans of getting pregnantA ,er opportunity ca'e shordy after the death of >udah1s ife hen >udah 'ade a Dourney through Ti'nathA a3enesis 38&%+B%0 I+And in process of ti'e the daughter of Shu1ah >udah1s ife died? and >udah as co'forted( and ent up unto his sheepshearers to Ti'nath( he and his friend ,irah the Adul1la'iteA GAnd it as told Ta'ar( saying( Behold( thy fatherBinBla goeth up to Ti'nath to shear his sheepA I0And she put her ido 1s gar'ents off fro' her( and covered her ith a veil( and rapped herself( and sat in an open place( hich is by the ay to Ti'nath? for she sa that Shelah as gro n( and she as not given unto hi' to ifeA >udah 'istoo! Ta'ar for a hoo!er and propositioned her as soon as he sa herA Ta'ar i''ediately as!ed hat her pay as to be and >udah offered her a young goatA As a security pledge for Ta'ar to hold until the arrival of the

121

young goat( he gave her his ring( bracelets and staffA Then they fornicatedA "onvinced that she ould no conceive( Ta'ar ent a ay and re'oved her harlot1s disguise and once again donned her gar'ents of ido hoodA 5enesis 38&%3B%; (3 hen Dudah sa her( he thought her to be a harlot? because she had covered her faceA I5And he turned unto SDFSFPB DFSFo" "fDapter 93igcntyB> e 83

*I-T T.i her by the ay( and said( <o to( I pray thee( let 'e co'e in unto thee? 9for he !ne not that she as his daughterBinBla A: and she said( *hat ilt thou give 'e( that thou 'ayest co'e in unto 'eP I6And he said( I ill send thee a !id fro' the floc!A And she said( *ilt thou give 'e a pledge( till thou send itP %8And he said( *hat pledge shall I give theeP And she said( Thy signet( and thy bracelets( and thy staff that is in thine handA And he gave it her( and ca'e in unto her( and she conceived by hi'A I;And she arose( and ent a ay( and laid by her veil fro' her( and put on the gar'ents of her ido hoodA >udah sent his friend ,irah the Adulla'ite to search for the harlot and to give her the young goat hich he had pro'isedA ,irah as unable to find the prostitute to give her the goat or to recover >udah1s ring( bracelets and

122

staffA /pon hearing the ne s( >udah decided that it ould be better to let the hore have his things than it ould be to cause any e'barrass'entA 9#enests 38&+$B+3 +$And Dudah sent the !id by the hand of his friend the Adul1la'ite( to receive his pledge fro' the o'an1s hand& but he found her notA +IThen he as!ed the 'en of that place( saying( *here is the harlot( that as openly by the aysideP And they said( There as no harlot in this placeA ++And he returned to >udah( and said( I cannot find her? and also the 'en of the place said( that there as no harlot in this placeA +3And >udah said( -et her ta!e it to her( lest e be sha'ed& behold( I sent this !id( and thou hast not found herA Three 'onths later( >udah discovered that his daughterBinBla Ta'ar as pregnant( and since he believed that she had been guilty of pro'iscuous and 80 FeFBFoteb 3t5fc illicit sexual relations( he decreed that she should be burned to death( the severest penalty ever exacted for fornication under the ,ebre la A 5enest` 38&+0 And it ca'e to pass about three 'onths after( that it as told >udah( saying( Ta'ar thy daughterBinBla hath played the harlot? and also( behold( she is ith child by horedo'A And >udah said( Bring her forth( and let her be burntA *hen Ta'ar as brought before >udah( she declared that the 'an by ho' she as pregnant as the 'an to

123

ho' belonged the ring( bracelets and the staff hich she then producedA >udah recogni@ed that Ta'ar as 'ore honest than he because he had not honored his pro'ise to her to send his youngest son Shelah to 'arry her( and he forgave her( but never again got it on ith herA "enesis 38&+3B+5 +3 hen she as brought forth she sent to her fatherBinBla ( saying( By the 'an( hose these are( a' I ith child& and she said( #iscern( I pray thee( hose are these( the signet( and bracelets( and staffA +5And >udah ac!no ledged the'( and said( She hath been 'ore righteous than I? because that I gave her not to Shelah 'y sonA And he !ne her again no 'oreA Ta'ar finally gave birth to t in boys( Phare@ and ZarahA A scarlet thread as tied to the hand of the t in hose hand first appeared in childbirth( but as the hand ithdre bac! into Ta'ar s o'b( the 'id ife then declared that the child ho ca'e out first as in reality not the firstborn( for the son hose hand had the scarlet thread on it as technically the firstbornA Thus it as decided that Zarah as literally the firstborn and Phare@ the second bornA "enesis 38&+6B3$ +rAnd it ca'e to pass in the ti'e of her travail( that( behold( t ins ere in her o'bA +8And it ca'e to pass( hen she travailed( that the one put out his hand& and the 'id ife too! and bound upon his hand a scarlet thread( saying( This ca'e out firstA +;And it ca'e to pass( as he dre bac! his hand( that( behold( his brother ca'e out& and she said( ,o hast thou bro!en forthP this

124

breach be upon thee& therefore his na'e as called Phare@A 3$And after ard ca'e out his brother( that had the scarlet thread upon his hand& and his na'e as called ZarahA SiiSiSSS3igSi.gFS "fDapterS ertyBStoe 83 The distinction as an i'portant one since the firstborn ould be entitled to a double share of the fathers inheritanceA 7eedless to say( daughters did not count in this arrange'entA The story of >udah and the disguised harlot reveals that there as little or no preDudice in Israel against purely secular prostitutionA This see's to be the case throughout the 2ld Testa'ent and it is not until e arrive at the 'onoB'aniacal diatribes of Paul against sex in general that e have a really strong Biblical pronounce'ent against prostitutionA The strongest 2ld Testa'ent ad'onition is that contained in ProverbsA It reads li!e the arnings fathers have given their sons throughout the ages in every generationA The careful reader ill reali@e that the last verse hich spea!s of the ay of the prostitute being the ay to hell is( in reality( not so 'uch an ad'onition against sexual per'issiveness as it is a arning for the young not to sOuander their being and their possessions on trivial pursuitsA Bprot\er5s 6&%B+6 >)y son( !eep 'y ords( and lay up 'y co''and'ents ith theeA +.eep 'y co''and'ents( and live? and 'y la as the apple of thine eyeA ?1Bind the' upon thy fingers( rite the' upon the table of thine heartA 0Say unto isdo'( Thou art 'y sister? and call

125

understanding thy !ins o'an& 3that they 'ay !eep thee fro' the strange o'an( fro' the stranger hich flattereth ith her ordsA Tor at the indo of 'y house I loo!ed through 'y case'ent( and beheld a'ong the si'ple ones( I disIcerned a'ong the youths( a young 'an void of understanding( spassing through the street near her corner? and he ent the ay to her house( ;in the t ilight( in the evening( in the blac! and dar! nightA I$And( behold( there 'et hi' a o'an ith the attire of a harlot( and subtile of heartA G9She is loud and stubborn? her feet abide not in her house& I+no is she ithout( no in the streets( and lieth in ait at every cornerA: GSo she caught hi'( and !issed hi'( and ith an i'pudent face said unto hi'( GI have peace offering ith 'e? this day have I paid 'y vo sA GTherefore ca'e I forth to 'eet thee( diligently to see! thy face( and I have found theeA I5I have dec!ed 'y bed ith coverings of tapestry( ith carved or!s( ith fine linen of EgyptA %% have perfu'ed 'y bed ith 'yrrh( aloes( and cinna'onA IS"o'e( let us ta!e our fill of love until the 'orning& let us solace ourselves ith lovesA G4or the good'an is not at ho'e( he is gone a long Dourney& +$he hath ta!en a bag of 'oney ith hi'( and ill co'e ho'e at the day appointedA +I*ith her 'uch fair speech she caused hi' to yield( ith the 85 F9DeF"BFateb 33i5ft flattering of her lips she forced hi'A G,e goeth after her straight ay( as an ox goeth to the slaughter( or as a fool to

126

the correction of the stoc!s& BG1till a dart stri!e through his liver? as a bird hasteth to the snare( and !no eth not that it is for his lifeA +0,ear!en unto 'e no therefore( 2 ye children( and attend to the ords of 'y 'outhA &1-et not thine heart decline to her ays( go not astray in her pathsA +o4or she hath cast do n 'any ounded& yea( 'any strong 'en have been slain by herA + ,er house is the ay to hell( going do n to the cha'bers of deathA These additional caveats against hores are to be found in the Scriptures of the 2ld Testa'ent& DScX:iti"/S %;&+;B3$ +;#o not prostitute thy daughter( to cause her to be a hore& lest the land fall to horedo'( and the land beco'e full of ic!ednessA 1iQe shall !eep 'y sabbaths( and reverence 'v sanctuary& I a' the -ordA Frot\er5s 3&%B%0 X)y son( attend unto 'y isdo'( and bo thine ear to 'v understanding? +that thou 'ayest regard discretion( and that thy lips 'ay !eep !no ledgeA 14or the lips of a strange o'an drop as a honeyco'b( and her 'outh is s'oother than oil& 0but her end is bitter as or' ood( sharp as a t oBedged s ordA 1,er feet go do n to death? her steps ta!e hold on hellA 5-est thou shouldest ponder the path of life( her ays are 'ovable( that thou canst not !no the'A ,ear 'e no therefore( 2 ye children( and depart not fro' the ords of 'y 'outhA 8Re'ove thy ay far fro' her( and co'e not nigh the door of her house& ;lest thou give thine honor unto others( and thy years unto the cruel& %$lest strangers be filled ith thy ealth? and thy labors be in the house of a stranger? Gand thou 'ourn at the last( hen thy flesh and thy body are consu'ed( i&and say( ,o have I hated instruction( and 'y heart despised reproof? G1and have not obeyed

127

the voice of 'y teachers( nor inclined 'ine ear to the' that instructed 'eX I0I as al'ost in all evil in the 'idst of the congregation and asse'blyA F:rot\er5s 5&+3B+5 B14or the co''and'ent is a la'p? and the la is light? and reproofs of instruction are the ay of life& +0to !eep thee fro' the evil o'an( fro' the flattery of the tongue of a strange o'anA B1-ust not after her beauty in thine heart? neither FFFFFFFFFf)iF1fFiiF)iFS "fDapter93igentyB3 e 86 let her ta!e thee ith her eyelidsA +54or by 'eans of a horish o'an a 'an is brought to a piece of bread& and the adulteress ill hunt for the precious lifeA F:rot\er5s +3&+6B+8 +64or a hore is a deep ditch? and a strange o'an is a narro pitA +SShe also lieth in ait as for a prey( and increaseth the transgressors a'ong 'enA oso loveth isdo' reDoiceth his father& but he that !eepeth co'pany ith harlots spendeth his substanceA

"hapter +5 RA,AB( T,E 4AC2RE# )A#A) 24 >ERI",2

G>oshua fit the battle of >ericho( >ericho( >ericho( >oshua fit the battle of >ericho( and the alls ca'e tu'blin1 do nAG The lyrics of this popular AfricanBA'erican spiritual 'e'oriali@e the Bible1s 'ost reno ned battleA But before >oshua launched his ca'paign against the doo'ed city( he sent t o spies on a reconnaissance 'ission and they stayed in a brothel run by a 'ada' na'ed RahabA 3$Sf:/"t +, And >oshua the son of 7un sent out of Shitti' t o 'en to spy secretly( saying( <o vie the land( even

128

>erichoA And thev ent( and[ ca'e into a harlot1s house( na'ed Rahab( and lodged thereA The a'a@ing part of this story is that Rahab as able to find the ti'e to hide the t o secret agents in her horehouseA The ad'inistration of a catBhouse is a verv ti'eBconsu'ing occupation and li!e all sex entrepreneurs( Rahab surely 'ust have follo ed the four cardinal rules for turning the 'ost tric!s and for 'a!ing 'oney on sheer volu'eA These four rules are& 9I: get e' in? 9+: get e' up? 93: get e' off? 90: get e' outA Since they spent the entire night there( they 'ost certainly 'ust have done hat anv redBblooded heterosexual Israelite ould have done in their shoes so that on their espionage assign'ent( they probably got 'ore than Dust the lay of the landA The !ing of >ericho heard ru'ors that there ere t o spies at Rahab1s bordello( and he sent for the 'enA Rahab hid the spies on her roof and confessed to the !ing1s envoys that the spies had been there( but she told the' 88 `iDeFB+.ttteW Vt5fe [S

that they had already goneA The envoys pursued the spies as far as >ordan and the city gate as i''ediately shut behind the' in case they ere still at large in >erichoA =2SI>/"I Z1AZM> +And it as told the !ing of >ericho( saying( Behold( there ca'e 'en in hither tonight of the children of Israel to search out the countryA 3And the !ing of >ericho sent unto Rahab( saying( Bring forth the 'en

129

that are co'e to thee( hich are entered into thine house& for they be co'e to search out all the countryA 0And the o'an too! the t o 'en( and hid the'( and said thus( There ca'e 'en unto 'e( but I ist not hence they ere& 3and it ca'e to pass about the ti'e of shutting of the gate( hen it as dar!( that the 'en ent out? hither the 'en ent( I ot not& pursue after the' Ouic!ly? for ye shall overta!e the'A 5But she had brought the' up to the roof of the house( and hid the' ith the stal!s of flax( hich she had laid in order upon the roofA And the 'en pursued after the' the ay to >ordan unto the fords& and as soon as they hich pursued after the' ere gone out( they shut the gateA Rahab next ent to the spies and told the' that she !ne >ehovah as proItecting the' and that her land ould soon be conOuered by IsraelA =2SI>/"I +1AWH%% 8And before they ere laid do n( she ca'e up unto the' upon the roof? ;and she said unto the 'en( I !no that the -ord hath given you the land( and that your terror is fallen upon us( and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of youA I$4or e have heard ho the -ord dried up the ater of the Red sea for you( hen ye ca'e out of Egypt? and hat ye did unto the t o !ings of the A'orites( that ere on the other side >ordan( Sihon and 2g( ho' ye utterly destroyedA GAnd as soon as e had heard these things( our hearts did 'elt( neither did there re'ain any 'ore courage in any 'an( because of you& for the -ord your <od( he is <od in heaven above( and

130

in earth beneathA In return for her favor of hiding and protecting the'( she as!ed that she and her fa'ily be spared hen Israel ca'e to conOuer >erichoA The spies agreed to honor Rahab s reOuest( 3osfDua +&%+B%0 I+7 o therefore( I pray you( s ear unto 'e by the -ord( since I have sho ed you !indness( that ye ill also

"hapter T entyBSip

8;

sho !indness unto 'y fathers house( and give 'e a true to!en& 11and that ye ill save alive 'y father( and 'y 'other( and 'y brethren( and 'y sisters( and all that they have( and deliver our lives fro' deathA GAnd the 'en ans ered her( 2ur life for yours( if ye utter not this our businessA And it shall be( hen the -ord hath given us the land( that e ill deal !indly and truly ith theeA She then let the' do n fro' her roof ith a rope( and since her house as located on top of the to n all( the spies easily escaped fro' the cityA She also arned the' to hide in the 'ountains outside the city for at least three days so that the !ing1s envoys ho ere still pursuing the' ould not find the'A >2SfD/fl +I%3B%5 %3Then she let the' do n by a cord through the indo & for her house as upon the to n all( and she d elt upon the allA I5And she said unto the'( <et you to the 'ountain( lest the pursuers 'eet you& and

131

hide yourselves there three days( until the pursuers be returned& and after ard 'ay ye go your ayA The Israelite spies pro'ised Rahab that both she and her fa'ily ould be safe during the attac!( but that they 'ust re'ain inside the brothel and that the scarlet rope hich they ere going to use to escape should stay outside the indo as an identifying sign for the attac!ing Israelite arriorsA They also s ore Rahab to secrecyA 3$`fU/a +&%6B+$ &&And the 'en said unto her( *e ill be bla'eless of this thine oath hich thou hast 'ade us s earA %>Behold( hen e co'e into the land( thou shalt bind this line of scarlet thread in the indo hich thou

didst let us do n by& and thou shalt bring thy father( and thy 'other( and thy brethren( and all thy father1s household( ho'e unto theeA I;And it shall be( that hosoever shall go out of the doors of thy house into the street( his blood shall be upon his head( and e ill be guiltless& and hosoever shall be ith thee in the house( his blood shall be on our head( if any hand be upon hi'A &oAnd if thou utter this our business( then e ill be Ouit of thine oath hich thou hast 'ade us to s earA Rahab agreed to abide by their ter's and as soon as they departed( she fastened the scarlet cord to her indo A ;$ StDeFB+[ateS\ Bi5fe F M F>CBT MG* F JCAF GG v ( 1(+% And she said( According unto your ord( so be itA And she sent the' a ay( and they departed& and she bound the scarlet line in the indo A The spies spent three days in the 'ountains( later returning to >oshua and relating everything hich had happened in >ericho to their leaderA

132

>2SfD/"t +&++B+0 ++Andthey ent( and ca'e unto the 'ounItain( and abode there three days( until the pursuers ere returned& and the pursuers sought the' throughout all the ay( but found the' not( GSo the t o 'en returned( and descended fro' the 'ountain( and passed over( and ca'e to >oshua the son of 7un( and told hi' all things that befell the'& +0and they said unto >oshua( Truly the -ord hath delivered into our hands all the land? for even all the inhabitants of the country do faint because of usA >oshua did 'a!e good his pro'ise and hen the ar'y arrived in >ericho( they had instructions to destroy the city except for Rahab and her houseA =2Si>t.t 5&%L3H+% %^And it ca'e to pass on the seventh day( that they rose early about the da ning of the day( and co'passed the city after the sa'e 'anner seven ti'es& only on that day they co'passed the city seven ti'esA I5And it ca'e to pass at the sevIenth ti'e( hen the priests ble ith the tru'pets( >oshua said unto the people(

Shout? for the -ord hath given you the cityA 1And the city shall be accursed( even it( and all that are therein( to the -ord& only Rahab the harlot shall live( she and all that are ith her in the house( because she hid the 'essengers that e sentA I8And ye( in any ise !eep yourselves fro' the accursed thing( lest ye 'a!e yourselves accursed( hen ye ta!e of the accursed thing( and 'a!e the ca'p of Israel a curse( and trouble itA I;But all the silver( and gold( and vessels of brass and iron( are consecrated unto the -ord& they shall co'e into the treasury of the -ordA

133

+$So the people shouted hen the priests ble

ith the tru'pets& and it ca'e to pass( hen the people heard the

sound of the tru'pet( and the people shouted ith a great shout( that the all fell do n flat( so that the people ent up into the city( every 'an straight before hi'( and they too! the cityA +IAnd they utterly destroyed all that as in the city( both 'an and o'an( young and old( and ox( and sheep( and ass( ith the edge of the s ordA SS^mIFSS*3*S3SF3SASWF "hapter c3igentyBASiS ;% 7ot only did >oshua spare Rahab and all her household( but they ere also allo ed to continue living in Israel for her heroic act of assisting the t o spiesA The inOuisitive reader cannot help ondering hether or not Rahab continued to ply her trade a'ong the IsraelitesA =2SI>I* 51A++H+3 GBut >oshua had said unto the t o 'en that had spied out the country( <o into the harlot1s house( and bring out thence the o'an( and all that she hath( as ye s are unto herA +3And the young 'en that ere spies ent in( and brought out Rahab( and her father( and her 'other( and her brethren( and all that she had? and they brought out all her !indred( and left the' ithout the ca'p of IsraelA +0And they burnt the city ith fire( and all that as therein& only the silver( and the gold( and the vessels of brass and of iron( they put into the treasury of the house of the -ordA +?\And >oshua saved Rahab the harlot alive( and her fathers household( and all that she had? and she d elleth in Israel even unto this day( because she hid the 'essengers( hich >oshua sent to

134

spy out >erichoA In the 7e Testa'ent( both Paul and >a'es extol Rahab for her couraIgeous help to IsraelA %)F:$M3% 3$By faith the alls of >ericho fell do n( after they ere co'passed about seven daysA 3IBy faith the harlot Rahab perished not ith the' that believed not( hen she had received the spies ith peaceA 3a'es +&+0B+5 +% Qe see then ho that by or!s a 'an is DusBtified( and not by faith onlyA F-i!e ise also as not Rahab the harlot Dustified by or!s( hen she had received the 'essengers( and had sent the' out another ayP +54or as the body ithout the spirit is dead( so faith ithout or!s is dead alsoA These 7e Testa'ent enco'iu's praising the cooperative prostitute a arded her the Biblical eOuivalent of a posthu'ous 'edal of honorA ;+ SlDeFBatoteb B5fe

"hapter +6 >ehovah "o''ands ,osea To )arry A *hore

T,ERE IS STI-- A72T,ER 2-# TESTA)E7T A""2/7T 2CER hich Bible scholars have pu@@led and ended up about eOually divided as to hether it is( in fact( a genuine historical descripItion or pure allegory once again e'ploying the 'etaphor of Israel being nothing but a co''on horeA >ehovah gave ,osea a direct co''and to 'arry the prostitute <o'erA n2S"d %[%H3 1The ord of the -ord that ca'e unto ,ose1a( the son of BeBe1ri( in the days of /@@i1ah( >otha'( Aha@( and ,e@e!i1ah( !ings of >udah( and in the days of >erobo1a' the son of >o1ash( !ing of IsraelA The beginning of the ord of the -ord by ,ose1aA And the -ord said to ,ose1a( <o( ta!e unto thee a ife of horedo's and children of

135

horedo's& for the land hath co''itted great horedo'( departing fro' the -ordA 3So he ent and too! <o'er the daughter of #ibla1i'? hich conceived( and bare hi' a sonA Although <o'er bore ,osea three children( she as patently unable to 'a!e a co'plete brea! ith her past and continued to ply her trade and thus to co''it adulteryA I>2S"W +X%HL3 1Say ye unto your brethren( A'rni( and to your sisters( Ruha1'ahA &Plead ith your 'other( plead? for she is not 'y ife( neither a' I her husband& let her therefore put a ay her horedo's out of her sight( and her adulteries fro' bet een her breasts? dest I strip her na!ed( and set her as in the day that she as born( and 'a!e her as a ilderness( and set her li!e a dry land( and slay her ith thirstA 0And I ill not have 'ercy upon her chilIdren? for they be the children of horedo'sA GTor their 'other hath played the harlot& she that conceived the' hath done sha'efully? for she said( I ill go after 'y lovers( that give 'e 'y bread and 'v ater( 'v ool and 'y flax( 'ine oil and 'y drin!A ,e then 'oved ith <o'er into the ilderness hoping that by isolating her fro' all te'ptation( she ould be able to re'ain faithful to hi' and he could have her all to hi'selfA "hapter T entyBSeven ;3 fDosect +&%0B%3 GTherefore( behold( I ill allure her( and bring her into the ilderness( and spea! co'fortably unto herA I&(And I ill give her her vineyards fro' thence( and the valley of Achor for a door of hope& and she shall sing

136

there( as in the days of her youth( and as in the day hen she ca'e up out of the land of Egypt 4inally( in utter despair over <o'er1s unfaithfulness( he sold her into slaveryA But the prophet soon beca'e a are that he hi'self as a slave to his love for her and repenting( he ranso'ed her and bought her bac! fro' her captors for fifteen pieces of silverA fe2Sea 3,B3 Then said the -ord unto 'e( <o yet( love a o'an beloved of her friend( yet an adulteress( according to the love of the -ord to ard the children of Israel( ho loo! to other gods( and love flagons of ineA +So I bought her to 'e for fifteen L pieces of silver( and for a ho'er of barley( and a half ho'er of barley& 3and I said unto her( Thou shaft abide for 'e 'any days? thou shalt not play the harlot( and thou shalt not be for another 'an& so ill I also be for theeA #espite the existing controversy about hether ,osea1s 'arriage to a hore is sy'bolic or literal( there is no dispute about the later chapters referIring once again to an apostate Israel freely consorting ith te'ple prostitutes and sexually debauching the'selvesA ,ere( the conde'nation applies eOually to 'en and o'en for participating in the forbidden ritesA >D2S""t 0&%+H%0 I+)y people as! counsel at their stoc!s( and their staff declareth unto the'& for the spirit of horedo's hath caused the' to err( and they have gone a horing fro' under their <odA -(They sacrifice upon the tops of the 'ountains( and burn incense upon the hills( under oa!s and poplars and el's( because the shado

137

thereof is good& therefore your daughters shall co''it horedo'( and your spouses shall co''it adulteryA I0I ill not punish your daughters hen they co''it horedo'( nor your spouses hen they co''it adultery& for the'selves are separated ith hores( and they sacrifice ith harlots& therefore the people that doth not understand shall fallA *e ill explore this arcane subDect of sacred prostitution in depth in "hapter 3$A

"hapter +8 "hrist "onverses *ith T o *o'en 2f Ill Repute

*,I-E IT IS 72T,I7< -ESS T,A7 "2))E7#AB-E T,AT ",RIST did not hesitate to 'ix freely ith prostitutes( he did i'plicIitly conde'n their lifestyle by virtue of his pronounce'ents to the'A In the instance of the o'an of Sa'aria( he chastised her for the co''onBla arrange'ent under hich she as presently livingA =2fDrt 0BlM3F[ *hen therefore the -ord !ne ho the Pharisees had heard that >esus 'ade and bapti@ed 'ore disciples than >ohn( +9though >esus hi'self bapti@ed not( but his disciples(: 3he left >udea( and departed again into <alileeA 0And he 'ust needs go through Sa'ariaA 3Then co'eth he to a city of Sa'aria( hich is called Sychar( near to the parcel of ground that >acob gave to his( son >osephA 57o >acob s ell as thereA >esus therefore( being earied ith his Dourney( sat thus on the ell& and it as about the sixth hourA There co'eth a o'an of Sa'aria to dra ater& >esus saith unto her( <ive 'e to drin!A 894or his disciples ere gone a ay unto

138

the city to buy 'eatA: Then saith the o'an of Sa'aria unto hi'( ,o is it that thou( being a >e ( as!est drin! of 'e( hich a' a o'an of Sa'ariaP for the >e s have no dealings ith the Sa'aritansA I$>esus ans ered and said unto her( If thou !ne est the gift of <od( and ho it is that saith to thee( <ive 'e to drin!? thou ouldest have as!ed of hi'( and he ould have given thee living aterA GThe o'an saith unto hi'( Sir( thou hast nothing to dra ith( and the ell is deep& fro' hence then hast thou that living aterP I+Art thou greater than our father >acob( hich gave us the ell( and dran! thereof hi'self( and his children( and his cattleP IDDesus ans ered and said unto her( *hosoever drin!eth of this ater shall thirst again& Gbut hosoever drin!eth of the ater that I shall give hi' shall never thirst? but the ater that I shall give hi' shall be in hi' a ell of ater springing up into everlasting lifeA l3The o'an saith unto hi'( Sir( give 'e this ater( that I thirst not( neither co'e hither to dra A I5>esus saith unto her( <o( call thy husband( and co'e hitherA IBThe o'an ans ered and said( I have no husbandA >esus said unto her( Thou hast ell said( I have no husband& Gfor thou hast had five husbands? and he ho' thou no hast is not thy husband& in that saidst thou

"fDapterFiBentiDB"igfDt

;3

139

trulyA I;The o'an saith unto hi'( Sir( I perceive that thou art a prophetA +$2ur fathers orshipped in this 'ountain? and ye say( that in >erusale' is the place here 'en ought to orshipA +%>esus saith unto her( *o'an( believe 'e( the hour co'eth( hen ye shall neither in this 'ountain( nor yet at >erusale'( orship the 4atherA ++Qe orship ye !no not hat& e !no hat e orship? for salvation is of the >e sA +(But the hour co'eth( and

no is( hen the true orshippers shall orship the 4ather in spirit and in truth& for the 4ather see!eth such to orship hi'A +0<od is a Spirit& and they that orship hi' 'ust orship hi' in spirit and in truthA GThe o'an saith unto hi'( I !no that )essiah co'eth( hich is called "hrist& hen he is co'e( he ill tell us all thingsA +5>esus saith unto her( I that spea! unto thee a' heA+1And upon this ca'e his disciples( and 'arveled that he tal!ed ith the o'an& yet no 'an said( *hat see!est thouP or( *hy tal!est thou ith herP +8The o'an then left her aterpot( and ent her ay into the city( and saith to the 'en( +;"o'e( see a 'an( hich told 'e all things that ever I did& is not this the "hristP 3$Then they ent out of the city( and ca'e unto hi'A In the instance of )ary of Bethany( ho ashed and anointed "hrist1s feet ith her o n hair as he sat to eat at the ho'e of a Pharisee( he told her that her sins ere forgivenA DSu9l" 6&35B3$ 35And one of the Pharisees desired hi' that he ould eat ith hi'A And he ent into the Pharisees house( and sat do n to 'eatA 3 And( behold( a o'an in the city( hich as a sinner( hen she !ne that >esus

140

sat at 'eat in the Pharisees house( brought an alabaster box of oint'ent( 38and stood at his feet behind hi' eeping( and began to ash his feet ith tears( and did ipe the' ith the hairs of her head( and !issed his feet( and anointed the' ith the oint'entA 3;7o hen the Pharisee hich had bidden hi' sa it( he spa!e ithin

hi'self( saying( This 'an( if he ere a prophet( ould have !no n ho and hat 'anner of o'an this is that toucheth hi'? for she is a sinnerA 1G1And >esus ans ering said unto hi'( Si'on( I have so'e hat to say unto theeA And he saith( )aster( say onA GGThere as a certain creditor hich had t o debtors& the one o ed five hundred pence( and the other fiftyA 0+And hen they had nothing to pay( he fran!ly forgave the' bothA Tell 'e therefore( hich of the' ill love hi' 'ostP 03Si'on ;5 @fcftBiiatib W' \ip??F?FFBFG0FFBiPJJs[P&?B[V?rA ans ered and said( I suppose that he( to ho' he forgave 'ostA And he said unto hi'( Thou hast rightly DudgedA [[And he turned to the o'an( and said unto Si'on( Seeth thou this o'anP I entered into thine house( thou gavest 'e no ater for 'y feet& but she hath ashed 'y feet ith tears( and iped the' ith the hairs of her headA 0^Thou gavest 'e no !iss& but this o'an( since the ti'e I ca'e in( hath not ceased to !iss 'y feet( 05)y head ith oil thou didst not anoint& but this o'an hath anointed 'y feet ith oint'entA 06*herefore I say unto thee(

141

,er sins( hich are 'any( are forgiven? for she loved 'uch& but to ho' little is forgiven( the sa'e loveth littleA 05And he said unto her( Thy sins are forgivenA 0;And they that sat at 'eat ith hi' began to say ithin the'Bselves( *ho is this that forgiveth sins alsoP 3iAnd he said to the o'an( Thy faith hath saved thee? go in peaceA )ary of Bethany is associated by tradition ith )ary )agdalene and the consensus of scholarly opinion is that they ere one and the sa'e personA The other three <ospels give a si'ilar account of )ary1s anointing of "hrist( but ith so'e discrepanciesA >ohn1s <ospel has )ary anointing "hrist1s feet( but the event occurs at )ary1s o n ho'e rather than at the house of Si'on the leper as in -u!e1s account( F2l>rT %+%%H2 1Then >esus six days before the passover ca'e to Bethanv( here -a@arus as hich had been dead( ho' he raised fro' the deadA GThere they 'ade hi' a supper? and )artha served& but -a@arus as one of the' that sat at the table ith hi'A 1Then too! )ary a pound of oint'ent of spi!enard( very costly( and anointed the feet of >esus( and iped his feet ith her hair& and the house as filled ith the odor of the oint'entA GThen ''''''''''' cFteFFt ;6 saith one of the disciples( >udas Iscar1iot( Si'ons son( hich should betray hi'( 3*hy as not this oint'ent sold

142

for three hundred pence( and given to the poorP This he said( not that he cared for the poor? but because he as a thief( and had the bag( and bare hat as put thereinA 1Then said >esus( -et her alone& against the day of 'y burying hath she !ept thisA Tor the poor al ays ye have ith you? but 'e ye have not al aysA )atthe has )ary si'ply pouring the oint'ent on "hrist1s headA =fftattfDet# +5&5B%3 57o hen >esus as in Bethany( in the house of Si'on the leper( 6there ca'e unto hi' a o'an having an alabaster box of very precious oint'ent( and poured it on his head( as he sat at 'eatA sBut hen his disciples sa it( they had indignation( saying( To hat purpose is this asteP ;4or this oint'ent 'ight have been sold for 'uch( and given to the poorA I$*hen >esus understood it( he said unto the'( *hy trouble ye the o'anP for she hath rought a good or! upon 'eA G4or ye have the poor al ays ith you? but 'e ye have not al aysA I+4or in that she hath poured this oint'ent on 'y body( she did it for 'y burialA %3Cerily I say unto you( *heresoever this gospel shall be preached in the hole orld( there shall also this( that this o'an hath done( be told for a 'e'orial of herA )ar!( li!e )atthe ( records the incident ith )ary 'erely anointing "hrist1s headA 'ar! %0[3H; 3And being in Bethany( in the house of Si'on the leper( as he sat at 'eat( there ca'e a o'an having an alabaster box of oint'ent of spi!enard very precious? and she bra!e the box( and poured it on his headA 0And there ere so'e that had indigInation ithin the'selves( and said( *hy as this aste of the oint'ent 'adeP Tor it

143

'ight have been sold for 'ore than three hundred pence( and have been given to the poorA And they 'ur'ured against herA 5And >esus said( -et her alone? hy trouble ye herP she hath rought a good or! on 'eA Tor ye have the poor ith you al ays( and hensoever ye ill ye 'ay do the' good& but 'e ye have not al aysA GShe hath done hat she could& she is co'e aforehand to anoint 'y body to the buryingA Cerily I say unto you( *heresoever ;8 ZfDtfiB'W '! cFFF)s))W)ff`))FffW this gospel shall be preached throughout the hole orld( this also that she hath done shall be spo!en of for a 'e'orial of herA "hrist bro!e even further ith tradition hen he announced that prostiItutes eren1t the orst sinners aroundA 2fftattfD2# +%&3% Cerily I say unto you( That the publicans and the harlots go into the !ingdo' of <od before youA But he denounced anyone ho consorted ith a loose o'an and considIered it to be the orst for' of dissipation and degradation as evidenced in his Dudg'ent on the prodigal son as retold in the fa'ous parableA %L3N3 F But F soon 3s tnis thy son as co'e( hich hath devoured thy living ith harlots( thou hast !illed for hi' the fatted calfA The hitherto taboo subDect of "hrist1s sexuality has been explored in great depth recently( ith particular reference to )ary )agdaleneA In The Sexuality of >esus( *illia' EA Phipps analy@es the state'ent 'ade by "hrist to )ary )agdalene subseOuent to the resurrectionA 3$fDn +$&%6 >esus saith unto her( Touch 'e not? for I a' not yet ascended to 'y 4ather& but go to 'y brethren( and say unto the'( I ascend unto 'y 4ather( and your 4ather? and to 'y <od( and your <odA

144

The verb hapten( used only here in the 4ourth <ospel( ranges in 'eaning in the 7e Testa'ent fro' 'a!ing contact ith a gar'ent to having intercourse ith a partnerA The verbal tense here ith the negative 'eans to cease an action in hich one has been engagedA This i'perative graphically sy'boli@es the trau'atic transfor'ation to hich )agdalene as adDusting as her tie ith >esus beca'e exclusively intangibleA This sa'e theology professor authored the boo! *as >esus )arriedP in hich he Ouotes the recently discovered <ospel of Philip as recording a tradition hich referred to )agdalene as "hrist1s spouseA All of this brea! ith tradition gives an entirely ne di'ension of the true nature of "hristA 7or'an Pittenger( an Anglican specialist in "hristology( has ritten recently in "hristology Reconsidered( pA 5%& SSF)SFSSfFffFSFSffSSF) "iDapter ITroentyB"icDfDt ;; It is of first i'portance to stress that to spea! of >esus as being truly hu'an is also to spea! of hi' as a sexual beingA *hatever ays he 'ay have chosen to express or to rechannel his sexuality A A A it is clear that hen his sinlessness is 'entioned e do not( or should not( ta!e this to i'ply asexualityA

"hapter +; Eli1s ,orny Sons

42R 42RTQ QEARS( E-I SERCE# ISRAE- 4AIT,4/--Q AS A PRIESTA ,is t o sons( ,ophni and Phinehas( beca'e notorious hore'ongers 9 o'ani@ers:A Because of Eli1s sacerdotal position( the dishonor hich they brought to their fathers na'e as especially disgracefulA I Sa'ud@& ZZMZF G7o Eli as very old( and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel? and ho they lay ith the

145

o'en that asse'bled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregationA +oAnd he said unto the'( hy do ye such thingsP for I hear of your evil dealings by all the peopleA +07ay( 'y sons? for it is no good report that I hear& ye 'a!e the -ord1s people to transgressA +3If one 'an sin against another( the Dudge shall Dudge hi'& but if a 'an sin against the -ord( ho shall entreat for hi'P 7ot ithstanding( they hear!ened not unto the voice of their father( because the -ord ould slay the'A Through the 'outh of a local prophet( >ehovah arned Eli of the i'pendIing death of both his sonsA I `a'uc9@ F30 And this shall be a sign unto thee( that shall co'e upon thy t o sons( on ,ophni and Phin eBhas? in one day they shall die both of the'A True to the prediction( they ere both !illed on the sa'e day in a battle ith the PhilistinesA The truly arresting aspect of this narrative is the indication that Israel had begun to i'itate her "anaanite neighbors by engaging in sacred sex acts( for there is every reason to suspect that in GlyingG ith the fe'ale orshippers( ,ophni and Phinehas ere serving as sex priestsHa practice hich as to beco'e Ouite co''onplaceA So idespread( in fact( did this phallic orship beco'e that the prophet A'os %$$ SfDeFBWctteb Fifife recounts a situation in hich a father and son shared the sa'e te'ple prostituteHproof that Israel at this point had thoroughly debauched the'Iselves before >ehovahA

146

yN'2S +&5B8 5Thus saith the -ord? 4or three transgressions of Israel( and for four( I ill not turn a ay the punish'ent thereIof? because they sold the righteous for silver( and the poor for a pair of shoes? that pant after the dust of the earth on the head of the poor( and turn aside the ay of the 'ee!& and a 'an and his father ill go in unto the sa'e 'aid( to profane 'y holy na'e& iand they lay the'selves do n upon clothes laid to pledge by every altar( and they drin! the ine of the conde'ned in the house of their godA The subDect of sacred prostitution is a difficult one at best( not only because e reallv do not !no Dust ho the syste' or!ed( but also because it is virtually i'possible for the 'odern reader to co'prehend such a practiceA <ordon Rattray Taylor helps in conceptuali@ing this activity by his description ' Sex in ,istory( pA ++6& The ter' prostitution( ith its connotations of sordid co''erIcialis' and holeBandBcorner lust( holly 'isrepresents the sacred and uplifting character of the experience( as it as experienced by those ho too! partA It as nothing less than an act of co''uInion ith <od and as as re'ote fro' sensuality as the "hristian act of co''union is re'ote fro' gluttonyA 7onetheless( >ehovah severely conde'ned these idolatrous practices( even hen the 'oney earned by the 'ale or fe'ale in Ouestion as donated to the local te'pleA +:e/ter2no'y +3&%6B%8 ?There shall be no hore of the daughters of Israel( nor a sodo'ite of the sons of IsraelA I8Thou shalt not bring the hire of a hore( or the price of a dog( into the house of the -ord thy <od for any vo & for

147

even both these are abo'ination unto the -ord thy <odA Israel continuously vacillated bet een their devotion to >ehovah and their bac!sliding into the co'peting fertility religionsA It 'ust be borne in 'ind that Israel as a tiny nation living under the shado of 'ighty states hich S\*?F?FF&aFFF?)FFfFF$FPi "fDapt"T FC2tntyB=Xint %$% ere holly devoted to phallic orshipA There ere heroic efforts to uproot any vestige of sex orship as revealed in the follo ing extracts& I )figS ++&03B05 037o the rest of the acts of >ehosh1BaBphat( and his 'ight that he sho ed( and ho he arred( are they not ritten in the boo! of the "hronicles of the !ings of >udahP 05And the re'nant of the sodo'ites( hich re'ained in the days of his father Asa( he too! out of the landA c>tlbcDeS +n5B%6 G7evertheless the -ord raised up Dudges( hich delivered the' out of the hand of those that spoiled the'A 1And yet they ould not hear!en unto their Dudges( but they ent a horing after other gods( and bo ed the'selves unto the'& they turned Ouic!ly out of the ay hich their fathers al!ed in( obeying the co''and'ents of the -ord& but they did not soA Qet( despite these ca'paigns( a distinguished scholar of the period( >ohannes Pedersen( has this to say in his boo! -rael( IEHIC& G*e receive the i'pression that sexual rites do'inated the Israelite cultus throughout the 'onarchic periodAG 9pA 06$: Another noted authority( -A )A Epstein( su's it up in Sex -a s and "usto's in >udais'& The Bible reflected the native and higher >e ish ideal( hile the routine of life fell a prey to the foreign influences

148

hich the people pic!ed up fro' their neighborsAAAA All told( it presents the picture of a battle bet een the native ,ebre aversion to carnality in the na'e of religion( and the heathen groups( one after another( ho 'ade a religion of carnality( 9pA %35: Is it not plausible that >ehovah hi'self as largely responsible for Israel being so easily led astray and drifting so readily into these fertility cults and rites of sacred prostitutionP After all( >ehovah had instituted the rite of circu'cision in hich the dipped penis beca'e consecrated to hi'( and perhaps un ittingly( he had fostered a direct lin! to phallic orship and had created his o n 4ran!enstein 'onster hich as no very 'uch out of controlA *hereas in consorting ith religious prostitutes Israel as occasionally forgetful of their 'ountaintop deity( through the use of sex idols and i'ages( their attention as constantly riveted to the deification of the reproductive organs and the gods of fertility ho ruled over both creation and procreationA %$+ FfDeFBFateb Si59e BP>N (1( ( To this least understood( highly controversial and 'ost i'portant topic e 'ust no turn our attentionA

"hapter 3$ ,ung -i!e A >ac!ass

PART A7# PAR"E- 24 T,E SA"RE# PR2STIT/TI27 *,I", *AS no ra'pant in Israel as the orship of phallic i'agesA A verse fro' )icah reveals that anyone consorting ith these te'ple prostitutes had to pay a price for the privilege and that the inco'e derived therefro' as used to erect 9no pun intended: phallic

149

i'ages and idolsA 1Fftt"2iD CA> And all the graven i'ages thereof shall be beaten to pieces( and all the hires thereof shall be burned ith the fire( and all the idols thereof ill I lay desolate& for she gathered it of the hire of a harlot( and they shall return to the hire of a harlotA Although these phallic idols ere every here( it is difficult to reali@e ho ubiOuitous they really ere because of the obfuscation of the texts by the translatorsA A !een student of the period( TA "lifton -ong orth( says in The <ods of -ove& The "reative Process in Early Religion& *e 'ust fran!ly ad'it that the translators of our Authori@ed Cersion of the Bible( acting ith the best of 'otives( have delibIerately ca'ouflaged 'uch of the phallic sy'bolis' in the 2ld Testa'ent by 'istranslationA The t o usual sex e'ble's are often 'entioned? thus the pillar hich as so often set up and anointed as( of course( the phallus( or 'ale sy'bol? hile the ,ebre ord deliberately 'istranslated GgrovesG as the Dyon?( or

fe'ale organ( 9ppA 50H53: Even 'odern translations of the Bible do little to illu'inate the obscurity surrounding the prevalence of phallic idols and i'agesA In the fa'ous story of >acob s ladder( e have one of the earliest accounts of phallicis'A After >acob a a!ened fro' his drea'( he set up a phallic i'age and na'ed the place BethelA a3enests +8&%8 MM%; ISAnd >acob rose up early in the 'orning( and too! the stone that he had put for his pillo s( and set it up

150

"fDapter ITfDirty

%$3

for a pillar( and poured oil upon the top of itA I;And he called the na'e of that place Bethel& but the na'e of the city as called -u@ at the firstA If there is any doubt that the pillar as originally a sex sy'bol( during a later refor' period( it as destroyed as a phallic idolA II iFingS +3,0B%3 GAnd he bra!e in pieces the i'ages( and cut do n the groves( and filled their places ith the bones of 'enA l3)oreover the altar that as at Bethel( and the high place hich >erobo1a' the son of 7ebat( ho 'ade Israel to sin( had 'ade( both that altar and the high place he bra!e do n( and burned the high place( and sta'ped it s'all to po der( and burned the groveA There see's to have been a hiatus in sex orship during the ti'e of Saul( #avid and Solo'on( but Solo'ons son( Rehoboa'( apparently through the influence of his A''onite 'other( introduced sex orship into the great te'ple at >erusale'A I .ings %0&++B+i GAnd >udah did evil in the sight of the -ord( and they provo!ed hi' to Dealousy ith their sins hich they had co''itted( above all that their fathers had doneA +34or they also built the' high places( and i'ages( and groves( on every high hill( and under every green treeA +0And there ere also sodo'ites in the land& and they did

151

according to all the abo'inations of the nations hich the -ord cast out before the children of IsraelA Rehoboa'1s grandson( Asa( tried his best to eradicate this phallic orshipA I .ings %3&%%B%0 GAnd Asa did that hich as right in the eyes of the -ord( as did #avid his fatherA I+And he too! a ay the sodo'ites out of the land( and re'oved all the idols that his fathers had 'adeA IDAnd also )a1achah his 'other( even her he re'oved fro' being Oueen( because she had 'ade an idol in a grove? and Asa destroyed her idol( and burnt it by the broo! .idronA ?0But the high places ere not re'oved& nevertheless Asa1s heart as perfect ith the -ord all his daysA After so'e ti'e( the saintly !ing >osiah brought all sex orship to an end through his assault on such idolatrous practices in the sanctuary of Solo'ons great te'ple at >erusale'A It is note orthy here that a GgroveG had actually been installed inside the sanctuaryHthis as no doubt a phallic representation of the vagina in honor of the goddess Ashtoreth( the ife of BaalA II `,ngS +3&5B6 5And he bro ught out the grove fro' the house of the -ord( ithout >erusale'( unto the broo! .idron( and burned it at the broo! .idron( and sta'ped it s'all to po der( and cast the po der thereof upon the graves of the children of the peopleA And he bra!e do n the houses of the sodo'ites( that ere by the house of the -ord( here the o'en ove hangings for the groveA The GpillarsG and GgrovesG hich e have been discussing ere the phallic icons and i'ages set up 'ostly in the

152

great outdoorsA 7ot content ith these o'nipresent effigies of the hu'an sexual anato'y( the Isarelites also beca'e addicted to s'aller idols for use in the ho'e or for orship inside the te'plesA `ubgtS %6&3 And the 'an )icah had an house of gods( and 'ade an ephod( and teraphi'( and consecrated one of his sons( ho beca'e his priestA These s'aller idols ere called ephods and teraphi' and in so'e cases ere referred to si'ply as Ghousehold godsGA In the story of >acob and his ives -eah and Rachel( e have an intriguing reference to these Ghousehold godsAG -aban( the father of -eah and Rachel( as a pagan and hen >acob left ithout advance notice to -aban( Rachel stole her fathers idols and hid the' ith her possessionsA *hen -aban finally overtoo! the group( he searched high and lo for his idols but as unable to find the' since >acob as una are of Rachel1s theftA As -aban entered Rachel1s tent( Rachel feigned her 'onthly period so that -aban ould not co'e near her( but all the hile she as sitting on the idolsA a3eneSi` 3%&30B33 307o Rachel had ta!en the i'ages( and put the' in the ca'el1s furniture( and sat upon the'A And -aban searched all the tent( but found the' notA 3(And she said to her father( -et it not displease 'y lord that I cannot rise up before thee? for the custo' of o'en is upon 'eA And he searched( but found not the i'agesA

153

"hapter 1SfDixty

%$3

Since these household idols( li!e their larger counterparts( ere shaped li!e an erect penis( the instance of Rachel sitting on the idols 'ight be construed as an exa'ple of a fe'ale 'asturbating herself ith a GsacredG dildo had it not been for the ca'el pouch intervening bet een her and her phallic GfriendsAG *hen Saul as intent on !illing #avid( )ichal too! a Ghousehold idolG and put it in #avid1s bed so that Saul1s envoys ould thin! that #avid hi'Iself as in the bedA 4or this idol to have been 'ista!en for a 'an( it 'ust have been huge indeedX I `a'uc9 %;&%+B%5 I+s o )ichal let #avid do n through a indo & and he ent( and fled( and escapedA GAnd )ichal too! an i'age( and laid it in the bed( and put a pillo of goats1 hair for his bolster( and covered it ith a clothA I0And hen Saul sent 'essengers to ta!e #avid( she said( ,e is sic!A I^And Saul sent the 'essengers again to see #avid( saying( Bring hi' up to 'e in the bed( that I 'ay slay hi'A IWAnd hen the 'essengers ere co'e in( behold( there as an i'age in the bed( ith a pillo of goats1 hair for his bolsterA >e@ebel stands out as the 'ost notorious practitioner of phallic orship in all of the ,oly *ritA The vicious and vindictive Oueen idoli@ed both Baal and Asherah( in all of their fertilityBrite splendor( 'uch to the consternation of her orthodox subDects and the rest of her courtA Several of her eunuch attenIdants despised her apostasy so 'uch

154

that they hurled her out of a indo to a violent death on the street belo A ,er blood as splattered against the palace all( her corpse tra'pled by horses and hat as left of her re'ains eaten by dogs( 9see pA %6+: The canine cannibals did leave behind >e@ebel1s s!ull( feet and hands in fulIfill'ent of EliDah1s prophecy that her body ould be scattered li!e shit on the field so that no one could tell ho it as 9II .ings ;:A Still another pleasant Bible bedti'e storyX The 'ost convincing evidence that Israel constantly alternated bet een devotion to >ehovah and devotion to Baal and Ashtoreth is found in the history of <ideons exploitsA The arrior destroyed the phallic altar of Baal together ith the vagina effigy hich as next to itA 3 /2">"S 5AG+3H+6 GAnd it ca'e to pass the sa'e night( that the -ord said unto hi'( Ta!e thy father1s young bulloc!( even the second bulloc! of seven years old( and thro do n the altar of %$5 ITfDeFBFateb 33i5fe Baal that thy father hath( and cut do n the grove that is by it& +5And build an altar unto the -ord thy <od upon the top of this roc!( in the ordered place( and ta!e the second bulloc!( and offer a burnt sacrifice ith the ood of the grove hich thou shalt cut do nA+ Then <ideon too! ten 'en of his servants( and did as the -ord had said unto hi'& and so it as( because he feared his father1s household( and the 'en of the city( that he could not do it by day( that he did it by nightA

155

>ust a little later on( hen <ideon had beco'e a ruler in Israel( he set up a gold i'age hich caused the people to revert once again to their phallic orshipA `ubgts 8&+6 And <id eon 'ade an ephod thereof( and put it in his citv( even in 2ph1Brah& and all Israel ent thither a horing after it& hich thing beca'e a snare unto <ideon and to his houseA /pon <ideon1s death( there as still another ca'paign to supplant >ehovah orship ith sex orshipA >/$">"3 o I33H33F ??And it ca'e to pass( as soon as <ideon as dead( that the children of Israel turned again( and ent a horing after Ba1ali'( and 'ade Ba1alBbe1rith their godA 30And the children of Israel re'e'bered not the -ord their <od( ho had delivered the' out of the hands of all their ene'ies on every side& Fneither sho ed they !indness to the house of >erubba1al( na'ely( <ideon( according to all the goodness hich he had sho ed unto IsraelA In the boo! of ,osea( a ne ele'ent is introduced( for there no see's to be a cultic lin! bet een sex and alcohol in the prophets pronounce'entA fDoSe"t 0&%%B%5 G*hored o' and ine and ne ine ta!e a av the heartA I+)y people as! counsel at their stoc!s(

and their staff declareth unto the'& for the spirit of horedo's hath caused the' to err( and they have gone a horing fro' under their <odA &1Thev sacrifice upon the tops of the 'ountains( and burn incense upon the hills( under oa!s and poplars and el's( because the shado thereof is goodA Therefore your daughters shall co''it horedo'( and vour spouses shall co''it adulteryA %0I ill not punish your daughters hen they co''it

156

horedo'( nor your S,>.fSF "fDopter ITfDirty

%$6

spouses hen they co''it adultery& for the'selves are separated ith hores( and they sacrifice ith harlots& therefore the people that doth not understand shall fallA 1FThough thou( Israel( play the harlot( yet let not >udah offend? and co'e not ye unto <ilgal( neiIther go ye up to Betha1ven( nor s ear( The -ord livethA I54or Israel slideth bac! as a bac!sliding heifer& no the -ord ill feed the' as a la'b in a large placeA Perhaps no it is easier to understand hy a favorite 'etaphor used by the Bible chroniclers in general and the prophets in particular is that of Israel being a hore in pursuit of 'any loversA This choice of 'etaphor as highly appropriate since Israel as Ouite literally prostituting itself by involve'ent ith gods hose priests and priestesses offered sacra'ental sex to all co'ers 9pun intended:A aE:BX\btiS 30&%+B%5 GTa!e heed to thyself( lest thou 'a!e a covenant ith the inhabitants of the land hither thou goest( lest it be for a snare in the 'idst of thee& Gbut ye shall destroy their altars( brea! their i'ages( and cut do n their groves& Gfor thou shalt orIship no other god& for the -ord( hose na'e is >ealous( is a Dealous <odA 1Test thou 'a!e a covenant ith the inhabitants of the land( and they go a horing after their gods( and do sacrifice unto their gods( and one call thee( and thou eat of his sacrifice? I5and thou ta!e of their daughters unto thy sons(

157

and their daughters go a horing after their gods( and 'a!e thy sons go a horing after their godsA >ere'iah ent so far as to co'pare apostate Israel ith a fe'ale ass in heat( and since both don!eys and asses ere considered to be grossly sensual ani'als( that as saying a lotA 3ere'tafD +&+0 A ild ass used to the ilderness( that snuffeth up the ind at her pleasure? in her occasion ho can turn her a ayP all they that see! her ill not eary the'selves? in her 'onth they shall find herA Through the prophecies of >ere'iah and E@e!iel( >ehovah pulled all the stops( as it ere( and conde'ned all of Israel as nothing 'ore than a co''on hore for their pursuit of sensual orshipA In this section( I ould li!e to depart fro' 'y usual practice of Ouoting the .ing >a'es Cersion and to provide( instead( a paraphrase of several divergent extracts hich e'ploy this 'etaphor %$8 tfDcfcBFlattb 33t5le FFFFF(iFFFFFWFF)FAFF))S) 'ost graphically It is sy'bolic and allegorical prostitution( to be sure( but unbelievably explicit in detailA IA F2Seb 2n F"t"'iaff 3&%B5 There isn1t any place in all the land that you haven1t defiled by co''itting adultery against 'eA Qou sit li!e a hore alongside the road aiting for a custo'er to co'e alongA Qou are li!e a faithless ife ho gives herself freely to other 'en every ti'e she gets the chanceA IIA Fctseb on "@duef %5&%B5$ h en I first sa you( you ere still covered ith blood and your u'bilical cord had not as yet been cutA That sa'e day of your birth( you ere du'ped into a field and left there to die until I ca'e along and adopted you as 'y very o nA As you reached puberty( your breasts beca'e ellBrounded and your pubic hair began to gro fully( yet as far as I

158

as concerned( you ere still as na!ed as you ere the day you ere bornA I 'arried you and you beca'e 'ine legally( but then you began giving yourself freely as a prostitute to every To'( #ic! and ,arry ho al!ed by All any 'an had to do to have you for his o n as to as! youA And during all these 'any years of playing the hore against 'e( you never have stopped to thin! about that day of your birth hen I first sa you still covered ith the blood fro' your 'other1s o'bA Qou have gone ahead and built a spacious brothel and in that house you have offered to spread your legs for every 'an ho ca'e alongA Qou have( in fact( been so eager to go to bed ith every 'an available that you have not even charged for your services and for this reason( you are far orse than an ordinary prostitute ho at least charges for her services and 'a!es her living therebyA But I ill still have 'y revenge against youA I ill personally !noc! do n all your bordellos and strip you na!ed and e'barrass you before all your loversA Qou ill be fully repaid for your unfaithIfulness and then( although you don1t deserve it( I ill ta!e you bac! as 'y ife and forgive you for everything that you have doneA IIIA F2Seb 2n b@eftef +3 9Israel had been divided into t o !ingdo's( and in this allegory( E@e!iel li!ens the t o divided !ingdo's to t o sisters( 2holah and 2holibah( ho have beco'e prostitutesA: SFSSFSSFffWSSFS)SFSFSSiFSifi "fDapter Firty %$; Both of your sisters have beco'e 'y ivesA Qou( the older sister 2holah and you( 2holibah( the younger one( have

159

beco'e infatuated ith the Assyrians( our neighborsA Qou have found these attractive young 'en to be irresistible and you have gone to bed ith captains( co''anders and 'any other soldiers dashing about on their horses and earing handso'e blue unifor'sA 2holibah( you have beco'e so thoroughly depraved that you have even fallen in love ith painted pictures hich you sa on a allA They ere pictures of Babylonian 'ilitary officers and you ere so sexually aroused by loo!ing at these pictures( that in your i'agination( you ere already giving yourself freely to the 'en in the picturesA Qou finally sent 'essengers to "haldea to invite the officers ho' the pictures represented to co'e to you in person( and you ent to bed ith the' fornicating freely( although( after your brief affair as over( you hated the' and bro!e off ith the' i''ediatelyA 2holibah( li!e your older sister 2holah( you started your life of sexual pro'iscuity as a young girl hen you ere still in Egypt and the oversexed( gigolo lovers you had there ere hung li!e a Dac!ass and shot such a huge ad of sper' that it ca'e out in floods li!e a load fro' a horseA And you let your boso' be caressed and your breasts fondledA But I ill soon stop both of you sisters fro' longing for Egypt and the 'any lovers you had to leave behind thereA Qou ill be fully repaid for horing and then you ill !no ho I really a'A If Pbyhoy or Penthouse 'aga@ine describes a huge( Dac!assBsi@e dic! eDaculating gobs and gobs of co'e( funda'entalists label that pornographyA But hen the prophet E@e!iel portrays the very sa'e thing( Bible

160

thu'pers call that divine inspirationX Every ti'e I a' as!ed hat I consider the dirtiest verse in all the Bible( I point to E@e!iel +3&+$ as the 'ost handsBdo n obvious innerX And if E@e!iel as 'erely the ghost riter for the Al'ighty( then >ehovah indeed is Dust another dirty old 'anX In the 7e Testa'ent( >ohn again e'ploys the harlot 'etaphor in his boo! of Revelation( although here it no longer refers to an apostate IsraelA The usual interpretation given to this passage is that the G<reat *horeG and the G)other of ,arlotsG ho sits on seven hills is Ro'e because of its geographical siteA The t o 'ost graphic Ouotes fro' Revelation are given in the .ing >a'es CersionA /$ FfDeDFBFateb Fi5fe vFfeP

''r''s '' %6,H ; 1And there ca'e one of the seven angels hich had the seven vials( and tal!ed ith 'e( saying unto 'e( "o'e hither? I ill sho unto thee the Dudg'ent of the great hore that sitteth upon 'any aters& + ith ho' the !ings of the earth have co''itted fornication( and the inhabitants of the earth have been 'ade drun! ith the ine of her fornicationA 3So he carried 'e a ay in the spirit into the ilderness& and I sa a o'an sit upon a scarletBcolored beast( full of na'es of blasphe'y( having seven heads and ten hornsA 0And the o'an as arrayed in purple and scarlet color( and dec!ed ith gold and precious stones and pearls( having a golden cup in

161

her hand full of abo'inations and filthiness of her fornication& 3and upon her forehead as a na'e ritten(

)QSTERQ( BABQ-27 T,E <REAT( T,E )2T,ER 24 ,AR-2TS A7# AB2)I7ATI27S 24 T,E EART,A 5And I sa the o'an drun!en ith the blood of the saints( and ith the blood of the 'artyrs of >esusA And hen I sa her( I ondered ith great ad'irationA And the angel said unto 'e( *herefore didst thou 'arvelP I ill tell thee the 'ystery of the o'an( and of the beast that carrieth her( hich hath the seven heads and ten hornsA BThe beast that thou sa est as( and is not? and shall ascend out of the botto'less pit( and go into perdition& and they that d ell on the earth shall onder( hose na'es ere not ritten in the boo! of life fro' the foundation of the orld( hen they behold the beast that as( and is not( and yet isA ;And here is the 'ind hich hath isdo'A The seven heads are seven 'ountains( on hich the o'an sittethA F efation %;&%B3 &And aft er these things I heard a great voice of 'uch people in heaven( saying( Alleluia? Salvation( and glory( and honor( and po er( unto the -ord our <od& +for true and righteous are his Dudg'ents? for he hath Dudged the great hore( hich did corrupt the earth ith her fornication( and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her handA 3And again they said( Alleluia( And

162

her s'o!e rose up for ever and everA F ( "fDapter jfDirty

Part $; Abortion( Pregnancy By Proxy( Sex #rugs And ,usbandBS apping

"fDaptet FfDirtyB2ne >E,2CA,1S PE7A-TQ 42R I7#/"I7< A7 AB2RTI27 ' ,A<AR( T,E BABQ )A.ER I* >A"2B1S 4ERTI-ITQ "27TEST /S

"hapter 3% >E,2CA,1S PE7A-TQ 42R I7#/"I7< A7 AB2RTI27

9"BF22/S +% 1A++H+3 GIf 'en strive( and hurt a o'an ith child( so that her fruit depart fro' her( and yet no 'ischief follo & he shall be surely punished( according as the o'an1s husband ill lay upon hi'? and he shall pay as the Dudges deter'ineA +3And if any 'ischief follo ( then thou shalt give life for life( +0eye for eye( tooth for tooth( hand for hand( foot for foot( +3bur'ng for burning( ound for ound( stripe for stripeA This is the sole Biblical 'ention of abortion( and as one can decipher fro' the text( it really is an argu'ent against a 'an inDuring a pregnant o'an and inducing a 'iscarriage( nothing 'oreA A fine as the only punish'ent 'eted out in the case of 'ere inDury to the 'otherBtoBbeA The death penalty as exacted( ho ever( if there as G'ischiefG hich is to say if the pregnant o'an diedA It is i'portant to note that abortion as only considered to be a serious offense if it resulted in the death of the 'otherA This as the prevailing vit for 'any centuries( even in the early "hurchA

163

It as Tertullian 9AA#A %5$H+3$: ho first gave rise to the notion that the Bible specifically prohibits abortion( and his authority for his vie of abortion being a cri'e as this very text Ouoted aboveA Tertullian then proceeded to expound his doctrine that the fetus beca'e ani'ated only after forty days if it as a 'ale and after eighty days if it as a fe'aleA This as a 'oot point since there as no av to deter'ine the sex of the fetus until after birthA And it should be noted that Gani'ationG or GOuic!eningG as not the sa'e as viabilityA In the for'er case( it as hen the soul entered the fetus? in the latter case( it as the point at hich the fetus could survive outside the o'bA >ero'e( ho translated this text fro' Exodus into -atin fro' the original ,ebre ( perpetuated this error although he should have !no n betterA The subDect as then bandied about a'ong the early "hurch fathers ho expressed 'any different points of vie on hen the fetus beca'e ani'ated( hether there as a difference bet een therapeutic abortion as opposed to abortion for convenience and hether it as the 'other or the abortionist ho as guilty of a cri'eA The turning point ca'e in %85; ith Pope Pius IX s pronounce'ent that abortion as al ays a grave 'oral offense and that anyone guilty of being associated ith this cri'e as to be exco''unicatedA Since Pius IX had already enunciated the doctrine of papal infallibility( his fiat on abortion carried great eightA R 1 rFrF AA)B JGJA1 rFG FAA "fDapterFfDirtyB2ne %%3 Pius IX had also decreed in %830 that )ary as free fro' original sin Gin the first instant of her conceptionG and the

164

idea soon gained currency that a soul as for'ed at the 'o'ent of conception and that hile contraception 'erely prevented the for'ation of a ne soul( abortion actually destroyed an alreadyBfor'ed soul( a belief held today not only by Ro'an "atholics( but also by 'any funda'entalists and orthodox >e sA This position vie s all abortions as 'urder and allo s no exceptionsA

"hapter 3+ ,agar( The Baby )a!er

SARA, *AS STERI-E A7# ,ER PRI)ITICE )I7# ATTRIB/TE# ,ER barrenness to >ehovah1s having deliberately ithheld fro' her the privilege of 'otherhoodA She therefore urged Abraha' to have intercourse ith her 'aid ,agar in order to perpetuate his seedA "enesiS %5&%B3 17o Sarai( Ab ra'1s ife( bare hi' no chilIdren& and she had a hand'aid( an Egyptian( hose na'e as ,agarA @And Sarai said unto Abra'( Behold no ( the -ord hath restrained 'e fro' bearing& I pray thee( go in unto 'y 'aid? it 'ay be that I 'ay obtain children by herA And Abra' hear!ened to the voice of SaraiA 3And Sarai( Abra'1s ife( too! ,agar her 'aid the Egyptian( after Abra' had d elt ten years in the land of "anaan( and gave her to her husband Abra' to be his ifeA Abraha' acceded to Sarah1s reOuest( but en'ity i''ediately developed bet een Sarah and ,agar ith the

165

result that ,agar ran a ayA 9#enests %5&0B5 0And he ent in unto ,agar( and she conIceived& and hen she sa that she had conceived( her 'istress as despised in her eyesA 3And Sarai said unto Abra'( )y rong be upon thee& I have given 'y 'aid into thy boso'? and hen she sa that she had conceived( I as despised in her eyes& the -ord Dudge bet een 'e and theeA 5But Abra' said unto Sarai( Behold( thy 'aid is in thy hand& do to her as it pleaseth theeA And hen Sarai dealt hardly ith her( she fled fro' her faceA >ehovah instructed ,agar to return to Abraha' and Sarah( and ,agar obeyed the angel ho delivered this sole'n 'essageA It as pro'ised to 3F( ^Pv BFB BF F[B /0 FfDeFBFateb St5fe ? > G ,agar that her seed ould be 'ultiplied exceedinglyA 5enests %5&6B%5 GAnd FFFF the angel of the -ord found her by a fountain of ater in the ilderness( by the fountain in the ay to ShurA 8And he said( ,agar( Sarai1s 'aid( hence earnest thouP and hither ilt thou goP And she said( I flee fro' the face of 'y 'istress SaraiA ;And the angel of the -ord said unto her( Return to thy 'istress( and sub'it thyIself under her handsA I$And the angel of the -ord said unto her( I ill 'ultiply thy seed exceedingly( that it shall not be nu'bered

166

for 'ultitudeA GAnd the angel of the -ord said unto her( Behold( thou art ith child( and shalt bear a son( and shalt call his na'e Ish1'aBel& because the -ord hath heard thy afflictionA I+And he ill be a ild 'an? his hand ill be against every 'an( and every 'an1s hand against hi'& and he shall d ell in the presence of all his brethrenA I3And she called the na'e of the -ord that spa!e unto her( Thou <od seest 'e& for she said( have I also here loo!ed after hi' that seeth 'eP G*herefore the ell as called BeerBla1haiBroi& Behold( it is bet een .adesh and BeredA l3And ,agar bare Abra' a son& and Abra' called his son1s na'e( hich ,agar bare( Ish1'aBelA I5And Abra' as fourscore and six years old( hen ,agar bare Ish1'aBel to Abra'A *hat is interesting about this entire incident of ,agar serving as a baby 'a!er is that although Sarah had not conceived as yet( she as destined to conceive in her old age after her nearBaffair ith .ing Abi'elech 9see "hapter 3%:A The lifting of the sterility curse on the !ing1s household see'ed to have had an effect on Sarah as ell( and the onceBbarren ife of Abraha' beca'e fertileA The son of her old age as to be IsaacA *hen three angelB'essengers sent by >ehovah first announced to Sarah that she ould bear a son in her old age( she as so incredulous of the

%%3

167

possibility that she laughed to herself as!ing hether she as going to enDoy sex at her advanced ageA $enesis %8&; H%+ ;And they said unto hi'( *here is Sarah thy ifeP And he said( Behold( in the tentA I$And he said( I ill cerItainly return unto thee according to the ti'e of life? and( lo( Sarah thy ife shall have a sonA And Sarah heard it in the tent door( hich as behind hi'A G7o Abraha' and Sarah ere old and ell stric!en in age? and it ceased to be ith Sarah after the 'anIner of o'enA GTherefore Sarah laughed ithin herself( saying( B After I

a' axed old shall I have pleasure( 'y lord being old alsoP She later lied to >ehovah and denied having laughed at the prospect of finally beco'ing a 'otherA 5enesis %8& %3H%L3 I3And the -ord said unto Abraha'( *herefore did Sarah laugh( saying( Shall I of a surety bear a child( hich a' oldP GIs any thing too hard for the -ordP At the ti'e appointed I ill return unto thee( according to the ti'e of life( and Sarah shall have a sonA l3Then Sarah denied( saying( I laughed not? for she as afraidA And he said( 7ay? but thou didst laughA The precedent established by Sarah in conceiving a son after a lifeti'e of infertility as to be follo ed by other notable Bible personagesA )anoah1s ife as visited by an angel ho announced that she ould give birth to Sa'son 9see "hapter 3+:A Through the 'inistrations of the priest Eh( El!anah1s ife ,annah pro'ised >ehovah that( if he ould open up her o'b( she ould dedicate her son to hi' 9I Sa'uel %&%H+8:A She beca'e the 'other of Sa'uel hose very na'e

168

in ,ebre 'eans Gas!ed of <odAG Sa'uel beca'e one of Israel1s 'ost pro'inent Dudges and it as he ho anointed #avid 9I Sa'uel %5&%3:A In the 7e Testa'ent( the priest Zacharias as visited by the angel <abriel ho announced that his ife Eli@abeth ould conceive although she as ell past 'enopauseA Their son as to be >ohn the Baptist 9-u!e %&3H+3:A And of course( there follo ed the story of Eli@abeths cousin( )ary( ho gave birth to "hrist 9see "hapter 0;:A If Abraha' had really been able to plug in to >ehovah1s unfailing preIscience( it ould not have been necessary for hi' to turn Sarahs servant ,agar into a surrogate 'other( especially in light of hat happened after Sarah gave birth to Isaac& there occurred an incident ith t o dia'etrically opposite interpreBtationsA a3enests +%&8B%$ And 1[a!T S,ft*T -u!e %&+$A Zacharias( an aged priest( had a barren ife( Eli@abethA The angel <abriel d announced they ould have a son( but ^ because Zacharias doubted his ord( he d as struc! du'b and unable to spea! A until the birth of the future >ohn the BaptistA the child gre ( and as eaned& and Abraha' 'ade a great feast the sa'e day that Isaac as eanedA ;And Sarah sa the son of ,agar the Egyptian( hich she had borne unto Abraha'( 'oc!ingA I$*herefore she said

169

unto Abraha'( "ast out this bond o'an and her son& for the son of this bond o'an shall not be heir ith 'y son( even ith IsaacA The 'ore co''on explanaItion is that Ish'ael 'erely taunted or 'ade fun of the infant IsaacA The other co''entary is that the teenaged and sexuallyBcapable Ish'ael 'olested or sexually abused the babyA Reading the text in the original ,ebre doesn1t elucidate 'uch( for Dust as the English verb Gplay ithG can be a double entendre( the ,ebre verb t@aha! also has the dual 'eaning of Gverbally teasingG and of Gsexually fondlingAG Probably the best indication of hat really transpired that day is the folIlo ing account relating that the very next 'orning( Abraha' expelled both ,agar and Ish'ael fro' his household and sent the' off into the ildernessA 9#enesis +%&%0 And Abraha' rose up early in the 'orning( and too! bread( and a bottle of ater( and gave it unto ,agar( putting it on her shoulder( and the child( and sent her a ay& and she departed( and andered in the ilderness of Be1erBshe1baA 38lc] "hapter FIrtyBFroo /6

"hapter 33 >acob1s 4ertility "ontest

A4TER -AB2RI7< SECE7 QEARS T2 *I7 RA",E-1S ,A7#( >A"2B understandably anted to 'a!e up for lost ti'eA Since >acob favored Rachel over -eah( >ehovah inexplicably sided ith -eah by allo ing her to be fertile and 'a!ing Rachel sterileA

170

+;B3% And hen the -ord sa that -e1ah as hated( he opened her o'b& but Rachel as barrenA Then began the fertility contest hich resulted in the birth of the t elve sons ho ould later beco'e the progenitors of the t elve tribes of IsraelA 9>acobs na'e as subseOuently changed to GIsraelGHsee <enesis 3+&+8A: 4irst( -eah gave birth to four sonsA ZF1(>:ZM33 3+And -e1ah conceived( and bare a son? and she called his na'e Reuben& for she said( Surely the -ord hath loo!ed upon 'y affliction? no therefore 'y husband ill love 'eA 1GAnd she conceived again( and bare a son? and said( Because the -ord hath heard that I as hated( he hath therefore given 'e this son also& and she called his na'e Si'eonA 30And she conceived again( and bare a son? and said( 7o this ti'e ill 'y husband be Doined unto 'e( because I have borne hi' three sons& therefore as his na'e called -eviA 3GAnd she conceived again( and bare a son? and she said( 7o ill I praise the -ord& therefore she called his na'e >udah? and left bearingA Rachel( in desperation over her o n barrenness( offered her hand'aid Bilhah to >acobA Rachel1s pri'itive 'entality believed that fertility as contaIgious and she intended to sit underneath Bilhah hen Bilhah gave birth so that a transfer of fertility 'ight be effectedA 3$I%B0 1And hen Rachel sa that she bare >acob no children( Rachel envied her sister? and said unto >acob( <ive 'e children( or else I dieA +And >acob1s anger as !indled against Rachel? and he said( A' I in <od1s stead( ho hath ithheld fro' thee the fruit of the o'bP 3And she said( Behold 'y 'aid Bilhah( go in unto her? and she shall

171

bear upon 'y !nees( that I 'ay also have children by herA 0And she gave hi' Bilhah her hand'aid to ife& and >acob ent in unto herA %%8 PK?SB3Sateb Si5fe rSFFFS>1FFSF4 %l B^GM nil Bilhah provided >acob ith t o sonsA >:$1AFM2 GAnd Bilhah conceived( and bare >acob a sonA 5And Rachel said( <od hath Dudged 'e( and hath also heard 'y voice( and hath given 'e a son& therefore called she his na'e #anA And Bilhah Rachel1s 'aid conceived again( and bare >acob a second sonA sAnd Rachel said( *ith great restlings have I restled ith 'y sister( and I have prevailed& and she called his na'e 7aph1taliA -eah1s productivity ebbed and she decided to offer her 'aidservant Zilpah to >acobA "enesis 3$%; *hen -e1ah sa that she had left bearing( she too! Zilpah her 'aid( and gave her >acob to ifeA Zilpah then bore >acob t o sonsA 2enests 3$I%$H%3 I$And Zilpah -e1ah1s 'aid bare >acob a sonA IXAnd -e1ah said( A troop co'eth& and she called his na'e <adA &LAnd Zilpah -e1ah1s 'aid bare >acob a second sonA GAnd -e1ah said( ,appy a' I( for the daughters ill call 'e blessed& and she called his na'e AsherA -eah1s son Reuben( no a gro n boy( ent out into the fields and brought his 'other so'e 'andra!esA This )editerranean herb is a 'e'ber of the nightshade fa'ily of plants and to this day in the )iddle East( it is believed to increase fertility in o'en( overco'e i'potence in 'en and to act as a po erful aphrodisiacA Even its roots

172

have a decidedly phallic appearanceA -eah planned to !eep the 'andra!es for herself hen Rachel as!ed that -eah give her so'e of the sex plantsA 9genesis 3$X%0 And Reuben ent in the days of heat harIvest( and found 'andra!es in the field( and brought the' unto his 'other -e1ahA Then Rachel said to -e1ah( <ive 'e( I pray thee( of thv son1s 'andra!esA -eah beca'e infuriated by the reOuest fro' her sister ho had already stolen her husband and she thought it presu'ptuous of Rachel to ant the sex plants as ellA Rachel then agreed( in exchange for the 'andra!es( to allo r?(1AC(TTB1 "hapter F9DtrtyBFree /; -eah to sleep ith >acob that night in order to try out her fertility fruitA In polyga'ous 'arriages( the husband custo'Iarily alternated sleeping ith his t o ivesA But one of the ives could al ays purchase fro' the other ife the privilege of sleeping ith the husband on a given nightA In the s ingers1 argot of todays society( this ould doubtless be called GhusbandBs appingAG GFT,[[[ [ F ,A* 9Senesis 3$&%3 And she said unto her( Is it a s'all 'atter that thou hast ta!en 'y husbandP and ouldest thou ta!e a ay 'y son1s 'andra!es alsoP And Rachel said( Therefore he shall lie ith thee

173

tonight for thy son1s 'andra!esA *hen >acob returned fro' or!ing in the fields that day( -eah greeted hi' and advised hi' that she had purchased the privilege of sleeping ith hi' that night through her love plantsA >acob acOuiesced and slept ith -eah that nightA 5eneSl3 3$&i5 And >acob ca'e out of the field in the evening( and -e1ah ent out to 'eet hi'( and said( Thou 'ust co'e in unto 'e? for surely I have hired thee ith 'y son1s 'anIdra!esA And he lay ith her that nightA >ehovah restored -eah1s fecundity 9the account does not reveal hether or not the sex drug helped: and she bore >acob t o 'ore sons as ell as a daughterA -eah attributed her regained fruitfulness to the fact that she had offered her hand'aid Zilpah to >acob and she believed that Zilpah1s productivity had no opened her o n o'bA 2enesis 3$&%6H+% 1And <od hear!ened unto -e1ah and she conceived( and bare >acob the fifth sonA l5And -e1ah said( <od hath given 'e 'y hire( because I have given 'y 'aiden to 'y husband& %+$ aaDe`B+fcateWgl5fc&LA and she called his na'e Is1sacharA I;And -e1ah conceived again( and bare >acob the sixth sonA +$And -e1ah said( <od hath endued 'e ith a good do ry? no ill 'y husband d ell ith 'e( because I have borne hi' six sons?

and she called his na'e Zeb1ulunA +IAnd after ard she bare a daughter( and called her na'e #inahA >ehovah had a change of heart and finally allo ed Rachel to conceiveA "enesis >:$1AZZH+0 ++And <od re'e'bered Rachel( and <od hear!ened to her( and opened her o'bA +3And she

174

conIceived( and bare a son? and said( <od hath ta!en a ay 'y reproach& +kand she called his na'e >oseph? and said( The -ord shall add to 'e another sonA Rachel bore >acob one 'ore son but died in childbirthA 5eneStS 33&%5B+$ I5And they Dourneyed fro' Bethel? and there as but a little ay to co'e to Ephrath& and Rachel travailed( and she had hard laborA I6And it ca'e to pass( hen she as in hard labor( that the 'id ife said unto her( 4ear not? thou shalt have this son alsoA I8And it ca'e to pass( as her soul as in departIing( 9for she died(: that she called his na'e Beno1ni& but his father called hi' BenDa'inA GAnd Rachel died( and as buried in the ay to Ephrath( hich is Bethlehe'A +$And >acob set a pillar upon her grave& that is the pillar of Rachel1s grave unto this dayA In case you got lost in the co'plex narrative( the score card finally ends up reading li!e this& -eah( seven children& Reuben( Si'eon( -evi( >udah( Issachar( Zebulun( and #inahA Zilpah 9-eah1s 'aid:( t o children& <ad and AsherA Rachel( t o children& >oseph and BenDa'inA Bilhah 9Rachel1s 'aid:( t o children& #an and 7aphtaliA Except for the sole daughter( #inah( the sons ere destined to beco'e the progenitors of the t elve tribes of IsraelA 1(( "fDapter FiDtrtyBFfDree%+%

175

Part %$ "ircu'cision 2f The -iving And The #ead

"hapter SlDirtiDBFour >E,2CA,1S 42RES.I7 "2CE7A7T %+3 )2SES A7# T,E 4-QI7< 42RES.I7 %3+ #ACI# "IR"/)"ISES T*2 ,/7#RE# P,I-ISTI7E "2RPSES %30

"hapter 30 >ehovah1s 4ores!in "ovenant

I4 I AS.E# Q2/ *,AT Q2/ T,2/<,T 24 A7 2R#I7ARQ ,/)A7 father ho subDected his helpless and defenseless infant son to a totally unnecessary and excruciatingly painful a'putation operation( you ould surely conde'n that father as being sadistic( cruelly inhu'ane( and guilty of the grossest for' of child abuseA Qet e are as!ed to believe that a !ind( loving( and caring heavenly father( na'ely Qah eh or >ehovah( insisted on the a'putation of the fores!in of all ,ebre 'ale infants Dust eight days after their birthA I therefore sub'it that >ehovah( by virtue of his covenant ith Abraha' reOuiring per'anent 'utilation of the penis( Oualifies as the nu'ber one child abuser of all ti'eA I also accuse >ehovah of creating Ada' ith a design defect If this o'niscient and o'nipotent deity later decided that he anted the fores!in re'oved( he shouldn1t have put it there in the first placeA Sad to say( the fate of all ,ebre 'ales as to lose it before they ever had a chance to use itA

176

2enesis %JB%B%3 1And hen Abra' as ninety years old and nine( the -ord appeared to Abra'( and said unto hi'( I a' the Al'ighty <od? al! before 'e( and be thou perfectA +And I ill 'a!e 'y covenant bet een 'e and thee( and ill 'ultiply thee exceedinglyA &And Abra' fell on his face& and <od tal!ed ith hi'( saying( 0As for 'e( behold( 'y covenant is ith thee( and thou shalt be a father of 'any nationsA F7either shall thy na'e any 'ore be called Abra'( but thy na'e shall be Abraha'? for a father of 'any nations have I 'ade theeA GAnd I ill 'a!e thee exceeding fruitful( and I ill 'a!e nations of thee( and !ings shall co'e out of theeA And I ill establish 'y covenant bet een 'e and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations( for an everlasting covenant( to be a <od unto thee and to thy seed after theeA 8And I ill give unto thee( and to thy seed after thee( the land herein thou art a stranger( all the land of "anaan( for an everlasting possession? and I ill be their <odA 1And <od said unto Abraha'( Thou shalt !eep 'y covenant therefore( thou( and thy seed after thee? in their generationsA I$This is 'y covenant( hich ye shall !eep( bet een 'e and you and thy seed after thee? Every 'an child a'ong you shall be circu'cisedA GAnd ye shall circu'cise the flesh of your fores!in? and it shall be a to!en of the covenant bet ixt 'e and youA &MAnd he that is eight days old shall be circu'cised a'ong vou( even1 'an child in your generations( he that is born in

177

g F[r F^L&Pc c "hapter FixtyBftoux %+3

the house( or bought ith 'oney of any stranger( hich is not of thy seedA G,e that is born in thy house( and he that is bought ith thy 'oney( 'ust needs be circu'cised? and 'y covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenantA 9genesis %6F+3H+J +3And Abraha' too! Ish1'aBel his son( and all that ere born in his house( and all that ere bought ith his 'oney( every 'ale a'ong the 'en of Abraha's house? and circu'cised the flesh of their fores!in in the selfsa'e day( as <od had said unto hi' A +0And Abraha' as ninety years old and nine( hen he as circu'cised in the flesh of his fores!inA +3And Ish1'aBel his son as thirteen years old( hen he as circu'cised in the flesh of his fores!inA +5In the selfsa'e day as Abraha' circu'cised( and Ish1'aBel his sonA +6And all the 'en of his house( born in the house( and bought ith 'oney of the stranger( ere circu'cised ith hi'A 4ro' ti'e i''e'orial( circu'cision has been practiced as a tribal riteA The pri'itive 'entality sa circu'cision as a sacrificial offering to their tribal god( and hat better sacrifice could they 'a!e than to offer a part of their very o n anato'yP 4reOuently( circu'cision as practiced on both 'ales and fe'ales( but in tribes here this evolved as a ritual( it did not usually occur until puberty at hich ti'e circu'cision of both 'ales and fe'ales is easily perfor'edA

178

By >ehovah1s insistence on having an infant circu'cised on the eighth day after birth( fe'ale circu'cision as precluded a'ong the Israelites since it is virtually i'possible to perfor' a clitoridecto'y on a fe'ale infantA Although 'ost Biblical scholars and historians feel that the origin of circu'cision has been lost in antiOuity( none deny the i'portance it as given in IsraelA The clearest indication of ho sole'nly the Israelites vie ed this i'portant rite is the fact that it as even allo ed to be perfor'ed on the Sabbath if the eighth day after the birth of a 'ale infant occurred thenA #eath as decreed for anv 'ale hose fores!in as not sacrificed to >ehovahA So'e interpreters insist that exco''unication rather than death as the only penalty exactedA "enests %6B%0 Arid the uncircu'cised 'an child hose flesh of his fores!in is not circu'cised( that soul shall be cut off fro' his people? he hath bro!en 'y covenantA %+0 ZfeftBFateb `t5fe The Encyclopedia of the >e ish Religion indicates that an exception to the reOuire'ent of circu'cision is per'issible in cases of hereditary he'ophilia( but only after t o previous 'ale children have he'orrhaged to deathX In his boo!( In the 7a'e of ,u'anity( >oseph -e is( ho as Ouoted in "hapter %$( insists that circu'cision as nothing 'ore or less than a blood sacrifice and that it as 'ade to preclude that the 'ale child ould be

179

conBta'inated by his 'other during her period of uncleannessA Since e already !no that anything a o'an touched during her period of uncleanness ould be infected by virtue of contagion( this ould hold true of her offspring as ellA By circu'cising her 'ale child on the eighth day after his birth( this blood offering to >ehovah absolved the infant fro' being conta'inated by his 'otherA 4or this reason( she ould be unclean only forty days hen giving birth to a son as opposed to eighty days hen giving birth to a daughterA In his very insightful boo!( >e ish )agic and Superstition( the ,ebre scholar( >oshua Trachtenberg( considers circu'cision a 'agical rite and a protection against the forces of evil( 'uch as 'agic ands and a'ulets are still idely used to bring good luc! or to ard off har' 9ppA %6$H%6+:A #uring the eight days before the ,ebre child as ushered into the co''unity ith this operation( both the 'other and child ere in constant danger fro' evil spiritsA But( once 'ade( the blood sacrifice as considered sufficient to drive off evil spirits and to invo!e the guardianship of the po ers of goodA 2ne 'ethod related by Trachtenberg for acco'plishing this as to place the bloody fores!in in a bo l containing ater and spices( and as 'e'bers of the congregation left the cere'ony( they ould bathe their hands and faces in itA Another interesting 'ethod of producing a truly onderful char' as that during the days preceding the rite( the fores!in of a child previously circu'Icised as put into the 'outh of one ho as to undergo the operationA In Sex -a s and "usto's of Israel( -A )A Epstein relates that according to ,ebre la ( a stillborn child 'ust be

180

circu'cised at the grave before burialA Also( any child ho died before he as eight days old as supposed to be circu'cised before burial in order to guarantee the salvation of his soulA These facts alone should convince the s!eptical reader that the rite had nothing hatever to do ith cleanliness as suchA In The "hristian Response to the Sexual Revolution( the fore'ost Bible interpreter( #avid )ace( has this to say about circu'cision& Every ,ebre 'an carried on his body the 'ar! of his identity as a 'e'ber of <od1s chosen raceA And it as no accident that he carried this 'ar! on his sex organA 4ar fro' being disreputable( GBGA1FCFrCr-CBCBCrABr(GG1 AJC?N(M&GGGG AAGGGG& GL(r "hapter F9DtrtyBFour N+3 this as the 'ost sacred part of his hole body? therefore it as appropriate that it should be specially dedicated to <od as the sy'bol that his hole body( his hole person( as dedicated to <odA 4or it as ith this organ that he beca'e( in a special sense( a coB or!er ith <odA 9pA +$: In both ,ebre and Arabic( the literal 'eaning of circu'cision is GpurifyingG or GcleansingG in a religious sense and it 'ust be vie ed( therefore( in the light of being a blood sacrifice of purificationA To i'pute to the rite a hygienic or sanitary factor is as fallacious as i'puting these sa'e Oualities to the purpose behind the ,ebre custo' of re'oving blood fro' 'eat so that it beco'es !osherA Throughout the 2ld Testa'ent( circu'cision is eOuated as being a sign of >ehovah1s personal covenant ith Israel and uncircu'cision is a sign of belonging to the 'any heathen( idolatrous tribes hich surrounded IsraelA

181

cte"tiafD 3+&% A a!e( a a!e( put on thy strength( 2 Zion? put on thy beautiful gar'ents( 2 >erusale'( the holy city& for henceIforth there shall no 'ore co'e into thee the uncircu'cised and the uncleanA F"re'taiU ;1(+3B+5 +3Behold( the days co'e( saith the -ord( that I punish all the' hich are circu'cised ith the uncircu'Icised? +5Egypt( and >udah( and Edo'( and the children of A''on( and )oab( and all that are in the ut'ost corners( that d ell in the ilderness& for all these nations are uncircu'cised( and all the house of Israel are uncircu'cised in the heartA b@eFtef 00&3B; 3And the -ord said unto 'e( Son of 'an( 'ar! ell( and behold ith thine eyes( and hear ith thine ears all that I say unto thee concerning all the ordinances of the house of the -ord( and all the la s thereof? and 'ar! ell the entertaining in of the house( ith every going forth of the sanctuaryA 5And thou shalt say to the rebellious( even to the house of Israel( Thus saith the -ord <od? 2 ye house of Israel( let it suffice you of all your abo'inations( in that ye have brought into 'y sanctuary strangers( uncircu'cised in heart( and uncircu'cised in flesh( to be in 'y sanctuary( to pollute it( even 'y house( hen ye offer 'y bread( the fat and the blood( and they have bro!en 'y covenant because of all your abo'inationsA 8And ye have not !ept the charge rPM9M DSt B7AA ( t Bv\ d " " 3B Cs? @[FA >" aIPBZ\1SMa& >vA FvBF\F 33c MP" Fci 3BF Bv F?Vte 3F rv 3SX 3s& BJv f^f %+5 FfDeFtBFateb 33i5le \BBFMv^BBFaPBMBF 0CBFBBFMFMF^[xFBFi

182

of 'ine holy things& but ye have set !eepers of 'y charge in 'y sanctuary for yourselvesA 1Thus saith the -ord <od? 7o stranger( uncircu'cised in heart( nor uncircu'cised in flesh( shall enter in 'y sanctuary( of any stranger that is a'ong the children of IsraelA )ohel perfor'ing circu'cisionA So deeply ingrained in the ,ebre psyche as the necessity of circu'cision that Paul stirred a great controversy a'ong the early "hristians hen he suggested that circu'cision as not necessary for the <entile converts to "hristianityA A genuine schis' had developed over the 'atter and Paul felt he had resolved it once and for all hen he pointed out that salvation as no obtainable through faith rather than 'erely by or!s or out ard signsA 4or proof that Paul ca'e to this conclusion Ouite late in his 'inistry( e have evidence that Paul hi'self perfor'ed the act on Ti'othy( a gro n 'an( upon the latter s conversionA Acts %5 1AM3 1Then ca'e he to #er1Bbe and -ys1Btra& and( behold( a certain disciple as there( na'ed Ti'o1BtheBus( the son of a certain o'an( hich as a >e ess( and believed? but his father as a <ree!& +*htch as ell reported of by the brethren that ere at -ys1Btra and IBco1Bniu'A 3,i' ould Paul have to go forth ith hi'? and too! and circu'cised hi' because of the >e s hich ere in those Ouarters& for they !ne all that his father as a <ree!A

183

)any historians vie ritualistic circu'cision as a for' of sy'bolic castrationA Seen in this light( it is un'ista!ably not a hygienic or sanitary 'easure( but rather a sacrificial act and ritualistic offering to appease >ehovah( and for that very reason( in Paul1s vie ( it as no longer necessary under the ne dispensation of grace hich "hrist had brought to the orld on his !a'i!a@e 'ission of salvation and vicarious atone'entA "fDapter 9PTf:irt(yBcour %+6 %c1AM %% 1And certain 'en hich ca'e do n fro' >udea taught the brethren( and said( Except ye be circu'cised after the 'anner of )oses( ye cannot be savedA +*hen therefore Paul and Barnabas had no s'all dissension and disputation ith the'( they deter'ined that Paul and Barnabas and certain other of the'( should go up to >erusale' unto the apostles and elders about this OuestionA 11And being brought on their ay by the church( they passed through Phoenicia and Sa'aria( declaring the conversion of the <entiles& and they caused great Doy unto all the brethrenA 0And hen they ere co'e to >erusale'( they ere received of the church( and of the apostles and elders( and they declared all things that <od had done ith the'A GBut there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees hich believed( saying( That it as needful to circu'cise the'( and to co''and the' to !eep the la of )osesA 5And the apostles and elders ca'e together for to consider of this 'atterA And hen there had been 'uch disputing( Peter rose up( and said unto the'( )en and brethren( ye !no ho that a good hile ago <od

184

'ade choice a'ong us( that the <entiles by 'y 'outh should hear the ord of the gospel( and believeA iAnd <od( hich !no eth the hearts( bare the' itness( giving the' the ,oly <host( even as he did unto us? ;and put no difference bet een us and the'( purifying their hearts by faithA I$7o therefore hy te'pt ye <od( to put a yo!e upon the nec! of the disciples( hich neither our fathers nor e ere able to bearP GBut e believe that through the grace of the -ord >esus "hrist e shall be saved( even as theyA 4or in >esus "hrist neither circu'cision availeth any thing( nor uncircu'cision? but faith hich or!eth by loveA =pdl"ludTlS 5l%L3 4or in "hrist >esus neither circu'cision availeth any thing( nor uncircu'cision( but a ne creatureA "F2l2SSlWTlS +XoHlDP 3Be are lest any 'an spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit( after the tradition of 'en( after the rudi'ents of the orld( and not after "hristA G4or in hi' d elleth all the fullness of the <odhead bodilyA ?And ye are co'plete in hi'( hich is the head of all principality and po er&11 in ho' also ye are circu'cised ith the circu'cision 'ade ithout hands( in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circu'cision of %+8 ITfDeFBFateb 33t5fe "hrist& l&buried ith hi' in baptis'( herein also ye are risen ith hi' through the faith of the operation of <od( ho hath raised hi' fro' the dead I3And you( being dead in your sins and the uncircu'cision of your flesh( hath he

185

Ouic!ened together ith hi'( having forgiven you all trespasses? Gblotting out the hand riting of ordinances that as against us( hich as contrary to us( and too! it out of the ay( nailing it to his cross? l3and having spoiled principalities and po ers( he 'ade a sho of the' openly( triu'phing over the' in itA In su''ary( then( rather than considering circu'cision to be a hygienic 'easure( the Israelites felt it as a religious actHa blood sacrificeA The re'oval of the fores!in 'ar!ed a 'ale as a 'e'ber of the special covenant peopleA It as a to!en but per'anent re'inder that the 'ale1s reproductive po ers belonged to >ehovah and that his penis as consecrated to >ehovah in order to fulfill the covenant pro'iseA In our so'e hat 'ore sophisticated and enlightened ti'es( 'ore and 'ore doubt is being cast on the desirability of circu'cision( even for hygienic purposesA *e no !no that cutting a ay the prepuce of the penis in circu'cision causes the nerves under the fores!in to atrophy ith a lessening of sensationA This raises the very legiti'ate Ouestion of hether or not the ulterior 'otive behind circu'cision in Israel as that of reducing the potential in the 'ale for sexual pleasureHconsistent ith other antiBsexual proclivitiesX At least one e'inent and respected >e ish scholar and historian argues convincingly that desexualf@ation as an i'portant aspect of penis pruningA Recogni@ing the sexual role of the fores!in( the great eleventhBcentury rabbi )oses )ai'onides Ouite succinctly stated that the effectHindeed( a pri'ary purposeHof circu'cision as A A A AAA to li'it sexual intercourse( and to ea!en the organ of generIation as far as possible( and thus cause 'an to be

186

'oderate A A A for there is no doubt that circu'cision ea!ens the po er of sexual excite'ent( and so'eti'es lessens the natural enDoy'ent? the organ necessarily beco'es ea! hen A AA deprived of its covering fro' the beginningA 2ur sages say distinctly& It is hard for a o'an( ith ho' an uncircu'cised T'anU had sexual interIcourse( to separate fro' hi'A H<uide for the Perplexed( Part III( "hapter X-IX "hapter FfDirtyB>our %+; 2ne of the first physicians to challenge the practice of routine circu'ciIsion as #rA <A SATho'pson ho rote this in a %;+0 edition of the British )edical >ournal& At one ti'e( hen I accepted hat authorities and boo!s told 'e( I as such a believer in the orthodox cult of circu'cision that I perfor'ed the operation upon 'yself? but increasing experience has convinced 'e of the unsoundness of this operationA AAA I ould strongly urge that this( a'ongst 'any other unnecessary and evil 'utilations( be relegated to li'boA #rA )iles At!inson( in his boo! Behind the )as! of )edicine( has even stronger ords to say& )y purpose as to discover hy the religious rite of one people should have beco'e the co''on practice of 'any others( and hat Dustification there is for it hen divorced fro' its religious i'plicationsA It see's i'possible to avoid the conclusion that the large 'aDority of circu'cisions are done( not on any scientific principle( but rather as an auto'atic ritual A A A The operation has beco'e a custo'( an unthin!ing habitA

187

The ter'inal part of the organ 9glans penis: is covered by a delicate 'e'brane and is highly sensitiveA The function of the fores!in is to preserve this sensitivenessA "ircu'cision does a ay ith this protection( the covering 'e'brane beco'es coarsened fro' exposure( and sensation is i'pairedA *orse still( the point of the 'axi'u' sensation is on the inner surface of the prepuce close to the frenu'( and this point is bound to be re'ovedA That the intensity of sexual sensation is i'paired by circu'cision is vouched for by 'en ho have undergone the operation in adult lifeA This is surely an aesthetic tragedy that reOuires so'e Dustification( even if hat you1ve never had you never 'issA Cery fe babies actually reOuire circu'cisionA To su' up the case( the eight of factual evidence is strongly against circu'Icision AAAA Aesthetically( it is undoubtedly badHat best( a 'utilation( at orst a tragedyA Through a curious happenstance of fate( I still have 'y o n fores!in only because Pittsburgh( PA( had a very active red light district in %;3+( the year %3$ SfDe?SBKtteb Si59e ( rG M1R (* (C(A1R GBM MM

of 'y birthA The doctor ho delivered 'e at ho'e had Ouite a lucrative practice a'ong the hoo!ers there and really didn1t care about the extra `3 nor'ally charged to perfor' the operation( So I o e Pittsburgh1s ladies of the night 'y everlasting gratitude for being intact and uncutX The /nited States re'ains the only industrial country in the orld here routine infant circu'cision prevails as a

188

'edical procedure consistently ran!ed as the 'ost co''on for' of surgeryA "oc! clipping beca'e entrenched in A'erican 'edical practice in the late %8$$s pri'arily to prevent( cure or at least rriini'i@e Dac!ing off in the 'ore lustful 'ale seg'ent of our populationA A'erica1s fores!in follyX Since our uniOue and unenviable stance on this issue is losing ground at a nearBexponential rate( parents ho still have difficulty 'a!ing a decision about their o n sons should contact this extre'ely helpful agency& 7ational 2rgani@ation of "ircu'cision Infor'ation Resource "enters 972"IR": PA2A Box +0%+( San Ansel'o( "A ;0;5$ Telephone& 0%3 088B;883 4or the latest update on the pros and cons of circu'cision( read t o co'plete boo!s on the subDect& "ircu'cision& An A'erican ,ealth 4allacy by Ed ard *allerstein 9Springer Publishing "o'pany( 7e Qor!( 7Q( %;8$: and "ircu'cision& The Painful #i!''a by Rose'ary Ro'berg 9Bergin W <arvey Publishers( IncA( South ,adley( )A( %;83:A The ,olocaust serves as an historical footnote to any discussion of the tragic conseOuences of the >e s1 slavish adherence to this 'indless and unfortunate ritualA 7o selfBrespecting Aryan <er'an ould have sacrificed his prepuce for love( 'oney or religionA "onseOuently( it as supre'ely easy for ,itler and his 'urderous 7a@i hench'en to identify 'ale >e sA "ountless nu'bers of victi's 'ight other ise have had their lives spared had they been able to pass as uncut <entilesA "fDapter 1S1fDirtyBFour %3%

189

"hapter 33 )2SES A7# T,E 4-QI7< 42RES.I7

bP$buS 0&%8B+5 I8And )oses ent and returned to >ethro his fatherBinBla ( and said unto hi'( -et 'e go( I pray thee( and return unto 'y brethren hich are in Egypt( and see hether they be yet aliveA And >ethro said to )oses( <o in peaceA I;And the -ord said unto )oses in )id1ian( <o( return into Egypt& for all the 'en are dead hich sought thy lifeA +$And )oses too! his ife and his sons( and set the' upon an ass( and he returned to the land of Egypt& and )oses too! the rod of <od in his handA +IAnd the -ord said unto )oses( *hen thou goest to return into Egypt( see that thou do all those onders before Pharaoh( hich I have put in thine hand& but I ill harden his heart( that he shall not let the people goA GAnd thou shalt say unto Pharaoh( Thus saith the -ord( Israel is 'y son( even 'y firstborn& +3and I say unto thee( -et 'y son go( that he 'ay serve 'e& and if thou refuse to let hi' go( behold( I ill slay thy son( even thy firstbornA +0And it ca'e to pass by the ay in the inn( that the -ord 'et hi'( and sought to !ill hi'A +^Then Zippofah too! a sharp stone( and cut off the foreIs!in of her son( and cast it at his feet( and said( Surely a bloody husband art thou to 'eA +5So he let hi' go& then she said( A bloody husband thou art( because of the circu'cisionA

190

This passage is curious on several accountsA Aside fro' the obvious do'estic Ouarrel bet een )oses and his ife( it is not at all clear hy >ehovah threatened to !ill )osesA *as the 'ountaintop deity outraged because )oses had failed to circu'cise his son or as he Dust having another te'per tantru'P 7or is it clear hy >ehovah changed his 'ind about annihilating )oses after )oses1 ife Zipporah cut off the fores!in of her young son1s penis and thre it at )osesA The 'ost enig'atic aspect of the narrative is the fact that it relates an instance of a boy being circu'cised long after the reOuired eight days specifically set forth by >ehovah in his fores!in covenant ith Abraha' 9see "hapter 30:A The explanation for this apparent inconsistency is found in a later passage in >oshua hich explains that the rite of circu'cision as te'porarily susIpended during the forty years of Israel1s andering in the ilderness( and for the second ti'e in Israel1s history( all the 'ales( regardless of age( sub'itted the'selves to this rite in order to fulfill the 'andate of >ehovah1s agree'ent ith their progenitor Abraha'A In this case( since there ere so 'any boys %3+ a3i3eFBVttteb Si5fe

and 'en involved( they ere all Ouarantined in the ca'p until they had recuIperated fro' the operationA "onsidering the nu'ber of 'en and boys ho ere still intact after the t oBgeneration hiatus in dic! tri''ing(

191

the Ghill of the fores!insG 'entioned here 'ust have been Ouite a sightHa virtual 'ountain of flesh that 'ight Dust as ell have been called Prepuce PointX 9D2Si>/9S `1B%M; 1And it ca'e to pass( hen all the !ings of the A'orites( hich ere on the side of >ordan est ard( and all the !ings of the "anaanites( hich ere by the sea( heard that the -ord had dried up the aters of >ordan fro' before the children of Israel( until e ere passed over( that their heart 'elted( neither as there spirit in the' any 'ore( because of the children of IsraelA +At that ti'e the -ord said unto >oshua( )a!e thee sharp !nives( and circu'cise again the children of Israel the second ti'eA 3And >oshua 'ade hi' sharp !nives( and circu'cised the children of Israel at the hill of the fores!insA 0And this is the cause hy >oshua did circu'cise& All the people that ca'e out of Egypt( that ere 'ales( even all the 'en of ar( died in the ilderness by the ay( after they ca'e out of EgyptA ^7o all the people that ca'e out ere circu'cised? but all the people that ere born in the ilderness by the ay as they ca'e forth out of Egypt( the' they had not circu'cisedA Tor the children of Israel al!ed forty years in the ilderness( till all the people that ere 'en of ar( hich ca'e out of Egypt( ere consu'ed( because they obeyed not the voice of the -ord& unto ho' the -ord s are that he ould not sho the' the land( hich the -ord s are unto their fathers that he ould give us( a land that flo eth ith 'il! and honeyA And their children( ho' he raised up in their stead( the' >oshua circu'cised& for they ere

192

uncircu'cised( because they had not circu'cised the' by the ayA 8And it ca'e to pass( hen they had done circu'cising all the people( that they abode in their places in the ca'p( till they ere holeA ;And the -ord said unto >oshua( This day have I rolled a ay the reproach of Egypt fro' off youA *herefore the na'e of the place is called <ilgal to this dayA Still another curiosity is the use of the ord GfeetAG This ord is used euphe'istically in other places to stand for the genitalsA 2ne of the prophets predicted that( as the Israelites ere to be carried off into exile( the Assyrian "fDapterFfDtrttDB> e%33 !ing ho as their captor ould shave both the hair of their heads as ell as their pubic hairA 3saiafU6&+$ in the sa'e day shall the -ord shave ith a ra@or that is hired( na'ely( by the' beyond the river( by the !ing of Assyria( the head( and the hair of the feet& and it shall also consu'e the beardA In "hapter %$( the 'other( in a period of great fa'ine( as allo ed to eat Gher young one that co'eth out fro' bet een her feet(G and in "hapter 36( Ruth stealthily entered the barn here her husbandBtoBbe Boa@ as sleeping( and as she lav next to hi'( she uncovered his GfeetAG In vie of this tendency to substitute GfeetG for Ggenitals(G e have the a'a@ing situation of the fores!in follo ing a traDectory as it fle through the air of heading right for )oses1 o n cut coc! al'ost as if it had a 'ind of its o n and( !ne exactly here it originally belongedX

193

"hapter 35 #avid "ircu'cises +$$ Philistine "orpses

SA/- *AS BITTER-Q E7CI2/S 24 #ANT# SI7"E #ACI#1S P2P/-ARITQ as greater than his o nA ,is Dealous rage resulted in t o atte'pts to 'urder #avid( but Sauls Davelin narro ly 'issed hi' both ti'esA I Sa'uef %8&5B%% 5And it ca'e to pass as they ca'e( hen #avid as returned fro' the slaughter of the Philistine( that the o'en ca'e out of all cities of Israel( singing and dancing( to 'eet !ing Saul( ith tabrets( ith Doy( and ith instru'ents of 'usicA And the o'en ans ered one another as they played( and said( Saul hath slain his thousands( and #avid his ten thousandsA BAnd Saul as very roth( and the saying displeased hi'? and he said( They have ascribed unto #avid ten thousands( and to 'e they have ascribed but thousands& and hat can he have 'ore but the !ingdo'P ;And Saul eyed #avid fro' that dav and for ardA & And it ca'e to pass on the 'orro ( that the evil spirit fro' <od ca'e upon Saul( and he prophesied in the 'idst of the house& and #avid played ith his hand( as at other ti'es& and there as a Davelin in Saul1s handA GAnd Saul cast the Davelin? for he said( I ill s'ite #avid even to the all ith itA And #avid avoided out of his presence t iceA %30 jDe?:5BKtteb 33t5fe Saul as afraid of #avid because he felt that >ehovah favored and protected the youthA ,e subseOuently got hi' out of the palace by de'oting hi' to the ran! of captainA Saul then offered his elder daughter )erab to #avid

194

provided that he ould prove hi'self to be a valiant soldierA ,is ulterior 'otive( of course( as that #avid ould be !illed in battle and that the Philistines( therefore( ould do the dirty or! of 'urdering #avid for hi'A In the end( ho ever( Saul gave )erab in 'arriage to Adriel rather than to #avidA %+H%; I+And Saul as afraid of #avid( because the -ord as ith hi'( and as departed fro' SaulA GTherefore Saul re'oved hi' fro' hi'( and 'ade hi' his captain over a thousand? and he ent out and ca'e in before the peopleA GAnd #avid behaved hi'self isely in all his ays& and the -ord as ith hi'A 1F*herefore hen Saul sa that he behaved hi'self very isely( he as afraid of hi'A I5But all Israel and >udah loved #avid( because he ent out and ca'e in before the'A 11And Saul said to #avid( Behold 'y elder daughter )erab( her ill I give thee to ife& only be thou valiant for 'e( and fight the -ord1s battlesA 4or Saul said( -et not 'ine hand be upon hi'( but let the hand of the Philistines be upon hi'A I8And #avid said unto Saul( *ho a' IP and hat is 'y life( or 'y fathers fa'ily in Israel( that I should be sonBinBla to the !ingP GBut it ca'e to pass at the ti'e hen )erab Sauls daughter should have been given to #avid( that she as given unto AdriBel the )eho1lathite to ifeA Saul1s younger daughter )ichal loved #avid and this pleased the 'onarch no end since he as able to concoct a plan hereby he as virtually certain that #avid ould be !illed in battle& he as!ed #avid to slay one hundred Philistines and to bring their fores!ins to hi' as a do ry for )ichal s handA

195

I Sa'uef %8& +A=H+S: +$And )ichal Saul1s daughter loved #avid& and they told Saul( and the thing pleased hi'A +IAnd Saul said( I ill give hi' her( that she 'ay be a snare to hi'( and that the hand of the Philistines 'ay be against hi'A *herefore Saul said to #avid( Thou shalt this day be 'y sonBinBla in the one of the t ainA ++And Saul co''anded his servants( saying( "o''une ith #avid secredy( and say( Behold( the !ing hath delight in thee( and all his servants love thee& no therefore be the !ing1s sonBinBla A +3And Saul1s servants spa!e those ords in the ears of #avidA And #avid said( See'eth it to vou a light thing to be a !ing1s sonBinBla ( seeing that I a' a poor r B T( R RB> M (G CBFBGM "hapterjfDirtyBSiDe %33 'an( and lightly estee'edP +0And the servants of Saul told hi'( saying( 2n this 'anner spa!e #avidA +oAnd Saul said( Thus shall ye say to #avid( The !ing desireth not any do ry( but a hundred fores!ins of the Philistines( to be avenged of the !ing1s ene'iesA But Saul thought to 'a!e #avid fall by the hand of the PhilistinesA #avid as so intent on pleasing his future fatherBinBla that he and his 'en sle t o hundred Philistines and brought their fores!ins to the !ing in exchange for )ichal1s handA I Sa'uel[ %8&+5B+6 +5And hen his servants told #avid these ords( it pleased #avid ell to be the !ing1s sonBinBla & and the days ere not expiredA +6*herefore #avid arose and ent( he and his 'en( and sle of the Philistines t o hundred 'en? and #avid brought their fores!ins( and they gave the' in full tale to the !ing( that he 'ight be the !ing1s sonBinBla A And Saul gave hi' )ichal his daughter to ifeA

196

Than!s to Sig'und 4reud and to *o'en1s -ib( nearly everyone is conversant ith the concept of penis envyA I have coined the ter' Gfores!in envyG here to describe the obsessive e'phasis given in the ,oly *rit on the rite of circu'cision( especially hen it reaches the extre'e of being perfor'ed on the deadA Surely there is no 'ore grisly or 'ore repulsive passage than this one in all the ScripturesA The true horror of it all does not really Ouite stri!e ho'e until one pauses to reflect and to conDure up the 'acabre scene of #avid and his 'en dutifully perfor'ing necrophilic circu'cision on the corpses of t o hundred Philistine soldiersA Saul understandably 'ade this horrendous reOuest because his Dealousy and hatred of #avid ere so intense that he anted to insure that #avid ould be !illed in battleA 2f course( hen #avid sho ed up at the palace ith double that nu'ber of fores!ins( Saul1s 'urderous intrigue as totally foiled and he as thereby co'pelled to give #avid )ichal1s handA /pon reading this passage( Coltaire( the great iconoclast( re'ar!ed ith his characteristically acerbic and penetrating it( that )ichal 'ight have been given her do ry in the for' of a fores!in nec!laceX Although the practice originated during the Biblical era( necrophilic circu'cision is alive and ell in presentBday IsraelA Enterprising rabbis there are 'a!ing a financial !illing by a'putating the fores!ins of cadavers of nonB>e s prior to burialA %35 a`fDcfiBFatW a+3%59[

197

Part %% The -o ly Status of *o'en

"hapter Sd iDtrtyBSeoen BIZARRE TESTS 42R A#/-TERQ A7# 42R CIR<I7ITQ /S "hapter PT:irtyBbu:9Dt >EP,T,A, 244ERS ,IS #A/<,TER T2 >E,2CA, AS A ,/)A7 SA"RI4I"E %03 "tDapter F9Uirti:B\/ne T,E 4E)A-E ,A7# T,AT 427#-ES S,A-- BE "/T 244 %03 "hapter aPorty T o )A>2R *I4EB.I#7APPI7< EXPE#ITI27S %06 "hapter cortyB2ne CIR<I7S AS SP2I-S 24 *AR %3$ "hapter FortyBFroo *2)A7 *AS )A#E 42R )A7 %30

"hapter

36 Bi@arre Tests 4or Adultery And 4or Cirginity

T,E ,EBRE* -A* "27"ER7I7< A#/-TERQ *AS "-EAR A7# specific It is the only sexual prohibition a'ong the Ten "o''andI'entsA The Seventh "o''and'ent reads& bDeobltS +$&%0 Thou shalt not co''it adulteryA The penalty as prescribed in another dictu'A >ltCiti"/S +$&%$ And the 'an that co''itteth adultery ith another 'an1s ife( even he that co''itteth adultery ith his neighbors ife( the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to deathA A test as devised to deter'ine hether or not a o'an as guilty of adultery and if any Ouotation fro' the Scriptures reveals a people ho ere superstitious in the extre'e( it is this fantastic prescriptionA LFI%%H3% GAnd the -ord spa!e unto )oses( saying( I+Spea! unto the children of Israel( and say unto the'( If any 'an1s ife go aside( and co''it a trespass against hi'( I3and a 'an lie ith her carnally( and it be hid fro' the eyes of her husband( and be !ept close( and she be defiled( and there be no itness against her( neither she be

198

ta!en ith the 'anner? Gand the spirit of Dealousy co'e upon hi'( and he be Dealous of his ife( and she be defiled? or if the spirit of Dealousy co'e upon hi'( and he be Dealous of his ife( and she be not defiled& l3then shall the 'an bring his ife unto the priest( and he shall bring her offering for her( the tenth part of an ephah of barley 'eal? he shall pour no oil upon it( nor put fran!incense thereon? for it is an offering of Dealousy( an offering of 'e'orial( bringing iniOuity to re'e'IbranceA I5And the priest shall bring her near( and set her before the -ord&X and the priest shall ta!e holy ater in an earthen vessel? and of the dust that is in the floor of the tabernacle the priest shall ta!e( and put it into the ater& I8and the priest shall set the o'an before the -ord( and uncover the o'an1s head( and put the offering of 'e'orial in her hands( hich is the Dealousy offering& and the %38 1efDeFBSfoiteo +St5fe gFSiyyFsiigDis.FF priest shall have in his hand the bitter ater that causeth the curse& I;and the priest shall charge her by an oath( and say unto the o'an( If no 'an have lain ith thee( and if thou hast not gone aside to uncleanness ith another instead of thy husband( be thou free fro' this bitter ater that causeth the curseA +$But if thou hast gone aside to another instead of thy husband( and if thou be defiled( and so'e 'an have lain ith thee besides thine husband& +Ithen the priest shall charge the o'an ith an oath of cursing( and the priest shall say unto the o'an( The

199

-ord 'a!e thee a curse and an oath a'ong thy people( hen the -ord doth 'a!e thy thigh to rot( and thy belly to s ell? ++and this ater that causeth the curse shall go into thy bo els( to 'a!e thy belly to s ell( and thy thigh to rotA And the o'an shall say( A'en( a'enA +3And the priest shall rite these curses in a boo!( and he shall blot the' out ith the bitter ater& +0and he shall cause the o'an to drin! the bitter ater that causeth the curse& and the ater that causeth the curse shall enter into her( and beco'e bitterA +?Then the priest shall ta!e the Dealousy offering out of the o'an1s hand( and shall ave the offering before the -ord( and offer it upon the altar& +5and the priest shall ta!e a handful of the offering( even the 'e'orial thereof( and burn it upon the altar( and after ard shall cause the o'an to drin! the aterA+ And hen he hath 'ade her to drin! the ater( then it shall co'e to pass( that if she be defiled( and have done trespass against her husband( that the ater that causeth the curse shall enter into her( and beco'e bitter( and her belly shall s ell( and her thigh shall rot& and the o'an shall be a curse a'ong her peopleA +SAnd if the o'an be not defiled( but be clean? then she shall be free( and shall conceive seedA +;This is the la of Dealousies( hen a ife goeth aside to another instead of her husband( and is defiled1 3$or hen the spirit of Dealousy co'eth upon hi'( and he be Dealous over his ife( and shall set the o'an before the -ord( and the priest shall execute upon her all this la A 11Then shall the 'an be guiltless fro'

200

iniOuity( and this o'an shall bear her iniOuityA Bible expositors do not !no exactly hat the G ater of bitternessG as in the preceding narrativeA *hat e'erges clearly( ho ever( is that the Gsuspicion offeringG and the Gla of DealousiesG ere designed to protect the interests of the husband( for there as never any such test for a 'an suspected of adulteryA N F>TFFFFiTFFAFFFFF M1MBS "fDapter FfDtrtyBSenen %3; In order to illustrate Dust ho gullible the ,ebre psyche as in their belief in the efficaciousness of the test of bitter aters( -A )A Epstein relates in Sex -a s and "usto's in >udais'( ppA ++6H+3%( the follo ing& If she is innocent( she e'erges uninDured and in good spirits and goes bac! triu'phantly to her husband and her ho'eA If she is guilty( her face beco'es yello ( her eyes bulge( her veins distend all over her body( her belly s ells( her thigh falls( and she is Ouic!ly re'oved fro' the Te'ple court to die outside so as not to defile the sanctuaryA Escape fro' the effects of the bitter ater is i'possibleA 2f one adulterous o'an it is told that to escape the effects she subIstituted her identical t in sister to ta!e the drin! in her placeA 2n the return of the sister fro' the ordeal( ho ever( the guilty sister 'et her sister ith e'braces and !isses( it as through these !isses that the guilty ife inhaled the odor of the bitter ater and died i''ediatelyA The hu'iliation of bitter ater( if the ife be innocent( ould add to her health if she as sic!ly(1 and give her beauty if she as ho'elyA 7ot onlv ould she beco'e 'ore prolific( but she ould have easy laborA She ould give

201

birth to boys no instead of girls? she ould have t ins instead of single births? and the children she bore ould be fair of co'plexion instead of dar!( tall instead of shortA The test prescribed for deter'ining virginity is not Ouite so bi@arre as that for adulteryA It is still a naive test at best and could hardlv be considered a conclusive one in light of present gynecological !no ledge of ho easily a fe'ale1s hy'en can be ruptured by otherBthanBsexual 'eansA The Gto!ensG of virginitv 'entioned here could only have been a bloodstained nig ht go n or bedding hich the parents retained as physical evidence of their daughter1s purity Dust in case an accusation to the contrary 'ight occurA This custo' is still idely practiced not only in the )iddle East( but also in European countriesA The paucity of virgins in Italy( for exa'ple( has led to cases of substituting to'ato sauce for blood on the bridal sheet thro n over the balcony railing on the 'orning follo ing the honey'oon nightA #euterono'y ++&%3B+% &Tf any 'an ta!e a ife( and go in unto her( and hate her( M0and give occasions of speech against her( and bring up an evil na'e upon her( and sav( I too! this o'an( %0$ SfDeFB3toteb 3)55 and hen I ca'e to her( I found her not a 'aid& l+then shall the father of the da'sel( and her 'other( ta!e and bring forth the to!ens of the da'sel1s virginity unto the elders of the city in the gate& I5and the da'sel1s father shall

202

say unto the elders( I gave 'y daughter unto this 'an to ife( and he hateth her? IBand( lo( he hath given occasions of speech against her( saying( I found not thy daughter a 'aid? and yet these are the to!ens of 'y daughter1s virIginity& And they shall spread the cloth before the elders of the cityA l3And the elders of that city shall ta!e that 'an and chastise hi'? l;and they shall a'erce hi' in a hundred she!els of silver( and give the' unto the father of the da'sel( because he hath brought up an evil na'e upon a virgin of Israel& and she shall be his ife? he 'ay not put her a ay all his daysA +$But if this thing be true( and the to!ens of virginity be not found for the da'sel& +Ithen they shall bring out the da'sel to the door of her fathers house( and the 'en of her city shall stone her ith stones that she die? because she hath rought folly in Israel( to play the hore in her father1s house? so shalt thou put evil a ay fro' a'ong youA In the case of a priests daughter( if she as found to have lost her virginity( the death penalty as still de'anded( but in the for' of incinerationA F"/tti"/S +.; And the daughter of any priest( if she proIfane herself by playing the hore( she profaneth her father& she shall be burnt ith fireA Besides having the obligation to see to it that his daughter as !ept sexuIally pure( a ,ebre priest could only 'arry a virgin and the la specifically forbade hi' fro' 'arrying anyone other than a virginA DEc2itl"/S %QA> They shall not ta!e a ife that is a hore( or profane& neither shall they ta!e a o'an put a ay

203

fro' her husIband& for he is holy unto his <odA +%%%$H%L3 &oAnd he that is the high priest a'ong his brethren( upon hose head the anointing oil as poured( and that is consecrated to put on the gar'ents( shall not uncover his head( nor rend his clothes? &lneither shall he go in to any dead body( nor defile hi'self for his father( or for his 'other? I+neither shall he go out of the sanctuary( nor profane the sanctuary of his >SSS.SSFF "fDapterFirtyBSetien %0%

<od? for the cro n of the anointing oil of his <od is upon hi'& I a' the -ordA GAnd he shall ta!e a ife in her virginityA I0A ido ( or a divorced o'an( or profane( or a harlot( these shall he not ta!e& but he shall ta!e a virgin of his o n people to ifeA I(37either shall he profane his seed a'ong his people& for I the -ord do sanctify hi'A Since >ehovah reputedly designed the fe'ale anato'y( as an o'niscient deity( he certainly should have foreseen that the hy'en ould so'eti'es be co'pletely absent at birth or easily torn before having intercourse for the first ti'eA Therefore( to de'and the death penalty for loss of virginity based on the absence of a ruptured 'aidenhead reveals a bloodthirsty( vindictive attiItude to ard his o n creationA It is i'possible of course( to esti'ate ho 'any young fe'ale Israelites ere butchered and sacrificed on the altar of this unconscionable and senseless edictA "onsidering that the death penalty as exacted for loss of virginity( a curiIous variation on this the'e occurs in

204

the la A According to the edict( if a young lady loses her virginity in an outBofBtheB ay place( only her violator is subDect to the death penalty since even if she had called for help( she presu'ably ould not have been heardA If( on the other hand( her violation occurred in a location that ould have been ithin earshot of so'eone1s assistance( she is considered Dust as guilty as her attac!er and subDect to the sa'e fateA F#euterono'y @@&@`B@D +3But if a 'an find a betrothed da'sel in the field( and the 'an force her( and lie ith her& then the 'an only that lay ith her shall die& +5but unto the da'sel thou shalt do nothing& there is in the da'sel no sin orthy of death& for as hen a 'an riseth against his neighbor( and slayeth hi'( even so is this 'atter&+ for he found her in the field( and the betrothed da'sel cried( and there as none to save herA In su''ary( both the la s regarding adultery and those dealing ith virIginity should be considered as the Israelite1s concept of property rightsA Rather than being strictly 'oral issues( they ere 'ore a Ouestion of respect for another 'an1s property so that an unfaithful ife or a pro'iscuous daughter as si'ply secondhand 'erchandise of less value to the husband or father( respectivelyA %0+ SlDeFBatoteb Si5fe 1 F\"&

"hapter 38 >ephthah 2ffers ,is #aughter To >ehovah As A ,u'an

Sacrifice

205

A4TER >EP,T,A, T,E BASTAR# R2SE T2 A P2SITI27 24 <REAT pro'inence in Israel( he vo ed to >ehovah that if he ould give hi' victory over the A''onites( upon his return( he ould offer the first thing that ould co'e out of his house as a sacrifice to >ehovahA FllbcDeS %%&+;B3% +Then the Spirit of the -ord ca'e upon >ephthah( and he passed over <il1eBad( and )anasseh( and passed over )i@peh of <il1eBad( and fro' )i@peh of <il1eBad he passed over unto the children of A''onA 3$And >ephthah vo ed a vo unto the -ord( and said( If thou shalt ithout fail deliver the children of A''on into 'ine hands( 3Ithen it shall be( that hatIsoever co'eth forth of the doors of 'y house to 'eet 'e( hen I return in peace fro' the children of A''on( shall surely be the -ord1s( and I ill offer it up for a burnt offeringA ,e as victorious over the A''onites( and as he returned ho'e fro' battle( his daughter ca'e running out of the house to greet hi'A `ubgtS %%3+B30 3+So >ephthah passed over unto the children of A''on to fight against the'? and the -ord delivered the' into his handsA GAnd he s'ote the' fro' Aro1er( even till thou co'e to )innith( even t enty cities( and unto the plain of the vineyards( ith a very great slaughterA Thus the children of A''on ere subdued before the children of IsraelA 30And >ephthah ca'e to )i@peh unto his house( and( behold( his daughter ca'e out to 'eet hi' ith ti'brels and ith dances& and she as his only child? beside her he had neither son nor daughterA Since the young o'an as >ephthahs only child( he repented of the vo he had 'ade to >ehovahA `ubgtS %.33 And it ca'e to pass( hen he sa her( that he rent his clothes( and said( Alas( 'y daughterX thou hast

206

brought 'e very6 lo ( and thou art one of the' that trouble 'e& for I have opened 'y 'outh unto the -ord( and I cannot go bac!A "fDapt"TFirtyB"isfDt %03

*hen >ephthah revealed to his daughter that he had 'ade a pro'ise unto >ehovah( she insisted that he fulfill the covenant( but she as!ed for t o 'onths to roa' the 'ountains and to la'ent the fact that she ould never be able to 'arryA `/bgtS %%&35B36 35Andshe said unto hi'( )y father( if thou hast opened thy 'outh unto the -ord( do to 'e according to that hich hath proceeded out of thy 'outh? foras'uch as the -ord hath ta!en vengeance for thee of thine ene'ies( even of the children of A''onA 31And she said unto her father( -et this thing be done for 'e& let 'e alone t o 'onths( that I 'ay go up and do n upon the 'ountains( and be ail 'y virginity( I and 'y fello sA >ephthah agreed to her reOuestA At the end of the t oB'onth period( she returned and >ephthah then fulfilled his pro'ise to >ehovahA Thereafter( it beca'e the custo' in Israel to spend four days each year la'enting the fate of >ephthah1s daughterA 3ubaDeS %i&3SB0$ 38And he said( <oA And he sent her a ay for t o 'onths& and she ent ith her co'panions( and be ailed her virginity upon the 'ountainsA 3;And it ca'e to pass at the end of t o 'onths( that she returned unto her father( ho did ith her according to his vo hich he had vo ed& and she !ne no 'anA And it as a custo'

207

in Israel( GFthat the daughters of Israel ent yearly to la'ent the daughter of >ephthah the <il1eadite four days in a yearA This passage Oualifies as being one of the 'ost controversial in all the ,oly *ritA >ehovah put >ephthah to a test si'ilar to that de'anded of Abraha' hen he as as!ed to sacrifice his son Isaac( but at the last 'inute( >ehovah stayed Abraha's !nifeB ielding hand fro' !illing the boy and granted hi' a reprieve 9<enA ++&%H%;:A In the case of >ephthah s daughter( ho ever( there as no reprieveA But there is no dispute about the fact that >ephthah as not si'ilarly spared by >ehovahA The difference of opinion centers on hether or not >ephthah actually burned his daughter to death as a hu'an sacrifice to >ehovah or hether he 'erely consecrated her to >ehovah in a state of perpetual virginityA The consensus of Biblical scholars see's to be that >ephthah allo ed his daughter to live( but then insisted that she al ays re'ain a virginA As prestiIgious an authority as >osephus( ho ever( insists that she as burned to death by >ephthahA And if all Israel 'e'oriali@ed the fate of >ephthah s daughter on an annual basis( it hardly see's li!ely that they ere si'ply 'e'oriali@ing her being confined to a perpetual state of virginityA

"hapter 3; T,E 4E)A-E ,A7# T,AT 427#-ES S,A-- BE "/T 244

I4 *E "2/-# <2 BA". I7 A TI)E )A",I7E T2 T,E BIB-I"A- ERA and visit any one of the 'any nations surrounding Israel( and if e sa a handless o'an( e ould assu'e that( barring so'e type of birth defect( she

208

had 'et ith so'e sort of terrible accidentA 7ot so in IsraelX If e ere to see a handless fe'ale Israelite( e could rightly say( GAhaX *e !no

here your hand has been and

hy it as cut offG The inco'prehensibly bi@arre and sexist inDunction 'andated that if a o'an touched a 'an1s genBitalsHeven if she as trying to stifle the onslaught of an ene'y against her o n husbandHher hand ould be a'putatedA The extre'ely severe rule for fe'ales only provides still another exa'ple of the lo ly status of the fair sex in ,ebre culture and e'bodies one 'ore i'portant Biblical atch ord& *o'en( !eep your hands to yourselvesX #euterono'y +3&i%B%+ G*hen 'en strive together one ith another( and the ife of the one dra eth near for to deliver her husband out of the hand of hi' that s'iteth hi' and putteth forth her hand( and ta!eth hi' by the secrets& I+then thou shalt cut off her hand( thine eye shall not pity herA It is so be'using that the penalty should be so severe for a o'an ho touched a 'an1s genitals for( although a 'an1s generative organs ere sacrosanct( an Israelite ho as s earing an oath ould custo'arily sole'ni@e it by grasping the penis of the 'an to ho' he as 'a!ing the affir'ationA This GpenisBsha!eG or gropathon as al'ost as co''onplace as our 'odern handsha!eA *hen Abraha' anted to send his servant in search of a ife for his son Isaac( he 'ade hi' ta!e an oath by Gputting his hand under his thigh(G hich 'eans that the servant grasped Abraha'1s penis to sole'ni@e the oathA a3eneStS +0&%B; 1And Abraha' as old( and ell stric!en in age& and the -ord had blessed Abraha' in all thingsA

209

+And Abraha' said unto his eldest servant of his house( that ruled over ssssFFFFFFa "iDapterFfDirtaBFline %03

all that he had( Put( I pray thee( thy hand under 'y thigh& 3and I ill 'a!e thee s ear by the -ord( the <od of heaven( and the <od of the earth( that thou shaft not ta!e a ife unto 'y son of the daughters of the "anaanites( a'ong ho' I d ell& 0but thou shaft go unto 'y country( and to 'y !indred( and ta!e a ife unto 'y son IsaacA 3And the servant said unto hi'( Peradventure the o'an ill not be illing to follo 'e unto this land& 'ust I needs bring thy son again unto the land fro' hence thou earnestP 5And Abraha' said unto hi'( Be are thou that thou bring not 'y son thither againA The -ord <od of heaven( hich too! 'e fro' 'y father1s house( and fro' the land of 'y !indred( and hich spa!e unto 'e( and that s are unto 'e( saying( /nto thy seed ill I give this land? he shall send his angel before thee( and thou shalt ta!e a ife unto 'y son fro' thenceA 8And if the o'an ill not be illing to follo thee( then thou shalt be clear fro' this 'y oath& only bring not 'y son thither againA ;And the servant put his hand under the thigh of Abraha' his 'aster( and s are to hi' concerning that 'atterA The 7e Standard Bib! #ictionary in an article on G2athG on page 53$ says& GIn exceptional cases the hand 'ight

210

be placed under the thigh of the person i'posing the oath as a sign of regard for the 'ystery of generation( hose source as <odAG The Encyclopedia Biblica says& G1Thigh1 refers to the generative organAG 9ColA '( colA 3033( artA 2ath: It beco'es clear then that the 'an s earing an oath ould grasp the penis or the testicles or both of the other 'ale as part of the affir'ationA Before the death of Israel 9>acob:( he called his son >oseph to his deathbed( and as >oseph grasped his father1s penis( Israel 'ade his son pro'ise that he ould ta!e his re'ains out of Egypt and bury hi' in the land of his fathersA >oseph co'plied and thus sealed the oath to his fatherA 06B+;M3% +iAnd the ti'e dre nigh that Israel 'ust die& and he called his son >oseph( and said unto hi'( If no I have found grace in thy sight( put( I pray thee( thy hand under 'y thigh( and deal !indly and truly ith 'e? bury 'e not( I pray thee( in Egypt& G1Gbut I ill ,e ith 'y fathers( and thou shalt carry 'e out of Egypt( and bury 'e in their buryingplaceA And he said( I ill do as thou has saidA 3IAnd he said( S ear unto 'eA And he s are unto hi'A And Israel bo ed hi'self upon the bed1s headA %05 FfDeFBFateb St5fe

[(BL BHAsA ^P A AJcF CvBB An interesting account of this practice on a holesale basis occurs in the account of the coronation of Solo'on as

211

!ing of all IsraelA I "fDronicfes +;&+0 A nd all the princes( and the 'ighty 'en( and all the sons li!e ise of !ing #avid( sub'itted the'selves unto Solo'on the !ingA This veiled reference to the GpenisBsha!eG could 'uch 'ore accurately be translated& GAnd all the princes( and the 'ighty 'en( and all the sons li!e ise of !ing #avid( grasped Solo'ons penis and s ore an oathAG The scene preIsents us ith the spectacle of a lineup of the 'ighty 'en of the !ingdo' a aiting their turn to participate in the royal GpenisBsha!eG ith Solo'onA After the death of Solo'on( the elders of Israel ca'e to Rehoboa'( Solo'ons son( to reOuest that he lighten the burdens on the'A Rehoboa'1s reply as& I .ings %+&%$ And the young 'en that ere gro n up ith hi' spa!e unto hi' saying( Thus shalt thou spea! unto this peoIple that spa!e unto thee( saying( Thy father 'ade our yo!e heavy( but 'a!e thou it lighter( unto us? thus shalt thou say unto the'( )y little finger shall be thic!er than 'y father1s loinsA In 'odern English( he as really saying( GQou ill feel 'y little finger 'ore heavily upon you than 'y fathers penisXG This custo' of grasping the 'ale genitals hen s earing a sole'n oath reputedly survives to this day a'ong the R ala Bedouins in the Syrian #esertA In English( both our ords GtestifyG and Gtesta'entG are linguistically related to this Ouaint custo' of s earing an oathA

212

"hapter 0$ T o )aDor *ifeB.idnapping Expeditions

A4TER T,E BARBARI" RAPE A7# )/R#ER 24 T,E -ECITE1S concubineB ife 9see "hapter %5:( the tribe of BenDa'in had been virtually obliteratedA The fe hundred BenDa'inites ho re'ained ere in need of ives( but the other tribes of Israel had considered BenDa'in to be an accursed tribe and they ere all refusing to let any of their daughters 'arry any of the BenDa'initesA "fDapter `ort(y %06 =/2">"S +% A1% 7o the 'en of Israel had s orn in )i@peh( saying( There shall not any of us give his daughter unto BenDa'in to ifeA At a council 'eeting of the t elve tribes of Israel( one tribe had failed to send any representativesHthe tribe of >abeshBgileadA Therefore( in trueBtoBfor' reaction to this blatant breach of the ,ebre la ( the entire tribe of >abeshBgilead as conde'ned to deathA 3ltaXeeS +%&+B; +And the people ca'e to the house of <od( and abode there till even before <od( and lifted up their voices( and ept sore? 3and said( 2 -ord <od of Israel( hy is this co'e to pass in Israel( that there should be today one tribe lac!ing in IsraelP 0And it ca'e to pass on the 'orro ( that the people rose early( and built there an altar( and offered burnt offerings and peace offeringsA GAnd the children of Israel said( *ho is there a'ong all the tribes of Israel that ca'e not up ith the congreBgation unto the -ordP 4or they had 'ade a great oath concerning hi' that ca'e not up to the -ord to )i@peh( saying( ,e shall surely be put to deathA 5And the children

213

of Israel repented the' for BenDa'in their brother( and said( There is one tribe cut off fro' Israel this dayA ,o shall e do for ives for the' that re'ain( seeing e have s orn by the -ord( that e ill not give the' of our daughters to ivesP 8And they said( *hat one is there of the tribes of Israel that ca'e not up to )i@peh to the -ordP And( behold( there ca'e none to the ca'p fro' >a1beshBgil1eBad to the asse'blyA Tor the people ere nu'bered( and( behold( there ere none of the inhabitants of >a1beshBgil1eBad thereA T elve thousand soldiers ere sent against this tribe and they follo ed the usual pattern of slaying all the 'ales and all the fe'ales ho ere not virginsA In this instance( they even sle all the children( both 'ale and fe'ale( and spared only the virgins of 'arriageable ageA +CA$M %% I$And the congregation sent thither t elve thousand 'en of the valiantest( and co''anded the'( saying( <o and s'ite the inhabitants of >a1beshBgil1eBad ith the edge of the s ord( ith the o'en and the childrenA GAnd this is the thing that ye shall do( Qe shall utterly destroy ever:1 'ale( and every o'an that hath lain by 'anA %08 FfDeFBFateb 3)59e The total bounty fro' this foray and 'assacre as four hundred virgins( and all four hundred ere sent to the BenDa'inites as a peace and good ill offering so that they ould no have ives to 'arryA The four hundred

214

young o'en( ho ever( ere not Ouite enough to provide ives for all the BenDa'initesA `Nlbg"S +%%%+B%3 I+And they found a'ong the inhabitants of >a1beshBgiTeBad four hundred young virgins( that had !no n no 'an by lying ith any 'ale& and they brought the' unto the ca'p to Shiloh( hich is in the land of "anaanA I3And the hole conIgregation sent so'e to spea! to the children of BenDa'in that ere in the roc! Ri''on( and to call peaceably unto the'A GAnd BenDa'in ca'e again at that ti'e? and they gave the' ives hich thev had saved alive of the o'en of >a1beshBgil1eBad? and yet so they sufficed the' notA l3And the people repented the' for BenDa'in( because that the -ord had 'ade a breach in the tribes of IsraelA The council of the t elve tribes reconvened and tried to decide ho they could provide ives for the re'aining un'arried BenDarninites ithout allo ing any of their daughters to 'arry the' and ithout destroying still another tribe of IsraelA 3ubaeeS +%X %5B%8 GThen the elders of the congregation said( ,o shall e do for ives for the' that re'ain( seeing the o'en are destroyed out of BenDa'inP - And they said( There 'ust be an inheritance for the' that be escaped of BenDa'in( that a tribe be not destroyed out of IsraelA %3,o beit e 'ay not give the' ives of our daughters& for the children of Israel have s orn( saying( "ursed be he that giveth a ife to BenDa'inA A second expedition as then planned to !idnap prospective ives fro' a'ong the o'en of Shiloh ho ere dancing in the vineyards as part of hat as probably a delightful country festivalA Any co'plaining fathers or

215

brothers had to accept the explanation that this as si'ply an alternate plan rather than destroying still another tribe of Israel or allo ing any daughters to illingly 'arry a BenDa'initeA Fllbg"S TN1AFB++ &1Then they said( Behold( there is a feast of the -ord in Shiloh yearly( in a place hich is on the north side of GB BAGB GBM BM G ( rG r(1(A MK "fDapter >orty %0;

BethBel( on the east side of the high ay that goeth up fro' Bethel to Sheche'( and on the south of -ebo1nahA +$Therefore they co'I'anded the children of BenDa'in( saying( <o and lie in ait in the vineyards? +Iand see( and( behold( if the daughters of Shiloh co'e out to dance in dances( then co'e ye out of the vineyards( and catch you every 'an his ife of the daughters of Shiloh( and go to the land of BenDa'inA ++And it shall be( hen their fathers or their brethren co'e unto us to co'plain( that e ill say unto the'( Be favorable unto the' for our sa!es& because e reserved not to each 'an his ife in the ar& for ye did not give unto the' at this ti'e( that ye should be guiltyA The !idnapping plan as executed as conceived( although the nu'ber of virgins ho ere thus abducted is not revealedA 3ubaDeS +%&+3B+3 +3And the child ren of BenDa'in did so( and too! the' ives( according to their nu'ber( of the' that danced( ho' they caught& and they ent and returned unto their inheritance( and repaired the cities( and d elt in the'A +0And the children of Israel departed thence at that ti'e( every 'an to his tribe and to his fa'ily( and they ent out fro' thence every 'an to his inheritanceA +3In those days there as no !ing in Israel& every 'an did that hich as right in his o n eyesA

216

"hapter 0% Cirgins As Spoils 2f *ar

>E,2CA, <ACE )2SES SPE"I4I" I7STR/"TI27S T2 RETA-IATE against the )idianites for their having led the children of Israel into participation in pagan fertility rites 9see "hapter +%:A )oses1 response as to send a 'assive ar'y of %+($$$ arriors against the )idianitesA After a total victory against the ene'y( the Israelites brought all the spoils of ar including the captives into the Israelite ca'pA )oses as enraged hen he sa that the )idianite o'en and children had been allo ed to be ta!en as prisoners of arA ,e then gave the co''and to slay all the 'ale children and any o'en ho ere not virginsA The total haul of virgins as an extraordinary 3+($$$X 3%,H%$ XAnd the -ord spa!e unto )oses( saying( +Avenge the children of Israel of the )id1ianites& after ard shalt %3$ FfDeF"BFateb Si5fe I 6MM M ?TBA( M PSiSF6P [ (

thou be gathered unto thy peopleA 3And )oses spa!e unto the people( saying( Ar' so'e of yourselves unto the ar( and let the' go against the )id1ianites( and avenge the -ord of )id1ianA 02f every tribe a thousand( throughout all the tribes of Israel( shall ye send to the arA FSo there ere delivered out of the thousands of Israel( a thousand of every tribe( t elve thousand ar'ed for arA 5And )oses sent the' to the ar( a thousand of every tribe( the' and PhiheBhas the son of EleBa1@ar the priest( to the ar( ith the holy instru'ents( and the tru'pets to

217

blo in his handA 6And they arred against the )id1ianites( as the -ord co''anded )oses? and they sle all the 'alesA 8And they sle the !ings of )id1ian( beside the rest of the' that ere slain? na'ely( Evi( and Re!e'( and Zur( and ,ur( and Reba( five !ings of )id1ian& Balaa' also the son of Be1or they sle ith the s ordA ;And the

children of Israel too! all the o'en of )id1iBan captives( and their little ones( and too! the spoil of all their cattle( and all their floc!s( and all their goodsA I$And they burnt all their cities herein they d elt( and all their goodly castles( ith fireA =ftu'5ers 3%3+B33 3+And the booty( being the rest of the prey hich the 'en of ar had caught( as six hundred thousand and seventy thousand and five thousand sheep( 33and threescore and t elve thousand beeves( 30and threescore and one thousand asses( 3^and thirty and t o thousand persons in all( of o'en that had not !no n 'an by lying ith hi'A If the anton execution of 'ale children and of o'en ho ere not virgins see's a bit extre'e( there ere t o explicit edicts fro' >ehovah authori@ing such carnage& #euterono'y +$&%$B%8 I$ hen thou co'es nigh unto a city to fight against it( then proclai' peace unto itA GAnd it shall be( if it 'a!e thee ans er of peace( and open unto thee( then it shall be( that all the people that is found therein shall be tributaries unto thee( and they shall serve theeA I+And if it ill 'a!e no peace ith thee( but ill 'a!e ar against thee( then thou shalt besiege it Ioand hen the -ord thy <od hath delivered it into thine hands( thou shalt s'ite every 'ale thereof ith the edge of the

218

s ord& Gbut the o'en( and the little ones( and the cattle( and all that is in the city( even all the spoil thereof( shalt thou ta!e unto thyself? FsFWi1F1FFFFFtSiSBFFFFFiSFWFsSFWA "fDctpter >ortyBa#ne %3%

and thou shalt eat the spoil of thine ene'ies( hich the -ord thy <od hath given theeA l3Thus shalt thou do unto all the cities hich are very far off fro' thee( hich are not of the cities of these nationsA I5But of the cities of these people( hich the -ord thy <od doth give thee for an inheritance( thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth& 1but thou shalt utterly destroy the'? na'ely( the ,ittites( and the A'orites( the "anaanites( and the Per1i@@ites( the ,ivites( and the >eb1usites? as the -ord thy <od hath co''anded thee& I8that they teach you not to do after all their abo'inations( hich they have done unto their gods? so should ye sin against the -ord your <odA `:att2&$n$rny +%&%$B, I$*hen thou goest forth to ar against thine ene'ies( and the -ord thy <od hath delivered the' into thine hands( and thou hast ta!en the' captive( Gand seest a'ong the captives a beautiful o'an( and hast a desire unto her( that thou ouldest have her to thy ife? I+then thou shalt bring her ho'e to thine house? and she shall shave her head( and pare her nails? l&(and she shall put the rai'ent of her captivity fro' off her( and shall re'ain in thine house( and be ail her father and her 'other a full 'onth& and after that thou shalt go in unto her( and be her husband( and she shall be thy ifeA GAnd it shall be( if thou have no delight in her( then thou shalt let

219

her go hither she ill? but thou shalt not sell her at all for 'oney( thou shalt not 'a!e 'erchandise of her( because thou hast hu'bled herA In an unusual display of 'ercy( >ehovah decreed that once a 'an divested hi'self of a o'an captured in ar( he could not sell her as a slaveA Even >ehovah recogni@ed the fact that secondhand 'erchandise had little resale valueX In addition to >ehovah1s procla'ations concerning virgins as prisoners of ar( he also indicated that the Israelites ere free to ravish the ives of any defeated ene'iesA ctecttotfD %3&%%B%5 %% And I ill punish the orld for their evil( and the ic!ed for their iniOuity? and I ill cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease( and ill lay lo the haughtiness of the terribleA I+I ill 'a!e a 'an 'ore precious than fine gold? even a 'an than the golden edge of 2phirA GTherefore I ill sha!e the heavens( and the earth shall re'ove out of her place( in the rath !\+ BefDeFBFateo Stole FiFF'FWFFiSie)F))FSB' of the -ord of hosts( and in the day of his fierce angerA GAnd it shall be as the chased roe( and as a sheep that no 'an ta!eth up& they shall every 'an turn to his o n people( and flee every one into his o n landA GEvery one that is found shall be thrust through? and every one that is Doined unto the' shall fall by the s ordA 1Their children also shall be dashed to pieces before their eyes? their houses shall be spoiled( and their ives ravishedA

220

>ehovah arned Israel in no uncertain ter's that their ives ould be given to others for sexual pleasure if they ere to continue to be disobedient and hard of heartA #euterono'y +8&+8B3$ +The -ord shall s'ite thee ith 'adness( and blindness( and astonish'ent of heart& +;and thou shalt grope at noonday( as the blind gropeth in dar!ness( and thou shalt not prosper in thy ays& and thou shalt be only oppressed and spoiled ever'ore( and no 'an shall save theeA 3$Thou shalt betroth a ife( and another 'an shall lie ith her& thou shalt build a house( and thou shalt not d ell therein& thou shalt plant a vineIyard( and shalt not gather the grapes thereofA Fererra"tfD 5&%%B%0 GTherefore I a' full of the fury of the -ord? I a' eary ith holding in& I ill pour it out upon the chilIdren abroad( and upon the asse'bly of young 'en together& for even the husband ith the ife shall be ta!en( the aged ith hi' that is full of daysA I+And their houses shall be turned unto others( ith their fields and ives together& for I ill stretch out 'y hand upon the inhabitants of the land( saith the -ordA G4or fro' the least of the' even unto the greatest of the' every one is given to covetousness? and fro' the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falselyA 10They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of 'y people slightly( saying( Peace( peace? hen there is no peaceA H%% [,o do ye say( *e are ise( and the la of the -ord is ith usP -o( certainly in vain 'ade he it& the pen of the scribes is in vainA The ise 'en are asha'ed( they are disI'ayed and ta!en& lo( they have reDected the ord of the

221

-ord? and hat isdo' is in the'P 1Therefore ill I give their ives unto others( and their fields to the' that shall inherit the'& for every one fro' the least even unto the greatest is given to covetousness( as[^aD)s[[Vfi[.gFfe5F "rDapter DortyB2ne %33 fro' the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falselyA G4or they have healed the hurt of the daughter of 'y people slightly( saying( Peace( peace? hen there is no peaceA FectDartatU %0&%B+ 1Beh old( the day of the -ord co'eth( and thy spoil shall be divided in the 'idst of theeA Tor I ill gather all nations against >erusale' to battle? and the city shall be ta!en( and the houses rifled( and the o'en ravished? and half of the city shall go forth into captivity( and the residue of the people shall not be cut off fro' the citvA

"hapter 0+ *o'an *as )ade 4or )an

I7 T,E 4IRST ",APTER( I )E7TI27E# T,E T*2 #E"I#E#-Q contradictory chronicles of the creation fable in <enesisA In the first account( 'an and o'an are created si'ultaneously? in the second version( Eve is for'ed fro' one of Ada'1s ribsA Paul chose to reDect the earlier narrative and to capitali@e on the portrayal hich put o'an in an inferior role to that of 'anA If ever there ere an explanation of o'an1s inferior status in 2ccidental society( it is in the ScripturesA Paul delineates the i'portance of o'an recIogni@ing her GplaceG ad nausea'A I "ortntfDianS ,A3BI+ 3But I ould have you !no ( that the head of every 'an is "hrist? and the head of the o'an is the 'an? and the head of "hrist is <odA 0Every 'an praying or prophesying( having his head covered( dishonoreth

222

his headA #But every o'an that praveth or prophesieth ith her head uncovered dishonoreth her head& for that is even all one as if she ere shavenA Tor if the o'an be not covered( let her also be shorn? but if it be a sha'e for a o'an to be shorn or shaven( let her be coveredA Tor a 'an indeed ought not to cover his head( foras'uch as he is the i'age and glory of <od& but the o'an is the glory of the 'anA Tor the 'an is not of the o'an? but the o'an of the 'anA ;7either as the 'an created for the o'an& but the o'an for the 'anA 1Tor this cause ought the o'an to have po er on her head because of the angelsA G7evertheless neither is the 'an ithout the o'an( neither the o'an ithout the 'an( in the -ordA 1Tor as the o'an is of the 'an( even so is the 'an also by the o'an? but all things of <odA %30 FfDeFBFateb 3)5fe HNFi 8I ill therefore that 'en pray every here( lifting up holy hands( ithout rath and doubtingA ;In li!e 'anner also that o'en adorn the'selves in 'odest apparel( ith sha'eB facedness and sobriety? not ith braided hair( or gold( or pearls( or costly array? %$but 9 hich beco'eth o'en professing godliness: ith good or!sA G-et the o'an learn in silence ith all subDectionA l+But I suffer not a o'an to teach( nor to usurp authority over the 'an( but to be in silenceA G4or Ada' as first for'ed( then EveA I0And Ada' as not deceived( but the o'an being deceived as in the transgressionA 1F7ot ithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing( if

223

they continue in faith and charity and holiness ith sobrietyA I F:eter 3&%B6 li!e ise( ye ives( be in subDection to your o n husbands? that( if any obey not the ord( they also 'ay ithIout the ord be on by the conversation of the ives? + hile they behold your chaste conversation coupled ith fearA 3*hose adorning( let it not be that out ard adorning of plaiting the hair( and of earing of gold( or of putting on of apparel? 0but let it be the hidden 'an of the heart( in that hich is not corruptible( even the orna'ent of a 'ee! and Ouiet spirit( hich is in the sight of <od of great priceA G4or after this 'anner in the old ti'e the holy o'en also( ho trusted in <od( adorned the'selves( being in subDection unto their o n husbands& 5even as Sarah obeyed Abraha'( calling hi' lord& hose daughters ye are( as long as ye do ell( and are not afraid ith any a'a@e'entA -i!e ise( ye husIbands( d ell ith the' according to !no ledge( giving honor unto the ife( as unto the ea!er vessel( and as being heirs together of the grace of life? that your prayers be not hinderedA I "orinthians %0&30B35 30-et your o'en !eep silence in the churches& for it is not per'itted unto the' to spea!? but they are co''anded to be under obedience( as also saith the la A 33And if thev ill learn any thing( let the' as! their husbands at ho'e? for it is a sha'e for o'en to spea! in the churchA 35*hatX ca'e the ord of <od out fro' youP or ca'e it unto you onlyP ives( sub'it yourselves unto your o n husbands( as unto the -ordA M34or the husband is the head of the ife( even

224

as "hrist is the head of the church? and he is the 1r GGGT R GS-G F R R "fDapter `ortyBa3tt\o

%33

saviour of the bodyA GGTherefore as the church is subDect unto "hrist( so let the ives be to their o n husbands in every thingA +^,usbands( love your ives( even as "hrist also loved the church( and gave hi'self for it? +5that he 'ight sanctify and cleanse it ith the ashing of ater by the ord( +that he 'ight present it to hi'self a glorious church( not having spot( or rin!le( or any such thing? but that it should be holy and ithout ble'ishA +8So ought 'en to love their ives as their o n bodiesA ,e that loveth his ife loveth hi'selfA +;4or no 'an ever yet hated his o n flesh? but nourBisheth and cherisheth it( even as the -ord the church& 3$for e are 'e'bers of his body( of his flesh( and of his bonesA 3I4or this cause shall a 'an leave his father and 'other( and shall be Doined unto his ife( and they t o shall be one fleshA 3+This is a great 'ysItery& but I spea! concerning "hrist and the churchA F7evertheless( let every one of you in particular so love his ife even as hi'self and the ife see that she reverence her husbandA "$f$`3tanS 3&%8B%; I8*ives( sub'it yourselves unto your o n husbands( as it is fit in the -ordA G,usbands( love your ives( and be not bitter against the'A )uch of hat has already been ritten here indicates that the ,ebre culture as a patriarchal hierarchy par

225

excellence and that o'en ere 'erely valuable as propertyA -oss of virginity and acts of adultery ere thus interIpreted in light of the 'erchandise no longer having its for'er valueA 4or that reason it as an affront to the fe'ales father in the case of violating her virIginity and the o'an1s husband in the case of co''itting adulteryH econo'ics( pure( plain and si'pleA >ust a fe Ouotations fro' the 2ld Testa'ent ill suffice to illustrate the pointA A husband as encouraged to fondle his ife and to exercise 'arital rights in particular ith her boso'A Fr$t\er5s 3&%8B%; I8-et thy fountain be blessed& and reDoice ith the ife of thy youthA G-et her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe? let her breasts satisfy thee at all ti'es? and be thou ravished al ays ith her loveA Instant divorce as available to a 'an ho as displeased ith his ifeA ,o ever( if a ife as displeased ith her husband( she had no such option %35 FeFBFateb 3i5fc SSSSFiiSiFiiiiiS) to send hi' a ay or si'ply to ta!e leave of hi'A Qet an unhappy husband as free to get rid of an un anted ifeA #euterono'y +0&%B0 & h en a 'an hath ta!en a ife( and 'arried her( and it co'e to pass that she find no favor in his eyes( because he hath found so'e uncleanness in her& then let hi' rite her a bill of divorce'ent( and give it in her hand( and send her out of his houseA +And hen she is departed out of his house( she 'ay go and be another 'an1s ifeA And if the latter husband hate her( and rite her a bill of divorce'ent( and giveth it in her hand( and sendeth her out of his house? or if the latter husband die( hich too! her to be his ife? 0her for'er husband( hich sent her a ay( 'ay not ta!e her again to be his

226

ifeA An Israelite in financial straits as free to sell his daughter as a slaveA It ould have been unthin!able for hi' to have sold his son into slaveryA "R2"/S +%6B, And if a 'an sell his daughter to be a 'aidBservant( she shall not go out as the 'enservants doA 8If she please not her 'aster( ho hath betrothed her to hi'self( then shall he let her be redee'ed& to sell her unto a strange nation he shall have no po er( seeing he hath dealt deceitfully ith herA 1And if he have betrothed her unto his son( he shall deal ith her after the 'anner of daughtersA I$If he ta!e hi' another ife( her food( her rai'ent( and her duty of 'arriage( shall he not di'inishA GAnd if he do not these three unto her( then shall she go out free ithout 'oneyA A 'an ho violated a fe'ale slave as forgiven for the act provided that she had not as yet been given her freedo'A DE'tl"/S %;&+$B++ +$And hosoever lieth carnally ith a o'an( that is a bond'aid( betrothed to a husband( and not at all redee'ed( nor freedo' given her? she shall be scourged& they shall not be put to death( because she as not freeA +IAnd he shall bring his trespass offering unto the -ord( unto the door of the tabernaIcle of the congregation( even a ra' for a trespass offeringA ++And the priest shall 'a!e an atone'ent for hi' ith the ra' of the trespass offering before the -ord for his sin hich he hath done& and the sin hich he hath done shall be

227

forgiven hi'A FiW'FiiFiFWFAi)FiFFi)WS)iBi "hapter frortyB o

%36

The 'ost revealing custo' relegating all o'en to second class citi@enIship as 'arriage( for it as al'ost invariably arranged by parentsA If the son occasionally had so'e say in the 'atter( the daughter al'ost never didA In <enesis +0( the 'arriage arrange'ent bet een Isaac and Rebe!ah is retold very touchingly and si'plyA Isaacs father( Abraha'( had sent his ste ard to see! Rebe!ah1s handA She had never seen Isaac( but didn1t hesitate to reply to the e'issaryA 5eneSiS +0&38 And they called Rebe!ah( and said unto her( *ilt thou go ith this 'anP And she said( I ill goA Rebe!ah acco'panied the ste ard to the ho'e of Abraha' and as greeted by Isaac ho as 'editating in the fields as they arrivedA They asted no ti'e in consu''ating their prearranged unionA 9SotestS +0&50B56 )And Rebe!ah lifted up her eyes( and hen she sa Isaac( she lighted off the ca'elA fo4or she had said unto the servant( *hat 'an is this that al!eth in the field to 'eet usP And the servant had said( It is 'y 'aster? therefore she too! a vail( and covered herselfA 55And the servant told Isaac all things that he had doneA51And Isaac brought her into his 'other Sarah1s tent( and too! Rebe!ah( and she beca'e his ife? and he loved her& and Isaac as co'forted after his 'others deathA 4ro' such Ouaint custo's e'erged the lo ly status of o'en reinforced rather than di'inished in the 7e Testa'ent and on into our o n ageA Along the ay there as help fro' the early church fathers li!e Tertullian ho

228

declared& Qou are the devil1s gate ay& Qou are the unsealer of that forbidden tree& Qou are the first deserter of the divine la & Qou are she ho persuaded hi' ho' the devil as not valiant enough to attac!A Qou destroyed so easily <od1s i'age( 'anA 2n account of your desertHthat is( deathHeven the Son of <od had to dieA *ith very good reason( then( A'ericas great suffragist( Eli@abeth "ady Stanton had this to say& GThe Bible and the "hurch have been the greatest stu'bling bloc!s in the ay of o'en1s e'ancipationAG %38 SfeeL`BWateb St59e SFBSFFFFFFFFFFFFFffi To this very day( 'ale 2rthodox >e s recite this prayer of than!sgiving fro' the Tal'ud& GBlessed art Thou( 2 -ord <od( .ing of the universe( ho hast not 'ade 'e a o'anAG The notion that o'en are subservient to 'en for's a co''on lin! a'ong Isla'( >udais' and funda'entalist "hristianityA The batteredB ife syndro'e of spousal abuse is 'uch higher in these three groups than in the general population because religious Gtrue believersG preach violence against o'enA In a 'eticulously researched and docu'ented article G/nholy )atri'ony& *hy Bible Beaters Beco'e *ife Beaters(G riter -isa "ollier "ool reports in the )arch( %;;3 issue of Penthouse that( sad to say( the husIbands feel entitled to brutali@e their sub'issive ives and the victi's have internali@ed the 'yth that they deserve this !ind of treat'ent( Re'e'ber( the Bible tells us soX *) "fDapter >ortyBF o %3;

229

Part %+ Scatology( Bestiality and "astration

"hapter FcrtyBFree >E,2CA,1S A7A- 4ETIS, i5i "hapter FortyBFour 42RBI##E7 I7TI)A"IES *IT, A7I)A-S %5; "fDapter FortiDBFioc SE-4B"ASTRATI27( T,E S/PRE)E SEX/A- SA"RI4I"E

"hapter 03 >ehovah1s Anal 4etish

IT IS 72T T22 S/RPRISI7< T,AT ECE7 "2PR2P,I-IA IS I7"-/#E# in the Biblical repertory of sex practicesA *hat is surprising( ho ever( is that the principal scatological references involve >ehovah hi'selfX *hen Israel as in bondage in Egypt( >ehovah sent nu'erous varieties of pestilence to tor'ent Pharaoh into relenting and finally letting his captives goA *hen Israel as rebellious( >ehovah threatened the' ith a ne type of plague& Ge'erodsG or in todays parlance Ghe'orrhoidsAG Fe/ter2rt2'y +8&+6 The -ord ill s'ite thee ith the botch of Egypt( and ith the e'erods( and ith the scab( and ith the itch( hereof thou canst not be healedA >ehovah actually did send e'erods or he'orrhoids as a plague to 'a!e the ene'y suffer and they ere inflicted Gin their secret partsG hich is to say Gin their anusAG

230

I Sa'iief 3&5B%+ 5But the hand of the -ord as heavy upon the' of Ashdod( and he destroyed the'( and s'ote the' ith e'erods( even Ashdod and the coasts thereofA And hen the 'en of Ashdod sa that it as so( they said( The ar! of the <od of Israel shall not abide ith us& for his hand is sore upon us( and upon #agon our godA 3They sent therefore and gathered all the lords of the Philistines unto the'( and said( *hat shall e do ith the ar! of the <od of IsraelP And they ans ered( -et the ar! of the <od of Israel be carried about unto <athA And they carried the ar! of the <od of Israel about thitherA ;And it as so( that after they had carried it about( the hand of the -ord as against the city ith a very great destruction& and he s'ote the 'en of the city( both s'all and great( and they had e'erods in their secret partsA GTherefore they sent the ar! of <od to E!ronA And it ca'e to pass( as the ar! of <od ca'e to E!ron( that the E!ronites cried out( saying( They have brought about the ar! of the <od of Israel to us( to slay us and our peopleA GSo they sent and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines( and said( Send a ay the ar! of the <od of Israel( and let it go again to his o n place( that it slay us not( and our people& for there as a deadly destruction 6A 1fGBG1BG1BC B"yCFCCFBAFFFCIvTFG "fDapter >ortyB1WfDree %5%

throughout all the city? the hand of <od as very heavy thereA I+And the 'en that died not ere s'itten ith the e'erods& and the cry of the city ent up to heavenA

231

The Philistines ere illing to do anything to have the plague re'oved( and it as revealed to the' that they should return the ar!( but that they should not return it ithout an offering to acco'pany itA As a trespass offering( they ere able to 'a!e golden i'ages of the 'ice and of the he'orrhoids hich had been inflicted in the plagueA Coltaire( that inco'parable it( referred to these golden he'orrhoids as Ggolden anusesAG I Sa'uef5&%B%8 x And the ar! of the -ord as in the country of the Philistines seven 'onthsA +And the Philistines called for the priests and the diviners( saying( *hat shall e do to the ar! of the -ordP tell us here ith e shall send it to his placeA 3And they said( If ye send a ay the ar! of the <od of Israel( send it not e'pty? but in any ise return hi' a trespass offering& then ye shall be healed( and it shall be !no n to you hy his hand is not re'oved fro' youA 0Then said they( *hat shall be the trespass offering hich e shall return to hi'P They ans ered( 4ive golden e'erods( and five golden 'ice( according to the nu'ber of the lords of the Philistines& for one plague as on you all( and on your lordsA F*herefore ye shall 'a!e i'ages of your e'erods( and i'ages of your 'ice that 'ar the land? and ye shall give glory unto the <od of Israel& peradventure he ill lighten his hand fro' off you( and fro' off your gods( and fro' off your landA 5*herefore then do ye harden your hearts( as the Egyptians and Pharoah hardened their heartsP hen he had rought onderfully a'ong the'( did they not let the people go( and they departedP T)o therefore 'a!e a ne cart( and ta!e t o 'ilch !ine( on hich there hath co'e no yo!e( and tie

232

the !ine to the cart( and bring their calves ho'e fro' the'& 8and ta!e the ar! of the -ord( and lay it upon the cart? and put the De els of gold( hich ye return hi' for a trespass offering( in a coffer by the side thereof and send it a ay( that it 'ay goA 1And see( if it goeth up by the ay of his o n coast to BethBshe1'esh( then he hath done us this great evil& but if not( then e shall !no that it is not his hand that s'ote us? it as a chance that happened to usA I$And the( 'en did so? and too! t o 'ilch !ine( and tied the' to the cart( and shut up their calves at ho'e& Gand they laid the ar! of the -ord upon the cart( and the coffer ith the 'ice of gold and the i'ages of their e'erodsA &+And the !ine too! the straight ay to the ay of BethBshe1'esh( and %5+ SfDe?SBFateb 33i5fe f[FP0FMPA&FDrFFNG"FGF" ent along the high ay( lo ing as they ent( and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left? and the lords of the Philistines ent after the' unto the border of BethBshe1'eshA GAnd they of BethBshe1'esh ere reaping their heat harvest in the valley& and they lifted up their eyes( and sa the ar!( and reDoiced to see itA I0And the cart ca'e into the field of >oshua( a BethBshe1'ite( and stood there( here there as a great stone& and they clave the ood of the cart( and offered the !ine a burnt offering unto the -ordA I3And the -evites too! do n the ar! of the -ord( and the coffer that as ith it( herein the De els of gold ere( and put the' on the great stone& and the

233

'en of BethBshe1'esh offered burnt offerings and sacrificed sacrifices the sa'e day unto the -ordA I5And hen the five lords of the Philistines had seen it( they returned to E!ron the sa'e dayA I6And these are the golden e'erods hich the Philistines returned for a trespass offering unto the -ord? for Ashdod one( for <a@a one( for As1!elon one( for <ath one( for E!ron one? I8and the golden 'ice( according to the nu'ber of all the cities of the Philistines belonging to the five lords( both of fenced cities( and of country villages( even unto the great stone of Abel( hereon they set do n the ar! of the -ord& hich stone re'aineth unto this day in the field of >oshua( the BethBshe1'iteA 7o one as ever per'itted to loo! inside of the ar!( of courseA But so'e of the heathen ho ere not fa'iliar ith this prohibition did loo! insideA >ehovah s'ote the' and( according to the account in the .ing >a'es Cersion( 3$($6$ 'en died that day because of having loo!ed inside the ar!A ,o ever( 'ost Biblical critics concur that the 3$($$$ nu'ber as a 'ista!e hich as due to a scribal error and 'ost translators indicate( therefore( that only sevIenty 'en perished that dayA Perhaps this revised tally does portray >ehovah as being a little 'ore 'ercifulA I Sct'iief 5& %;H+% GAnd he s'ote the 'en of BethBshe1'esh( because they had loo!ed into the ar! of the -ord( even he s'ote of the people fifty thousand and threescore and ten 'en& and the people la'ented( because the -ord had s'itten 'any of the people ith a great slaughterA +$And the 'en of BethBshe1'esh said( *ho is able to

234

stand before this holy -ord <odP and to ho' shall he go up fro' usP +IAnd they sent 'essengers to the inhabitants of .ir1DathBDe1ari'( saying( The Philistines have brought again the ar! of the -ord? co'e ye do n( and fetch it up to youA >ehovah1s idea of conta'inating bread 'ust surely be a first for all ti'eA The bread is ba!ed ith hu'an excre'ent as fuel and then the Israelites are later to eat this defiled bread hen they 'ingle ith the <entilesA /pon hearing E@e!iel1s obDection to this defile'ent( >ehovah graciously substituted co 1s 'anure for hu'an fecesA 9E@efoef 0&%$B%6 I$And thy 'eat hich thou shalt eat shall be by eight( t enty she!els a day& fro' ti'e to ti'e shalt thou eat itA GThou shalt drin! also ater by 'easure( the sixth part of a hin& fro' ti'e to ti'e shalt thou drin!A I+And thou shalt eat it as barley ca!es( and thou shalt ba!e it ith dung that co'eth out of 'an( in their sight BAnd the -ord said( Even thus shall the children of Israel eat their denied bread a'ong the <entiles( hither I ill drive the'A GThen said I( Ah -ord <odX behold( 'y soul hath not been polluted& for fro' 'y youth up even till no have I not eaten of that hich dieth of itself( or is torn in pieces? neither ca'e there abo'inable flesh into 'y 'outhA 1Then he said unto 'e( -o( I have given thee co 1s dung for 'ans dung( and thou shalt prepare thy bread there ithA

235

G)oreover he said unto 'e( Son of 'an( behold( I ill brea! the staff of bread in >erusale'& and they shall eat bread by eight( and ith care? and they shall drin! ater by 'easure( and ith astonish'ent& I6that they 'ay ant bread and ater( and be astonished one ith another( and consu'e a ay for their iniOuityA Besides the conta'inated bread hich ould cause internal pollution( >ehovah also drea'ed up a 'ethod of external pollutionHs'earIing feces over the faces of the disobedient and rebellious IsraelitesA =ftoiadDt +&%B3 1And no ( 2 ye priests( 3 FT99 "2XX/X\t this co''and'ent is for youA +If ye ill not Vd aA aA ( AAr A%( ( J ( I !Dourseeo(ano near( and it ye ill not lay it to heart( to give F glory unto 'y na'e( saith the -ord of SpTv/2 2/Ii` hosts( I ill even send a curse upon you( uponyour facesG and I ill curse your blessings& yea( I have Fflftllipi)tuAA [f[ dBd B ddB[VdBB cursed the' already( because ye do not lay it to heartA >Behold( I ill corrupt your seed( and spread dung upon your faces( even the dung of your sole'n feasts? and one shall ta!e you a ay ith it %50 FeDJvBFateb BBi5fe MFFgFFFFSSFiF'FFFFFFFFisFFWF Perhaps the foregoing Ouotations hich reveal a deity ho is anally fixated ill explain hy( on )ount Sinai( >ehovah chose not to reveal his face to )oses( but rather allo ed )oses to see only his Gbac! partsAG 9Sybils 33&+$B+3 +$Andhe said( Thou canst not see 'y face& for there shall no 'an see 'e( and liveA +IAnd the -ord said( Behold( there is a place by 'e( and thou shalt stand upon a roc!& Gand it shall co'e to pass( hile 'y glory passeth by( that I ill put thee in a cleft of the roc!( and ill cover thee ith 'y hand hile I pass by& +3and I ill

236

ta!e a ay 'ine hand( and thou shalt see 'y bac! parts? but 'y face shall not be seenA A terrible fa'ine is described in the 2ld Testa'ent and during this fa'ine in Sa'aria( the people ere so desperate for food that they ate the feces of doves( hich ite' sold for five pieces of silver( or in today1s currency for about three dollars a pintA This sa'e passage describes an incident of cannibalis' a'ong the Sa'ariansHa son boiled alive by his 'other to provide foodA II Rings 5&+0B+; +0And it ca'e to pass after this( that BenBha1dad !ing of Syria gathered all his host( and ent up( and besieged Sa'ariaA +3And there as a great fa'ine in Sa'aria& and( behold( they besieged it( until an ass1s head as sold for fourscore pieces of silver( and the fourth part of a cab of dove1s dung for five pieces of silverA +5And as the !ing of Israel as passing by upon the all( there cried a o'an unto hi'( saying( ,elp( 'y lord( 2 !ingA+ And he said( If the -ord do not help thee( hence shall I help theeP out of the barnfloor( or out of the inepressP +8And the !ing said unto her( *hat aileth theeP And she ans ered( This o'an said unto 'e( <ive thy son( that e 'ay eat hi' today( and e ill eat 'y son to'orro A +;So e boiled 'y son( and did eat hi'& and I said unto her on the next day( <ive thy son( that e 'ay eat hi'& and she hath hid her sonA Several of the 2ld Testa'ent riters and prophets continue this scatologIical traditionA I Sc B'efB+3 &++ So and 'ore also do <od unto the ene'ies of #avid( if I leave of all that pertain to hi' by the 'orning light any that pisseth against the allA

237

"fDapter FortyBFfDree

%53

I Sa'ud 33&30 4or in very deed( as the -ord <od of Israel liveth( hich hath !ept 'e bac! fro' hurting thee( except thou hadst hasted and co'e to 'eet 'e( surely there had not been left unto 7abal by the 'orning light any that pisseth against the allA I )ngS %06B%$ 6<o( tell >erobo1a'( Thus saith the -ord <od of Israel( 4oras'uch as I exalted thee fro' a'ong the people( and 'ade thee prince over 'y people Israel( 8and rent the !ingIdo' a ay fro' the house of #avid( and gave it thee& and yet thou hast not been as 'y servant #avid( ho !ept 'y co'I'and'ents( and ho follo ed 'e ith all his heart( to do that only hich as right in 'ine eyes? ;but hast done evil above all that ere before thee& for thou hast gone and 'ade thee other gods( and 'olten i'ages( to provo!e 'e to anger( and hast cast 'e behind thy bac!& Gtherefore( behold( I ill bring evil upon the house of >erobo1a'( and ill cut off fro' >erobo1a' hi' that pisseth against the all( and hi' that is shut up and left in Israel( and ill ta!e a ay the re'nant of the house of >erobo1a'( as a 'an ta!eth a ay dung( till it be all goneA I mNngs %5&8 H%% sIn the t enty and sixth year of Asa !ing of >udah began Elah the son of Ba1asha to reign over Israel in Tir@ah( t o yearsA ;And his servant Zr'ri( captain of half his chariots( conspired against hi'( as he as in

238

Tir@ah( drin!ing hi'self drun! in the house of Ar@a ste ard of his house in Tir@ahA I$And Zi'ri ent in and s'ote hi'( and !illed hi'( in the t enty and seventh year of Asa !ing of >udah( and reigned in his steadA GAnd it ca'e to pass( hen he began to reign( as soon as he sat on his throne( that he sle all the house of Ba1asha& he left hi' not one that pisseth against a all( neither of his !insfol!( nor of his friendsA I `ings +%&+% ++A GBehold( I ill bring evil upon thee( and ill ta!e a ay thy posterity( and ill cut off fro' Ahab hi' that pisseth against the all( and hi' that is shut up and left in Israel( Gand ill 'a!e thine house li!e the house of >erobo1a' the son of 7ebat( and li!e the house of Ba1asha the son of AhiDah( for the provocation here ith thou hast provo!ed 'e to anger( and 'ade Israel to sinA ZfDefiBltXatcb Si5fc G R C JR II aRingS ;&SB%$ Tor the hole house of Ahab shall perish& and I ill cut off fro' Ahab hi' that pisseth against the all( and hi' that is shut up and left in Israel& ;and I ill 'a!e the house of Ahab li!e the house of >erobo1a' the son of 7ebat( and li!e the house of Ba1asha the son of AhiDah& I$and the dogs shall eat >e@ebel in the portion of >e@reel( and there shall be none to bury herA And he opened the door( and fledA II `Nng` lS&Z5BZ> +Then said Eli1a!i' the son of ,il!i1ah( and Shebna( and >o1ah( unto RabBsha1!eh( Spea!( I pray thee( to thy servants in the Syrian language? for e understand it& and tal! not ith us in the >e s1 language in the

239

ears of the people that are on the allA +6But RabBsha1!eh said unto the'( ,ath 'y 'aster sent 'e to thy 'aster( and to thee( to spea! these ordsP hath he not sent 'e to the 'en hich sit on the all( that they 'ay eat their o n dung( and drin! their o n piss ith youP =ftefDe'i"lfD +&%%B%3 nSo & ca'e to >erusale'( and as there three daysA I+And I arose in the night( I and so'e fe 'en ith 'e? neither told I any 'an hat 'y <od had put in 'y heart to do at >erusale'& neither as there any beast ith 'e( save the beast that I rode uponA I3And I ent out by night by the gate of the valley( even before the dragon ell( and to the dung port( and vie ed the alls of >erusale'( hich ere bro!en do n( and the gates thereof ere consu'ed ith fireA cfe"/"tfD 35&%%B%+ GThen said Eli1a!i' and Shebna and >o1ah unto RabBsha1!eh( Spea!( I pray thee( to thy servants in the Syrian language? for e understand it& and spea! not to us in the >e s1 language( in the ears of the people that are on the allA I+But RabBsha1!eh said( ,ath 'y 'aster sent 'e to thy 'aster and to thee to spea! these ordsP hath he not sent 'e to the 'en that sit upon the all( that they 'ay eat their o n dung( and drin! their o n piss ith vouP Fere'i"tfD 8&%B+ XAt that ti'e( saith the -ord( they shall bring out the bones of the !ings of >udah( and the bones of his princes( and the bones of the priests( and the bones of the prophets( and the bones of the inhabitants of >erusale'( out of their graves& +and thev shall spread the' before the sun( and the 'oon( and all the "fDapter >ortyB1S1fDree %56

240

host of heaven( ho' they have loved( and ho' they have served( and after ho' they have al!ed( and ho' they have sought( and ho' they have orshipped& they shall not be gathered( nor be buried? they shall be for dung upon the face of the earthA F"t'entatt2nS 0&3 They that did feed delicately are desolate in the streets? they that ere brought up in scarlet e'brace dunghillsA KafDu' 3&3B5 3Behoid( % a' against thee( saith the -ord of hosts? and I ill discover thy s!irts upon thy face( and I ill sho the nations thy na!edness( and the !ingdo's thy sha'eA 5And I ill cast abo'inable filth upon thee( and 'a!e thee vile( and ill set thee as a ga@ingstoc!A 2ne text even refers to intestinal gas passing in 'usical fashion fro' the bo els of the prophetA 1A* *herefore 'y bo els shall sound li!e a harp for )oab( and 'ine in ard parts for .irBha1reshA So'e of this coprophilic heritage spilled over into the 7e Testa'ent( for even Paul 'a!es a passing scatological referenceA Paul co'pared the things of this orld ith dung( but this indecorous phrase is translated in 'odern verIsions as si'ply Gless than nothingAG aty fDtdppians 3 6B%% 6But hat things ere gain to 'e( those I counted loss for "hrist( 8Qea doubtless( and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the !no ledge of "hrist >esus 'y -ord& for ho' I have suffered the loss of all things( and do count the' but dung( that I 'ay in "hrist( 1and be found in hi'( not having 'ine o n righteousness( hich is of the la ( but that hich is through the faith of "hrist( the righteousness hich is of <od by faith& I$that I 'ay !no hi'( and the po er of his resurrection( and the fello ship of his sufferings( being 'ade confor'able unto his death? uif by any 'eans I 'ight attain unto the resurrection of the deadA lee jDeFateb 3)59e F')W'ffW's'''Fs'

"hapter 00 4orbidden Inti'acies *ith Ani'als

T,R2/<,2/T RE"2R#E# ,IST2RQ( S2-ITARQ A7# IS2-ATE# shepherds have often been inclined to do 'uch 'ore than Dust tend their sheepA The disease syphilis got its na'e fro' the epony'ous shepherd boy ho reputedly as so inti'ate ith so'e of his floc! that he literally pulled their ool over 'ore than Dust his eyeballsA Sociologists and anthropologists assert that the severity of a la in a given culture directly relates to the

241

freOuency of the offenseA >udging by that 'axi'( bestiality 'ust have been Ouite prevalent in ancient Israel for it to Doin our gro ing list of sexual capital offenses and it gives us a hole ne slant on the 'eaning of ani'al husbandryA In .insey1s 'onu'ental study of sexual behavior in the hu'an 'ale( he concluded that bestiality is 'uch 'ore idespread a'ong rural 'ales than it is a'ong urban onesA ,o ever( he felt that ere city boys in as freOuent daily contact ith ani'als as far' boys are( the incidence of ani'al inti'acies ould be Ouite stable for the entire 'ale populationA Since Israel as a no'adic people( it is Ouite natural to expect that a lonely shepherd 'ight fall into the te'ptation of engaging in ani'al intercourseA *hat is surprising and unexpected( though( is the existence of explicit proIhibitions for fe'ales as ell as 'ales and Bible co''entators are at a loss to explain hyA 9ED"2=/S ++%%; *hosoever lieth ith a beast shall surely be put to deathA Antt2lS %8&+3 7either shalt thou lie ith any beast to defile thyself there ith& neither shall any o'an stand before a beast to lie do n thereto& it is confusionA Fe/ter2n2'y +6&+% "ursed be he that lieth ith any 'anner of beast and all the people shall say( A'enA *hat is particularly astonishing about the ,ebre conception of the seriousness of bestiality is that the la insisted not only on the death of the hu'an offender( but also on the death of the du'b ani'alA DEc2it!/S +$&%3B%5 I3And if a 'an lie ith a beast( he shall surely be put to death& and ye shall slay the beastA

242

I5And if a o'an approach unto any beast( and lie do n thereto( thou shalt !ill the o'an( and the beast& they shall surely be put to death? their blood shall be upon the'A In Sex -a s and "usto's in >udais'( -A )A Epstein gives a lucid if difficultBtoBaccept explanation for this 'istreat'ent of innocent ani'als( 9ppA %33H%30:& The Bible itself rules that the penalty for contact ith a beast is death both for the hu'an and the beastAAA the rabbis deduce that the death penalty intended AAA is that of stoning( provided the offender be of the age of 'aDorityA The ani'al( too( is !illed by stoning( provided the contact as ith a hu'an 'ale above nine years and a day( or a hu'an fe'ale above three years and a day( for belo that age 'ale and fe'ale respectively have no sexual status at allA The execution of the ani'al presents a 'oral proble' to the rabbis( especially hen the fe'ale ani'al is attac!ed by a hu'an 'ale( for the ani'al has not sinned( since it has no code of 'orality and particularly since it has been the passive obDect of a hu'an cri'eA They believe( ho ever( that the la is Dustified in executing the beast because it served as a tool for the do nfall of a hu'an being? 'ore so because the recollection of the cri'e and the hu'an cri'inal is focused on the beast( hose execution could cut 'e'ory shortA /nfortunately( there as no Biblical hu'ane society to intercede for the poor ani'alsX

"hapter 03 SelfB"astration( The Supre'e Sexual Sacrifice

3ftattfDeih %;&%+ 4or th ere are so'e eunuchs( hich ere so born fro' their 'other1s o'b& and there are so'e eunuchs( hich ere 'ade eunuchs of 'en& and there be eunuchs( hich have 'ade the'selves eunuchs for the !ingdo' of heaven1s sa!eA ,e that is able to receive it( let hi' receive it This Ouotation of "hrist1s is 'anifestly an endorse'ent of selfBcastration( but is greatly at variance ith the

243

,ebre la and explicitly counter'ands and contravenes the 2ld Testa'ent declaration& %6$ FfDeFB=Rctteb St5fe #euterono'y +3&% ,e that is ounded in the stones( or hath his privy 'e'ber cut off( shall not enter into the congregaItion of the -ordA GStonesG here 'eans GtesticlesG and Gprivy 'e'berG 'eans GpenisAG It as not only clear in the ,ebre la that any 'ale ith 'utilated genitals as cut off fro' the congregation of >ehovah( but this prohibition also applied even if the 'utilation had been the result of an accidentA >ehovah hi'self declared that he ould not accept an offering fro' a 'an hose testicles ere crushed or 'utilatedA ,e gave the 'essage to )oses ho as to give it to Aaron specifically regarding an offering of bread in the sanctuaryA The prohibition against the 'utilated 'ale is in verse +$ and( once again( GtesticlesG is rendered by the older English ter' GstonesAG >l iti"/S ZCA5BZ% %5And the -ord spa!e unto )oses( saying( 1Spea! unto Aaron( saying( *hosoever he be of thy seed in their generations that( hath any ble'ish( let hi' not approach to offer the bread of his <odA 1Tor hatsoever 'an he be that hath a ble'ish( he shall not approach& a blind 'an( or a la'e( or he that hath a flat nose( or any thing superfluous( I;or a 'an that is bro!enfooted( or bro!en handed( +$or croo!bac!ed( or a d arf( or that hath a ble'ish in his eye( or be scurvy( or scabbed( or hath his stones bro!en? +&no 'an that hath a ble'ish

244

of the seed of Aaron the priest shall co'e nigh to offer the offerings of the -ord 'ade by fire& he hath a ble'ish? he shall not co'e nigh to offer the bread of his <odA Through the prophet Isaiah( >ehovah see'ingly contradicted hi'self by saying that eunuchs ho are true believers ill( in the long run( receive re ards surpassing having sons and daughtersA 3saiatfD 35&3B3 17either let the son of the stranger( that hath Doined hi'self to the -ord( spea!( saying( The -ord hath utterly separated 'e fro' his people& neither let the eunuch say( Behold( I a' a drv treeA Tor thus saith the -ord unto the eunuchs that !eep 'y sabbaths( and choose the things that please 'e( and ta!e hold of 'v covenant? GEven unto the' ill I give in 'ine house and ithin 'y alls a place and a na'e better than of sons and of daughters& I ill give the' an everlasting na'e( that shall not be cut offA SSSSSSSSS "hapter FortyBFioe %6% In the story of the overthro of the rebellious Oueen >e@ebel( her de'ise ca'e about through the efforts of eunuchs( 9see pA %$5: II `,ngS ;&3%B33 3IAnd as >ehu entered in at the gate( she said( ,ad Zi'ri peace( ho sle his 'asterP 3+And he lifted up his face to the indo ( and said( *ho is on 'y sideP hoP And there loo!ed out to hi' t o or three eunuchsA 33And he said( Thro her do nA So they thre her do n& and so'e of her blood as sprin!led on the all( and on the horses& and he trode her under footA All together( there are at least forty references to eunuchs in the ScripturesA The story of Esther 9see "hapter 33:

245

indicates that the 'ost freOuent use of eunuchs as to serve as Ghare' !eeperAG Israel1s sexual naivete co'es into bold relief once again ith the use of eunuchs to protect and guard hare' o'enA In 'ost cases( a eunuch as castrated by re'oving the testicles onlyA This left the penis intactA )odern endocrinology states that the loss of the testes alone does not i'pair sexual functionHit only assures sterility and freedo' fro' baldness because of the eli'ination of the 'ale sex hor'one testosteroneA This 'eans that sexual excitation( including erection( is possible in a castrated 'aleHonly true eDaculation is i'possibleA An enterprising eunuch entrusted ith the Dob of caring for the o'en in a hare' really had it 'ade since he could enDoy sex ithout the fear or ris! of discovery through an e'barrassing pregnancyA In cases here castration involved re'oval of both the testes and the penis( all sexual activity as out of the Ouestion( of course( but the for'er type of castration see'ed to be the rule rather than the exceptionA Returning to "hrist1s putative reco''endation of castration as a sign of supre'e sexual sacrifice( it as ta!en Ouite literally as "hristianity developed in the first fe centuries of the early "hurchA A'ong the early church fathers( the best !no n of those ho inflicted selfBcastration upon the'selves as 2rigen 9AA#A %83H+30:A "onte'poraneous ith 2rigen as a sect hich as so enthusiastically addicted to the practice that( in addition to reOuiring castration of all its 'e'bers( they also castrated any guest ho as rash enough to stay under their roofA The sect( !no n as Calesians( perfor'ed their castrations ith a hot piece of 'etal(

246

referring to the act appropriately as a Gbaptis' of fireAG 4ro' the pen of -ucian( e get a vivid picture of the nature of the cereI'onies during hich selfBcastration often too! placeA

2rigen( the early church father of Alexandria( reacted to "hrist1s exhortation about eunuchs by cutting off his o n balls for the !ingdo' of heavenA 2n certain days a 'ultitude floc!s to the te'ple( and the <alli in great nu'bers( sacred as they are( perfor' the cere'onies of the 'en and gash their ar's and turn their bac!s to be lashedA )any bystanders play on the pipes( hile 'any beat dru's? others sing divine and sacred songsA All this perfor'ance ta!es place outside the te'ple AAA As the <alli sing and celebrate their orgies( fren@y falls on so'e of the'( and 'any ho had co'e as 'ere spectators after ards are found to have co'I'itted the great actA I shall narrate hat they doA Any young 'an ho has resolved on this action( strips off his clothes and ith a loud shout bursts into the 'idst of the cro d and pic!s up a s ord fro' a nu'ber of s ords hich I suppose have been !ept ready for 'any years for this purposeA ,e ta!es it and castrates hi'self( and runs ild through the city bearing in his hands hat he has cut offA ,e casts it into any house at ill( and fro' this house he receives o'en1s rai'ent and orna'entsA

247

The tonsure of the early priests of "hristianity is a recogni@ed sy'bol of castration and the s!irted cassoc! orn by priests is( at least in part( an i'iItation of the 'any religions co'peting ith early "hristianity hich reOuired that their priests don only fe'ale attire after they ere castratedA A horrific 'odern exa'ple of cutting off your balls for the !ingdo' of heaven as the aptly na'ed ,eaven1s <ate 'ass suicide in San #iego in the spring of %;;6( the largest 'ass suicide ever to occur on A'erican soilA Autopsies on the bodies of the 3; cult 'e'bers revealed that not only had the 'iddleBaged cult leader been surgically castrated( but also 'any of the younger 'en still in their sexual pri'eA *hat a aste in a futile atte'pt to enter Paradise through their o n ,eaven1s <ateX L[hF1LiFi^Afcyv&iFF S\tB FvF[FFF#FF* FvFr BdF SF\ FSFFFD>F<&BA [.M? >F^C["[ F"tSFBPF"F& "fDapter 3ortyBSige %63

Part %3 Illegiti'acy( "elibacy And Cirgin Birth

"fiaptcr SortyBSte PITQ T,E P22R BASTAR# %63 "hapter (`ortyB`eoen A7 XBRATE# .I7< S2-2)27 42R .I#S ue "hapter f`ortyBaSNgct PA/-( T,E "2)P/-SICE "E-IBATE %66 "hapter A`oftyB=9ttne T,E I))A"/-ATE #E"EPTI

"hapter 05 Pity The Poor Bastard

#euterono'y +3&+ A bastard shall not enter into the congregation of the -ord? even to his tenth generation shall he not enter into the congregation of the -ordA >ehovah1s anathe'a befell not only a bastard( but the bastards descendants through ten succeeding generationsA It is all the 'ore re'ar!able( in this light( that >ephthah rose to a real position of pro'inence in Israel( for not only

248

as his illegiti'acy a ellB!no n fact( but his 'other had been a prostitute and thus he had a double stig'a to overco'e in his rise to the topA In "hapter 38( e learned of his sacrifice of his daughter to >ehovahA This brief account tells ho he achieved pro'inence in Israel& fiubgtS %%&%B%% 17o >ephthah the <il 1eadite as a 'ighty 'an of valor( and he as the son of a harlot? and <il1eBad begat >ephthahA +And <il1eBad1s ife bare hi' sons? and his ife1s sons gre up( and they thrust out >ephthah( and said unto hi'( Thou shalt not inherit in our fathers house? for thou art the son of a strange o'anA Then >ephthah fled fro' his brethren( and d elt in the land of Tob& and there ere gathered vain 'en to >ephthah( and ent out ith hi'A 0And it ca'e to pass in process of ti'e( that the children of A''on 'ade ar against IsraelA 3And it as so( that hen the children of A''on 'ade ar against Israel( the elders of <il1eBad ent to fetch >ephthah out of the land of Tob& 5and they said unto >ephthah( "o'e( and be our captain( that e 'ay fight ith the children of A''onA 6And >ephthah said unto the elders of <il1eBad( #id not ye hate 'e( and expel 'e out of 'y father1s houseP and hy are ye co'e unto 'e no hen ye are in distressP 8And the elders of <il1eBad said

unto >ephthah( Therefore e turn again to thee no ( that thou 'ayest go ith us( and fight against the children of A''on( and be our head over all the inhabitants of <il1eBadA ;And >ephthah said unto the elders of <il1eBad( If ye

249

bring 'e ho'e again to fight against the children of A''on( and the -ord deliver the' before 'e( shall I be your headP GAnd the elders of <il1eBad said unto >ephthah( The -ord be itness bet een us( if e do not so according to thy ordsA GThen >ephthah ent ith the elders of <il1eBad( and the people 'ade hi' head and captain over the'? and >ephthah uttered all his ords before the -ord in )i@pehA fWiF@iD31SrDs\W fe[S is[3 @F1y@W[SWWWPiWFF1BWWD3=SDZW SDt.? FFs FSSSs>sFiSip

"hapter 06 An XBRated .ing Solo'on 4or .ids

IT A-*AQS 4AS"I7ATES )E T2 -EA4 T,R2/<, T,E )QRIA# volu'es of Bible stories for children that populate every boo!IstoreA The fa'iliar fable of .ing Solo'ons isdo' invariably appears in each and every collection( but the severely saniti@ed adaptation bears very little rese'blance to the original text as found in I .ings 3&%5H+8A In the very unli!ely event that I 'ight decide to rite an XBRated Bib! Stories for "hildren so'e day( here is ho the popular parable 'ight unfold& .I7< S2-2)27 A7# T,E -ITT-E BASTAR# 2nce upon a ti'e( there as a very ise 'an( .ing Solo'onA This !ing as very richA In fact( he had so 'uch 'oney that he 'arried seven hundred ives and he also had three hundred concubinesA A concubine as a o'an ho lived ith a 'an ithout being 'arried to hi'A Today( if a 'an and a o'an live together ithout being 'arried( e say that they are living in sin because they are guilty of fornicationA 4ornication is having sex

250

ith so'eone you are not 'arried to( but <od doesn1t ant us to do that any'oreA Also( today( if you have 'ore than one ife or husband( you are called a biga'ist and biga'y is against the la A And of course( if your daddy cheats on your 'o''y and has a secret girlfriend( or if your 'o''y cheats on your daddy and has a secret boyfriend( that is called adultery( and <od doesn1t ant us to do that eitherA The Bible tells us that if people co''it adultery( e should thro stones at the' and !ill the' because <od thin!s it is 'uch better to 'urder so'eone than to co''it adulteryA 7o ( in Solo'on1s day( it as 2. to have as 'any ives as you could afford to support because that as the ti'e of the 2ld #ispensation hich as <od1s Plan A for the orldA But today( e are living under the 7e #ispensation hich is also !no n as <od1s Plan BA 2ne day( t o prostitutes ca'e to see .ing Solo'onA A prostitute is a o'an ho sells her body for sex( and <od never ants us to do thatA These t o o'en brought a baby boy ith the' ho as illegiti'ateA That 'eans that no one !ne for sure ho the father of the child asA Since these t o prostitutes had sex ith so 'any different 'en( they could never !no for sure hich one of those 'en 'ade the' pregnantA Being pregnant 'eans that their belly s elled up and got very big ith a baby developing insideA But this little bastard 9another ord for a child hose parents never got 'arried: had a double proble'A 7ot only as there doubt about ho his father as( there as also so'e doubt as to hich of the t o prostitutes as his

251

'otherA %65 SfDeFBaSctteb St5fe 2ne of the hores 9another ord for prostitute: explained to the !ing that she and the other hore lived together in the sa'e houseA The first prostitute had a baby Dust three days before the other one also gave birthA But the second hores baby died one night hen she accidentally rolled over on it hile asleep and s'othered it to deathA Then she got up and stole the baby fro' the other 'other hile she as sound asleep and put the corpse of her dead son in the place of the living childA *hen the first 'other a o!e and as ready to nurse her son ith the 'il! fro' her breast( she reali@ed that the dead infant as not hers and she accused the other hore of !idnapping 9child stealing:A As the t o prostitutes argued bac! and forth before .ing Solo'on( each one clai'ed to be the real 'other of the little bastardA The !ing as!ed for a s ord because he as going to cut the living child into t o pieces and give one half to each of the'A The o'an ho cried out and begged hi' not to do that turned out to be the real 'otherA *hen the people heard about Solo'ons decision for the t o prostitutes and their little bastard( they soon reali@ed hat a really ise !ing they hadA 7o boys and girls( asn1t that a onderful storyP

"hapter 08 PA/-( T,E "2)P/-SICE "E-IBATE JA

I7 T,E 2-# TESTA)E7T( T,ERE IS 27-Q 27E )E7TI27 124 celibacy and it surfaces in the boo! of >ere'iah as a direct co'B'and fro' >ehovah for the prophet not to 'arryA 3ere'iafD %5& %H+ 1The ord of the -ord ca'e also unto 'e( saying +Thou shalt not ta!e thee a ife( neither shalt

252

thou have sons nor daughters in this placeA Paul1s reco''endation of celibacy 'ust be vie ed as an adDunct to his eschatological vie sHso says virtually every Bible scholarA In plain( everyday language( this 'eans that Paul believed that the end of the orld as i''iInent and for that reason felt that there ere 'uch 'ore i'portant 'atters hich needed attention than 'atters of the fleshX I "orintfDians 6&%B; 17o concerning the things hereof ye rote unto 'e& It is good for a 'an not to touch a o'anA 7evertheless( to avoid fornication( let every 'an have his o n ife( JGL rGRBLM >l F G ? GRGr "fDapter SortyB"yfDt %66

and let every o'an have her o n husbandA G1-et the husband render unto the ife due benevolence& and li!e ise also the ife unto the husBband GThe ife hath not po er of her o n body( but the husband& and li!e ise also the husband hath not po er of his o n body( but the ifeA F#efraud ye not one the other( except it be ith consent for a ti'e( that ye 'ay give yourselves to fasting and prayer? and co'e together again( that Satan te'pt you not for your incontinencyA 5But I spea! this by per'ission( and not of co''and'entA Tor I ould that all 'en ere even as I 'yself But every 'an hath his proper gift of <od( one after this 'anner( and another after that 3I say therefore to the un'arried and ido s( It is good for the' if they abide even as IA 1But if they cannot contain( let the' 'arry

253

for it is better to 'arry than to burnA At least Paul recogni@ed that not everyone could easily repress libidinous urges and that 'arriage as a viable alternative to their GburningG ith lust( but for hi'self( he chose the ascetic path of denialA This vie of his has had an enor'ous i'pact on the enforced celibacy of the Ro'an "atholic "hurch and on the narro vie of sexuality of the >udeoB"hristian tradition and ethicA Paul had 'uch to say on the subDect of sex in general and his interpretaItion of ho sex should be handled in particularA I have already discussed his opinions on ho'osexuality 9see "hapter %3:A -et us no exa'ine so'e of his other i'pressionsA

27 I7"EST
There had been an incident of incest reported fro' the "hurch at "orinth( and Paul let the believers there !no ( in no uncertain ter's( that incest as rong and that appropriate action should be ta!en against the church 'e'ber ho as guiltyA % "orinthians 3&%B3 1it is reported co''only that there is fornication a'ong you( and such fornication as is not so 'uch as na'ed a'ong the <entiles( that one should have his father1s ifeA + And ye are puffed up( and have not rather 'ourned( that he that hath done this deed 'ight be ta!en a ay fro' a'ong youA Tor I verily( as absent in body( but present in spirit( have Dudged already( as though I ere present( concerning hi' that hath so done this

254

deed( 0in the na'e of our -ord >esus "hrist( hen ye are gathered together( and 'y spirit( ith the po er of our -ord >esus "hrist( Gto deliver such a one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh( that the spirit 'ay be saved in the day of the -ord >esusA IJ2 t1llv yv H iSvil-"vP BF>1lv1tC %>BMBBy"fyB1 F1Fy[FB\i\i1F FABFiByF1ByF1 rFFiFFrBFFFFrFFFFFFFFiFFF"Dy1B

27 #IC2R"E
Paul insisted that his doctrine as not >ehovah1s but only his o nA ,e allo ed no exception for divorce except if the spouse had been ed to an unbelieverA This allo ed the individual to be free to 'arry again ithout being guilty of adulteryA This interpretation of Paul1s state'ent is hat the consensus of Bible scholars feels although so'e thin! that the person so excused fro' the 'arriage bond as only free to live in a separated state and not to re'arryA =Ro'"tnS 6&%H3 1.no ye not( brethren( 9for I spea! to the' that !no the la (: ho that the la hath do'inion over a 'an as long as he livethP Tor the o'an hich hath a husband is bound by the la to her husband so long as he liveth? but if the husband be dead( she is loosed fro' the la of her husbandA 3So then if( hile her husband liveth( she be 'arried to another 'an( she shall be called an adulteress& but if her husband be dead( she is free fro' that la ? so that she is no adulteress( though she be 'arried to another 'anA I "orintFiarlS 6&%+B%5 %+But to the rest spea! I( not the -ord& If any brother hath a ife that believe th not( and she be pleased to d ell ith hi'( let hi' not put her a ayA GAnd the o'an hich hath a husband that believeth not(

255

and if he be pleased to d ell ith her( let her not leave hi'A I04or the unbeIlieving husband is sanctified by the ife( and the unbelieving ife is sanctified by the husband& else ere your children unclean? but no are they holyA FBut if the unbelieving depart( let hi' departA A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases& but <od hath called us to peaceA I54or hat !no est thou( 2 ife( hether thou shalt save thy husbandP or ho !no est thou( 2 'an( hether thou shalt save thy ifeP It is instructive to co'pare the Dudg'ent of divorce in the <ospels ith that of PaulA >ohn is co'pletely silent on the subDect )ar! and -u!e allo no exception hatever for re'arrying after a divorceA %$&+H%+ +And the Pharisees ca'e to hi'( and as!ed hi'( Is it la ful for a 'an to put a ay his ifeP te'pting hi'A 1And he ans ered and said unto the'( *hat did )oses co''and youP 0And they said( )oses suffered to rite a bill of divorce'ent( and to put her a ayA 3And >esus ans ered and said unto the'( 4or > R[P FSA 13S SaS F%3 WSGA FS 3 FFFTSBSS "fDapter `ortyBbigfDt %6;

the hardness of your heart he rote you this preceptA 5But fro' the beginning of the creation <od 'ade the' 'ale and fe'aleA Tor this cause shall a 'an leave his father and 'other( and cleave to his ife? 8and they t ain shall be one flesh& so then they are no 'ore t ain( but one fleshA 1*hat therefore <od hath Doined together( let not 'an put

256

asunderA I$And in the house his disciples as!ed hi' again of the sa'e 'atterA GAnd he saith unto the'( *hosoever shall put a ay his ife( and 'arry another( co''itBteth adultery against herA I+And if a o'an shall put a ay her husIband( and be 'arried to another( she co''itteth adulteryA SAu!t %5&%8 *hosoever putteth a ay his ife and 'arrieth another( co''itteth adultery& and hosoever 'arrieth her that is put a ay fro' her husband co''itteth adulteryA )atthe refers t ice to the subDect of divorce and in both instances he indicates that it is per'issible to re'arry after a divorce( provided that the reason for the divorce as unfaithfulnessA The fact that )ar! and -u!e do not allo this exception causes 'any Bible co''entators to regard )atthe s exception as a later interpolation to try to soften the harsh and narro la of the other <ospelsA FRattfDe 3&3+ But % say unto you( That hosoever shall put a ay his ife( saving for the cause of fornication( causeth her to co''it adultery& and hosoever shall 'arry her that is divorced co''itteth adulteryA =SftottiDe/: %;&; And I say unto you( *hosoever shall put a ay his ife( except it be for fornication( and shall 'arry another( co''itteth adultery& and hoso 'arrieth her hich is put a ay doth co''it adulteryA In tallying up the divergent vie s of divorce hich are presented in the <ospels and in Paul1s ritings( e arrive at the follo ing distressing 'oral paradig'& )ATT,E* #ivorce per'issible? re'arriage allo ed provided that the divorce as based on adulteryA & )AR. #ivorce per'issible? no re'arriage allo edA -/.E #ivorce per'issible? no re'arriage allo edA

257

%8$

FeFeBFteb '! '''P'''''

PA/- #ivorce per'issible? re'arriage allo ed provided that the divorce as based on one spouse being an unbelieverA

2n Prostitution( PreB)arDtal And ExtraB)arital Sex

I "orinthianP 5&i+B+$ I+A%% things are la ful unto 'e( but all things are not expedient& all things are la ful for 'e( but I ill not be brought under the po er of anyA G)eats for the belly( and the belly for 'eats& but <od shall destroy both it and the'A 7o the body is not for fornication( but for the -ord? and the -ord for the bodyA GAnd <od hath both raised up the -ord( and ill also raise up us by( his o n po erA l3Rno ye not that your bodies are the 'e'bers of "hristP shall I then ta!e the 'e'bers of "hrist( and 'a!e the' the 'e'bers of a harlotP <od forbidA I5*hatX !no ye not that he hich is Doined to a harlot is one bodyP for t o( saith he( shall be one fleshA 1But he that is Doined unto the -ord is one spiritA I84lee fornicationA Every sin that a 'an doeth is ithout the body? but he that co''itteth fornication sinneth against his o n bodyA G*hatX !no ye not that your body is the te'ple of the ,oly <host hich is in you( hich ye have of <od( and ye are not your o nP +$4or ye are bought ith a price& thereIfore

258

glorify <od in your body( and in your spirit( hich are <od1sA 3\%;H+% I;7o the or!s of the flesh are 'anifest( hich are these( adultery( fornication( uncleanness( lasciviousness( +$idolatry( itchcraft( hatred( variance( e'ulations( rath( strife( seditions( heresies( +Ienvyings( 'urders( drun!enness( revelings( and such li!e& of the hich I tell you before( as I have also told you in ti'e past( that they hich do such things shall not inherit the !ingdo' of <odA 9EpfDeSianS 3nB6 1Be ye therefore follo ers of <od( as dear children? +and al! in love( as "hrist also hath loved us( and hath given hi'self for an offering and a sacrifice to <od for a s eetBs'elling savorA >But fornication( and all uncleanness( or covetousness( let it not be once na'ed a'ong you( as beco'eth saints? 0neither filthiness( nor foolish tal!ing( nor Desting( hich are not convenient& but rather giving of than!sA Tor this ye !no ( that no hore'onger( nor unclean person( nor covetous 'an( ho is an idolater( hath any inheritance in the !ingdo' of "hrist and of <odA 5-et no 'an 0FFiSFF0iFFFSsSFitFF'sWFas8iSiiA "hapter frortyBaEiaefDt %8%

deceive you ith vain ords& for because of these things co'eth the rath of <od upon the children of disobedienceA Be not ye therefore parta!ers ith the'A "ofosstans 3B3H` 1)ortify therefore your 'e'bers hich are upon the earth? fornication( uncleanness( inordinate affection(

259

evil concupiscence( and covetousness( hich is idolatry& for hich things1 sa!e the rath of <od co'eth on the children of disobeIdience& in the hich ye also al!ed so'eti'e( hen ye lived in the'A 8But no ye also put off all these? anger( rath( 'alice( blasphe'y( filthy co''unication out of your 'outhA I FfDessctfonictns 0 CNMo 14urther'ore then e beseech you( brethren( and exhort you by the -ord >esus( that as ye have received of us ho ye ought to al! and to please <od( so ye ould abound 'ore and 'oreA Tor ye !no hat

co''and'ents e gave you by the -ord >esusA Tor this is the ill of <od( even your sanctification( that ye should abstain fro' fornication& 0that every one of you should !no ho to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor? 1not in the lust of concupiscence( even as the <entiles hich !no not <od& 5that no 'an go beyond and defraud his brother in any 'atter& because that the -ord is the avenger of all such( as e also have fore arned you and testifiedA Tor <od hath not called us unto uncleanness( but unto holinessA 8,e therefore that despiseth( depiseth not 'an( but <od( ho hath also given unto us his ,oly SpiritA I "orinthians 6&3 #efraud ye not one the other( except it be ith consent for a ti'e( that ye 'ay give yourselves to fasting and prayer? and co'e together again( that Satan te'pt you not for your incontinencyA Paul undoubtedly ould have had even 'ore to say on the subDect of sex( but he felt that it as corrupting even to spea! of the subDect and therefore li'ited hi'self to hat he felt as necessary for his fello believers to have for

260

their 'oral instructionA bpfDesi"tnS 31A%+ 4or it is a sha'e even to spea! of those things hich are done of the' in secretA %8+ PTfDeF5BFateb 33t5fe In the boo! of Revelation( >ohn Doined Paul in extolling celibacy( for in a passage here he describes 'ortals entering the celestial real'( he refers to the %00($$$ privileged 'en as being virgins ho had not defiled the'selves ith o'en and had observed Pauls ad'onition that Git is good not to touch a o'anAG =Wettefatt2n ,&iB3 1And I loo!ed( and( % o( a -a'b stood on the 'ount Zion( and ith hi' a hundred forty and four thousand( having his 4ather1s na'e ritten in their foreheadsA +And I heard a voice fro' heaven( as the voice of 'any aters( and as a voice of a great thunder? and I heard the voice of harpers harping ith their harps& iand they sung as it ere a ne song before the throne( and before the four beasts( and the elders& and no 'an could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand( hich ere redee'ed fro' the earthA 0These are they hich ere not defiled ith o'en? for they are virginsA These are they hich follo the -a'b hithersoever he goethA These ere redee'ed fro' a'ong 'en( being the first fruits unto <od and to the -a'bA GAnd in their 'outh as found no guile& for they are ithout fault before the throne of <odA In Revelation ++&%0H%3( >ohn also indicated that a'ong those ho ould be excluded fro' the eternal city of heaven ould be hore'ongersA 9See "hapter %3 for the Ouoted textA:

261

Paul1s teachings on sex 'ar! the advent of the philosophical vie !no n as dualis'A Prior to Pauline ritings( the ,ebre s espoused the philosophy of naturalis'Hthat is( they considered the person( both body and soul( as a unity and sex as 'erely part of that holeA Putting aside co'pletely the ,ebre vie that the natural order of things as ordained of <od( dualis' split the orld do n the 'iddle and created division every hereA Since the physical orld as evil and sensual( only the spiritual orld as real and goodA The body ith its ani'al passions and desires belonged to the physical orld and as nothing 'ore than a ic!ed illusionA 4or believers to be spiritual( they had to renounce the orld and the cravings of the body( ith particular e'phasis on sexual abstinenceA There as no a declaration of ar bet een the body and the spirit ith Satan fighting constantly to in the battle of the flesh over the GhigherG senIsibilitiesA The net result of this holesale acceptance of dualis' as to 'a!e believers a are that they ere to be constantly on guard ithin the'selves so that they could age this struggle allo ing good to triu'ph over evilA And the FF)SFSff*F*F))f*SFffWSSi "hapter SortyBbta:fDt %83

credit for this radical and ulti'ately defeatist change in e'phasis goes to none other than Paul( the co'pulsive celibateA ,A -A )enc!en 'ust have had the apostle Paul in 'ind hen he penned his no Bfa'ous definition of a Puritan& a

262

person ho has the terrible fear that so'eone( so'e here is having a good ti'eA Paul ranted and raved that Git is good for a 'an not to touch a o'an(G but he readily ad'itted that not everyone as able to GcontainG as he couldA ,o ever( he as also vehe'ently opposed to a 'an touching another 'an or a o'an touching another o'an( or( horror of horrors( to anyone touching oneselfA As a >e ( Paul as ellBversed in the rabbinical prohibition against touching hi'self( even hen urinating( since it Dust 'ight lead to bigger and better thingsA ,e had not yet been exposed to the ne er and 'ore liberal rabbinical teaching that if <od did not ant us to 'asturbate( he ould have 'ade our ar's shorterA Paul decided that it is better to 'arry than to GburnG ith unfulfilled lust and he considered it essential to see! a spouse in order to avoid the terrible sin of fornicationA Qet his 'essage provides no solution for ido s and ido ers( for all single persons( and especially for sexually 'ature and capable youth ith a fullyBblosso'ed and urgent sex drive and for ho' 'arriage is definitely out of the OuestionA *e have all beco'e un itting victi's or survivors of this negative( puritanical conditioningA The unrelenting the'e song and distillation of all of Paul1s ascetic ritings co'es to us as a 'ost depressing Biblical 'oral guide& If it feels good( for <ods sa!e( don1t do itX

"hapter 0; T,E I))A"/-ATE #E"EPTI27

263

CERQ "2))27 )IS"27"EPTI27 AB2/T T,E I))A"/-ATE "onception is that it describes the virgin birth of "hristA Those ho have not had the benefit 9P: of Ro'an "atholic catechis' understandably thin! that since >esus had no hu'an father( his birth did not involve the dirty deed of regular carnal intercourse and therefore as unspotted or i''aculateA In Ro'an "atholic theology( ho ever( the virgin birth applies only to "hrist1s conception ithout a hu'an father and the subseOuent perpetual virgin state of )ary? the I''aculate "onception refers only to )ary herself having been conceived ithout the stain of original sin that conta'inates the rest of usA It as not until %830 that Pope Pius IX issued the declaration elevating )ary to this uniOue statusA %80 SfDe?:5B3[ateb 3)59e F C B[CB B[v Mi[[LB BPC5 FGG fFi FF GFM BF

[ F[B >Nt B3[tA F aMp[A [[vA

2nly so'eone thoroughly indoctrinated by Ro'an "atholic progra''ing could loo! at an infant in the ar's of a proud 'other and accept the dog'a that that bundle of innocence as already corrupted by original sin because of Ada'1s disobedience in the <arden of EdenA The exorcis' pronounced as part of the Ro'an "atholic baptis'al cere'ony purportedly drives out the devil of original sin and ipes the slate clean( ensuring the salvation of the baby1s soulA 7o let us turn our attention to the bac!ground of the dog'a of the virgin birthA 3S$iafD 6&%0 Therefore the -ord hi'self shall give you a sign? Behold( a virgin shall conceive( and bear a son( and

264

shall call his na'e I''ahuBelA The controversial ,ebre ord used here so'eti'es 'eans GvirginG and so'eti'es Gyoung o'anAG A circular argu'ent is provided by 'any apologists to explain hy they feel it should 'ean GvirginAG They Ouote fro' )atthe a text hich plainly refers bac! to the Isaiah text& =BftattfDett: %%++B+3 ++7o a/ dF as done\ that [ 'ight be fulfilled hich as spo!en of the -ord by the prophet( saying( GBehold( a virgin shall be ith child( and shall bring forth a son( and they shall call his na'e I''an1uBelA There are so'e scholars( ho ever( ho vie the )atthe text as a possiIble interpolation to sho that "hrist as indeed the )essiah and that he ca'e in fulfill'ent of the Isaiah textA *hen the Revised Standard Cersion of the Bible first appeared( a genuine furor developed because the translators had rendered the ord in Ouestion as Gyoung o'anG in the Isaiah text( relying on the original ,ebre rather than the <ree! translation of the ,ebre used by the .ing >a'es translatorsA -u!e also refers to the virgin birth in his gospel( but )ar! and >ohn are strangely silent on the issueA At any rate( after )ary beca'e pregnant( >oseph as prepared to !eep her fro' public vie since he thought that her condition as due to an affair ith another 'anA FnattfDero %&%8 H%; XS7o the birth of >esus "hrist as on this ise& *hen as his 'other )ary as espoused to >oseph( before they ca'e together( she as found ith child of the ,oly ?VFgl)^isrsgFF "fDapter DortyB=Jt'e %83 <host I;Then >oseph her husband( being a Dust 'an( and not illing to 'a!e her a public exa'ple( as 'inded to

265

put her a ay privilyA It as then explained to >oseph by an angel that his ife as to give birth to the )essiahA =;tattfDeu\ %&+$B+% +$But hile he thought on these things( G[.e ,ER ft P/B-I" e[[ behold( the angel of the -ord appeared unto hi' in a drea'( saying( >oseph( thou son of #avid( fear not to ta!e unto thee )ary thy ife& for that hich is conceived in her is of the ,oly <hostA +IAnd she shall bring forth a son( and thou shalt call his na'e >esus& for he shall save his people fro' their sinsA The next section indicates that >oseph did not have sex ith )ary until after the birth of "hristA But verse +3 effectively de'olishes the Ro'an "atholic doctrine of perpetual virginity for )aryA =fftdttfDe/: %&+0B+3 +0Then >oseph be'g raised fro' sleep did as the angel of the -ord had bidden hi'( and too! unto hi' his ife& +3And !ne her not till she had brought forth her firstIborn son& and he called his na'e >esusA 2nce "hrist as born( )ary as reOuired to observe the sa'e purification rites that any ,ebre 'other had to follo A It is also note orthy that the purification rite of circu'cision as perfor'ed on the "hrist child on the eighth day Dust as ith any other ,ebre 'ale infantA DiB/.t +&+%H+0 +IAnd hen eight days ere acco'plished for the circu'cising of the child( his na'e as called >esus( hich as so na'ed of the angel before he as conceived in the o'bA ++And %85 jDeFB=fatteb gifife

266

V ^[L vSr V[L B hen the days of her purification according to the la of )oses ere acco'plished( they brought hi' to >erusale'( to present hi' to the -ord? +39as it is ritten in the la of the -ord( Every 'ale that openeth the o'b shall be called holy to the -ord?: +0and to offer a sacrifice according to that hich is said in the la of the -ord( A pair of turdedoves( or t o young pigeonsA If the conception of "hrist in )ary1s o'b had truly been asexual( one onders hy she had to perfor' the sa'e cere'onial purification rites as any other ordinary ,ebre 'otherA )odern genetics teaches that virgin birth is not only entirely possible( but 'uch 'ore co''on that previously i'aginedA The scientific ter' is GparthenogenesisG and an article by Roy >A ,arris( >rA entitled GThe Birds and Bees "an1t Explain the Birth of "ertain Tur!eysG in the *all Street >ournal in >uly( %;63( explained& GIn parthenogenesis( an outside agentHpossibly a virusHapparently triggers duplication of the 'other1s set of chro'oso'esA This( in turn( touches off e'bryonic develop'entAG In /topian )otherhood& 7e Trends in ,u'an Reproduction( Robert TA 4rancoeur 'a!es the 'indBboggling state'ent that Gvirgin birthsG occur as often as t ins and t ice as often as identical t ins a'ong hite A'ericans 'eaning that in one case in ten thousand births( the eggs 'ight have divided of their o n accord(

267

ithout any contact ith sper'ato@oaA Such revelations have co'forted funda'entalists because they offer a rational explanation of a pheno'enon hich 'any have doubted for centuriesA But geneticists offer a further explanation that du'bfounds all funda'entalists& in parthenogenesis or Gvirgin birth(G the offspring can only be fe'ale since the 'ale genetic code is lac!ingX #uring the early centuries of "hristendo'( it as idely held that "hrist had been born by e'erging either through )ary1s breast or navel in order to avoid contact ith hat the <er'ans call to this very day Gthe parts of sha'eAG So idespread did this belief beco'e that a boo! as ritten by Ratra'nus atte'pting to prove that "hrist had been born through the nor'al channelsA A conco'itant issue in the "atholic "hurch as that of deciding hether "hrist as divine fro' the 'o'ent of his conception or only at so'e later point during his intraButerine develop'entA It as not resolved until %835 in favor of the G'o'ent of conceptionG dog'aA It as( of course( difficult for 'any to accept the notion that )ary could have been i'pregnated by the ,oly <host and still re'ain a virginA The 'yth obtained that she had been i'pregnated through the earA In so'e early N&FF1"FBFMFFFFFFFF[MMF? "fDapter `ortyB=J/ne %36 paintings( the ,oly <host( in the for' of a dove( is seen descending ith the sper' in its billA Still another painting sho s a lily through hich the se'inal ords pass before entering )ary1s earA 2ne early carving even sho s a

268

tube going fro' <abriel1s 'outh to )ary1s body( but under her s!irtsA The Cirgin1s first syste'atic theologian( 4rancisco Suare@( helped to dispel all 'yths by explaining the virgin birth& The Blessed Cirgin in conceiving a son neither lost her virginity nor experienced any venereal pleasure AAA it did not befit the ,oly Spirit ithout any cause or utility to produce such an effect( or to excite any unbeco'ing 'ove'ent of passion A A A 2n the contrary the effect of his overshado ing is to Ouench the fire of original sinA A A 9The #ignity and Cirginity of the )other of <od( pA 0%:A 4or an engrossing and co'prehensive account of the history of )ariolotry( read Alone of All ,er Sex& The )yth and the "ult of the Cirgin )ary byG )arina *arnerA And for a fascinating account of ho the founders of all the orld1s leading religions ere spa ned by otherBthanBsexual 'eans( read .ersey <raves1 illu'inating and brilliant analysis in The *orld1s Sixteen "rucifiedA Saviors( The best reduction I have ever encountered of this preposterous ecclesiIastical fairy tale su's it all up very neatlyA The Cirgin )ary gave birth to the little babe >esus( the innocent la'b of <od destined to be slain for the sins of all hu'an!indA "onseOuently( "hristian theology at its si'plest and 'ost funda'ental level boils do n1to this very basic for'ula& )ary had a little la'bX %88 jDeFBFateb St59Ge

269

Part %0 Sexual Betrayal

"fDapter Sifty A ,27EQ)227 *IT, T,E *R27< BRI#E %;$ "fDaptcr FiftifBc#ne ABRA,A) A7# ISAA"( T*2 #2/B-EB#EA-I7< PI)PS %;3 <Daptct ctfhDB_Ttgo #E-I-A, #2/B-EB"R2SSES S/PERST/# SA)S27 %;6 "hapter FiftyB&9TfDree .I7< A,AS/ER/S #IT",ES =/EE7 CAS,TI 42R EST,ER +$3

"hapter 3$ A ,oney'oon *ith The *rong Bride

ISAA" T2-# >A"2B T,AT ,E S,2/-# 72T )ARRQ A "A7AA7ITE o'an( but rather that he should Dourney to PadanBara' here his /ncle -aban lived and there 'arry one of his cousinsA >acob obediently traveled to his uncle1s do'ain and upon arriving there( 'et -aban1s daughter Rachel ho' he fell in love ith i''ediatelyA ZF1AMX- Then >acob ent on his Dourney( and ca'e into the land of the people of the eastA +And he loo!ed( and behold a ell in the field( and( lo( there ere three floc!s of sheep lying by it? for out of that ell they atered the floc!s& and a great stone as upon the ell1s 'outhA 3And thither ere all the floc!s gathered& and they rolled the stone fro' the ell1s 'outh( and atered the sheep( and put the stone again upon the ell1s 'outh in his placeA 0And >acob said unto the'( )y brethren( hence be yeP And they said( 2f ,aran are eA iAnd he said unto the'( .no ye -aban the son of 7ahorP And they said( *e !no hi'A 5And he said unto the'( Is he ellP And they said(

270

,e is ell& and( behold( Rachel his daughter co'eth ith the sheepA 6And he said( -o( it is yet high day( neither is it ti'e that the cattle should be gathered together& ater ye the sheep( and go and feed the'A 8And they said( *e cannot( until all the floc!s be gathered together( and till they roll the stone fro' the ell1s 'outh? then e ater the sheepA 1And hile he yet spa!e ith the'( Rachel ca'e ith her father1s sheep& for she !ept the'A I$And it ca'e to pass( hen >acob sa Rachel the daughter of -aban his 'other1s brother( and the sheep of -aban his 'other1s brother( that >acob ent near( and rolled the stone fro' the ell1s 'outh( and atered the floc! of -aban his 'other1s brotherA GAnd >acob !issed Rachel( and lifted up his voice( and eptA I+And >acob told Rachel that he as her father1s brother( and that he as Rebe!ah1s son& and she ran and told her fatherA -aban ar'ly elco'ed >acob into his ho'e and after Dust one 'onth( they 'ade a pact hereby >acob agreed to or! for -aban for seven years in order to earn the hand of Rachel in 'arriageA The intensity of >acob s love for Rachel can be 'easured by his state'ent that the seven years see'ed to hi' as but a fe daysA +F1AN>:M+$ I3And it ca'e to pass( hen -aban heard the tidings of >acob his sisters son( that he ran to 'eet hi'( and e'braced hi'( and !issed hi'( and brought hi' to his houseA And he told -aban all these thingsA GAnd -aban said to hi'( Surely thou art 'y bone and 'y fleshA And he abode ith hi' the space of a 'onthA l3And -aban said unto >acob( Because thou art 'y brother( shouldest thou therefore serve 'e for noughtP tell 'e( hat shall thy

271

ages beP I5And -aban had t o daughters& the na'e of the elder as -e1ah( and the na'e of the younger as RachelA - -e1ah as tender eyed? but Rachel as beautiful and ellBfavoredA I8And >acob loved Rachel? and said( I ill serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughterA I;And -aban said( It is better that I give her to thee( than that I should give her to another 'an& abide ith 'eA +$And >acob served seven years for Rachel? and they see'ed unto hi' but a fe days( for the love he had to herA At the end of the sevenByear period( the 'arriage too! place at a edding feast held by -abanA "enests +;B+%B++ +%And >acob said unto -aban( <ive 'e 'y ife( for 'y days are fulfilled( that I 'ay go in unto herA ++And -aban gathered together all the 'en of the place( and 'ade a feastA 2n that edding night( >acob as a aiting his ne bride in the bridal cha'ber( but -aban brought Rachel1s older sister -eah to the cha'ber insteadA In an era of no electric lights( it as not until the next 'orning that >acob discovered the tric! -aban had played on hi'A ,e de'anded an explaInation fro' -aban for his actionsA aW'tSNS +;&+3B+3 +3And it ca'e to pass in the evening( that he too! -e1ah his daughter( and brought her to hi'? and he ent in unto herA +0And -aban gave unto his daughter -e1ah Zilpah his 'aid for a hand'aidA +3And it ca'e to pass( that in the 'orning( behold( it as -e1ah& and he said to -aban( *hat is this thou hast done unto 'eP did not I serve ith thee for RachelP herefore then hast thou beguiled 'eP -aban explained that it as the custo' a'ong his people al ays to 'arry off the older daughter before the

272

younger one( a practice hich he certainly should have ta!en the trouble to explain to >acob seven years previouslyA Then F>FFSSFMM1BFrF1BT BMFBM B B B F "fDapter Fifty %;%

a ne pact as 'ade giving Rachel to >acob at the end of the bridal ee! ith -eah( but only on the condition that he re'ain yet another seven years for the privilegeA The Gbridal ee!G as the sevenBday celebration held in order to feast and 'a!e 'erry in honor of the Doyous occasionA 5eneStS +;&+5B3$ +5And -aban said( It 'ust not be so done in our country( to give the younger before the firstbornA +64ulfil her ee!( and e ill give thee this also for the service hich thou shalt serve ith 'e yet seven other yearsA +8And >acob did so( and fulfilled her ee!& and he gave hi' Rachel his daughter to ife alsoA +;And -aban gave to Rachel his daughter Bilhah his handI'aid to be her 'aidA 3$And he ent in also unto Rachel( and he loved also Rachel 'ore than -e1ah( and served ith hi' yet seven other yearsA A little later in Israel1s history( >acob ould have been entitled to one full year of leisureA The ,ebre la subseOuently stipulated that a ne ly 'arried 'ale as exe'pt fro' 'ilitary service for one full year and also fro' the responsibilities of 'a!ing a livelihoodA *hat a lengthy honey'oonX #euterono'y +0&3 h en a 'an hath ta!en a ne ife( he shall not go out to ar( neither shall he be charged ith any busiIness& but he shall be free at ho'e one year( and shall cheer up his ife hich he hath ta!enA The later ,ebre la ould also have 'ade both -aban and >acob guilty of allo ing t o sisters to 'arry the sa'e

273

'anA The ,ebre canon decreed that no Israelite could 'arry a second sister as long as the first sister as still aliveA FeFtti"/S %8&%8 7either shalt thou ta!e a ife to her sister( to vex her( to uncover her na!edness( besides the other in her life ti'eA %;+ STfDeFBFateb Si5fe

"hapter 3% Abraha' And Isaac( T o #oubleB#ealing Pi'ps

Abraha' Dourneyed to Egypt ith his ife Sarah( but he ad'onIished her to pretend that she as his sister so that the Egyptians ould not !ill hi' in order to steal his ifeA 9#enesis )1AI2H%3 I$And there as a fa'ine in the land& and Abra' ent do n into Egypt to soDourn there? for the fa'ine as grievous in the landA GAnd it ca'e to pass( hen he as co'e near to enter into Egypt( that he said unto Sarai his ife( Behold no ( I !no that thou art a fair o'an to loo! upon& I+therefore it shall co'e to pass( hen the Egyptians shall see thee( that they shall say( This is his ife& and they ill !ill 'e( but they ill save thee aliveA I3Say( I pray thee( thou art 'y sister& that it 'ay be ell ith 'e for thy sa!e? and 'y soul shall live because of theeA *hen they arrived in Egypt( Sarah1s beauty as i''ediately noticed and she as ta!en into Pharaoh1s household

274

hich of course 'eant that she as added to his great hare'A Pharaoh co'pensated Abraha' generously for his GsisterAG As part of the rulers hare'( she undoubtedly did hat every other hare' 'e'ber did to please the !ingA 93enests %+&%0B%5 I0And it ca'e to pass( that( hen Abra' as co'e into Egypt( the Egyptians beheld the o'an that she as very fairA l3The princes also of Pharaoh sa her( and co'I'ended her before Pharaoh& and the o'an as ta!en into Pharaoh1s houseA I5And he entreated Abra' ell for her sa!e& and he had sheep( and oxen( and he asses( and 'enservants( and 'aidIservants( and she asses( and ca'elsA >ehovah as displeased ith Pharaoh for ta!ing Sarah a ay fro' Abraha' and he sent plagues to punish hi' for his actsA The 'onarch finally beca'e a are of Abraha'1s deception and released Sarah and sent her and Abraha' out of EgyptA 7othing in the narrative indicates that Abraha' returned any of the 'unificence hich Pharaoh had besto ed on hi'Hsheep( oxen( don!eys( ca'els and servantsA iSAS5SE ^ "fDapter StftyBjne %;3

"enesis %+I%6B+$ T And the -ord plagued Pharaoh and his house ith great plagues( because of Sarai( Abra'1s ifeA I8And Pharaoh called Abra'( and said( *hat is this that thou has done unto 'eP hy didst thou not tell 'e that she as thy ifeP I;*hy saidst thou( She is 'y sisterP so I 'ight have ta!en her to 'e to ife& no therefore

275

behold thy ife( ta!e her( and go thy ayA +$And Pharaoh co''anded his 'en concerning hi'& and they sent hi' a ay( and his ife( and all that he hadA So'e ti'e later( Abraha' and Sarah set off on another DourneyA This ti'e( the sa'e hoax as perpetrated on .ing Abi'elechA But in a drea'( >ehovah revealed to Abi'elech that Abraha' and Sarah ere 'arried and he exonerIated Abi'elech of any rongdoing in this instance since he had acted in good faith and since he had not as yet fornicated ith SarahA 9SenestS +$&%B8 1And Abraha' Dourneyed fro' thence to ard the south country( and d elt bet een .adesh and Shur( and soDourned in <erarA +And Abraha' said of Sarah his ife( She is 'y sister& and Abi'1elech !ing of <erar sent( and too! SarahA 3but <od ca'e to Abi'1elech in a drea' by night( and said to hi'( Behold( thou art but a dead 'an( for the o'an hich thou has ta!en? for she is a 'an1s ifeA 0But Abi'1elech had not co'e near her& and he said( -ord( ilt thou slay also a righteous nationP ^Said he not unto 'e( she is 'y sisterP and she( even she herself said( ,e is 'y brother& in the integrity of 'y heart and innocency of 'y hands have I done thisA 5And <od said unto hi' in a drea'( Qea( I !no that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart? for I also ithheld thee fro' sinning against 'e& therefore suffered I thee not to touch herA G7o therefore restore the 'an his ife? for he is a prophet( and he shall pray for thee( and thou shalt live& and if thou restore her not( !no thou that thou shalt surely

276

die( thou( and all that are thineA Therefore Abi'1elech rose early in the 'orning( and called all his servants( and told all these things in their ears& and the 'en ere sore afraidA .ing Abi'elech then confronted Abraha' over his atte'pted treachery( and Abraha' revealed to the 'onarch that Sarah really as his halfBsister since they both had the sa'e fatherA %;0 FfDeF"BFateb 33i59e 9<enesis Z21AtyH%3 1Then Abi'1elech called Abraha'( and said unto hi'( *hat hast thou done unto usP and hat have I offended thee( that thou hast brought on 'e and on 'y !ingdo' a great sinP thou hast done deeds unto 'e that ought not to be doneA %$And Abi'1elech said unto Abraha'( *hat sa est thou( that thou hast done this thingP GAnd Abraha' said( Because I thought( Surely the fear of <od is not in this place? and they ill slay 'e for 'y ife1s sa!eA %+And yet indeed she is 'y sister? she is the daughter of 'y father( but not the daughter of 'y 'other? and she beca'e 'y ifeA GAnd it ca'e to pass( hen <od caused 'e to ander fro' 'y father1s house( that I said unto her( This is thy !indness hich thou shalt sho unto 'e? at every place hithIer e shall co'e( say of 'e( ,e is 'y brotherA Abi'elech then de'onstrated his generosity by lavishing gifts on Abraha'A A'ong the gifts ere %($$$ pieces of silverA 5enesiS +$&%0B%5 GAnd Abi'elech too! sheep( and oxen( and 'enservants( and o'enservants( and gave the'

277

unto Abraha'( and restored hi' Sarah his ifeA l3And Abi'1elech said( Behold( 'y land is before thee& d ell here it pleaseth theeA I5And unto Sarah he said( Behold( I have given thy brother a thousand pieces of silver& behold( he is to thee a covering of the eyes( unto all that are ith thee( and ith all other? thus she as reprovedA >ehovah had 'ysteriously chosen to punish Abi'elech for accepting Abraha'1s offer of Sarah and the punish'ent 'eted out as sterility for all the o'en in the !ing1s householdA Although the text i'plies that their soDourn ith Abi'elech as very brief( it 'ust have endured for so'e ti'e in order for the curse of sterility i'posed by >ehovah to beco'e evidentA Abraha' then entreated >ehovah to reconsider the plague of sterility hich had befallen Abi'elech1s ife and all the o'en in his hare'A >ehovah responded to Abraha'1s plea by rescinding the sex hex and Abi'elech1s ife and all the o'en in his hare' beca'e fertile once againA 93enestS +$&%6B%8 &&So Abraha' prayed unto <od& and <od healed Abi'1elech( and his ife( and his 'aidservants? and they bare childrenA XS4or the -ord had fast closed up all the o'bs of the house of Abi'1elech( because of Sarah( Abraha'1s ifeA C( "fDapter `iftyBa#ne %;3 -i!e father( li!e sonX Isaac used his ife Rebe!ah to deceive a !ing ith the sa'e

278

ruse that his father Abraha' had contrived ith SarahA 2nce again( the fraud as perpetrated on .ing Abi'elech ho surely should have heard the ru'or of hat had happened to his fello 'onarch( Abi'elech of <erarA In this instance( the 'onarch discovered the subI terfuge hen he loo!ed out of his palace indo and LLLLLL LA sa Isaac and Rebe!ah pettingHthe 'odern eOuivIalent of GsportingG and the couple left the !ingdo' ithout Rebe!ah1s ever getting to Doin the royal hare'X a3enesis +5&5B%% GAnd Isaac d elt in <erarA 1And the 'en of the place as!ed hi' of his ife? and he said( She is 'y sister& for he feared to say( She is 'y ife? lest( said he( the 'en of the place should !ill 'e for Rebe!ah? because she as fair to loo! uponA sAnd it ca'e to pass( hen he had been there a long ti'e( that Abi'1elech !ing of the Philistines loo!ed out at a indo ( and sa ( and( behold( Isaac as sporting ith Rebe!ah his ifeA ;And Abi'1elech called Isaac( and said( Behold( of a surety she is thy ife& and ho saidst thou( She is 'y sisterP And Isaac said unto hi'( Because I said( -est I die for herA I$And Abi'1elech said( *hat is this thou hast done unto usP one of the people 'ight lighdy have lain ith thy ife( and thou shouldest have brought guiltiness upon usA GAnd Abi'1elech charged all his people( saying( ,e that toucheth this 'an or his ife shall surely be put to deathA %;5 FiDeFBFateb 33i5fe SS04>

279

"hapter 3+ 4oxy #elilah #oubleB"rosses Superstud Sa'son

BQ )EA7S 24 A7 A7<E-B)ESSE7<ER( >E,2CA, RECEA-E# T2 the ife of )anoah that she ould bear a son and that he as to be consecrated as a 7a@ariteA This 'eant that his hair as never to be cut and that he as never to touch strong drin!A F>/"F"S %31+MLDD +And there as a certain 'an of Zorah( of the fa'ily of the #anites( hose na'e as )ano1ah? and his ife as barren( and bare notA 3And the angel of the -ord appeared unto the o'an( and said unto her( Behold no ( thou art barren( and bearest not& but thou shalt conceive( and bear a sonA 07o thereIfore be are( I pray thee( and drin! not ine nor strong drin!( and eat not any unclean thing& Tor( lo( thou shalt conceive( and bear a son? and no ra@or shall co'e on his head& for the child shall be a 7a@arite unto <od fro' the o'b& and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the PhilistinesA Sa'son as born as pro'ised and consecrated to >ehovahA 3llb$eS %3&+0 And the o'an bare a son( and called his na'e Sa'son& and the child gre ( and the -ord blessed hi'A As Sa'son gre into 'anhood( he sa a Philistine o'an that he anted to 'arry( but his parents tried to discourage hi'A 3tlbaeeS %0&iB3 1And Sa'son ent do n to Ti'nath( and sa a o'an in Ti'nath of the daughters of the PhilistinesA +And he ca'e up( and told his father and his 'other( and said( I have seen a o'an in Ti'nath of the daughters of the Philistines& no therefore get her for 'e to ifeA 3Then his father and his 'other said unto hi'( Is

280

there never a o'an a'ong the daughters of thy brethren( or a'ong all 'y people( that thou goest to ta!e a ife of the uncircu'cised PhilistinesP And Sa'son said unto his father( <et her for 'e? for she pleaseth 'e ellA Sa'son 'arried the Philistine o'an any ay( but she betrayed hi' by enticing hi' to tell her the ans er to a riddle hich he had expounded to thirty Philistines ho had gathered at the edding feastA T FFFnFXFFFFFrFrFXAFF "fDaptaFiftyB1S1roo %;6 fiubgts %0&%5B%6 i5And Sa'son1s ife ept before hi'( and said( Thou dost but hate 'e( and lovest 'e not& thou hast put forth a riddle unto the children of 'y people( and hast not told it 'eA And he said unto her( Behold( I have not told it 'y father nor 'y 'other( and shall I tell it theeP I6And she ept before hi' the seven days( hile their feast lasted& and it ca'e to pass on the sevIenth day( that he told her( because she lay sore upon hi'& and she told the riddle to the children of her peopleA Sa'son as so enraged that he sle the thirty 'en( and leaving his ife behind( returned to his father1s houseA ,is ife as then given to the friend of Sa'son ho had been the best 'an at Sa'sons eddingA 3ub9DeS %0&%;B+$ I;And the Spirit of the -ord ca'e upon hi'( and he ent do n to Ash1!elon( and sle thirty 'en of the'( and too! their spoil and gave change of gar'ents unto the' hich expounded the riddleA And his anger as !indled( and he ent up to his fathers houseA +$But Sa'son1s ife as given to his co'panion( ho' he had used as his friendA Sa'son later returned to visit his ife( but his fatherBinBla refused hi' entry into the houseA ,e atte'pted to

281

appease Sa'son by offering hi' his younger daughter( but Sa'son refused the offer and proceeded to burn the land of the PhilistinesA They( in turn( burned the house of Sa'son1s fatherBinBla incinerating both the father and the daughterA `ubgt` %3&%B5 XBut it ca'e to pass ithin a hile after( in the ti'e of heat harvest( that Sa'son visited his ife ith a !id? and he said( I ill go in to 'y ife into the cha'berA But her father ould not suffer hi' to go inA +And her father said( I verily thought that thou hadst utterly hated her? therefore I gave her to thy co'panion& is not her younger sister fairer than sheP ta!e her( I pray thee( instead of herA 3And Sa'son said concerning the'( 7o shall I be 'ore bla'eless than the Philistines( though I do the' a displeasureA 0And Sa'son ent and caught three hundred foxes( and too! firebrands( and turned tail to tail( and put a fireBbrand in the 'idst bet een t o tailsA GAnd hen he had set the brands on fire( he let the' go into the standing corn of the Philistines( and burnt up both the shoc!s and also the standing corn( ith the vineyards and olivesA Then the Philistines said( %;8 aaDeA`B3itaeb 8%5ft 1M> BC B MN M [ BCN? Z TM 1A (BCA B*N *ho hath done thisP And they ans ered( Sa'son( the sonBinBla of Ti'nite( because he had ta!en his ife( and given her to his co'panionA And the Philistines ca'e up( and burnt her and her father ith fireA After this and other exploits( Sa'son patroni@ed a hore and shac!ed up ith her for al'ost t o days straightX =/2">"S %$X%H3 1Then ent Sa'son to <a@a( and sa there a harlot( and ent in unto herA +And it as told the

282

<a@ites( saying( Sa'son is co'e hitherA And they co'passed hi' in( and laid ait for hi' all night in the gate of the city( and ere Ouiet all the night( saying( In the 'orning( hen it is day( e shall !ill hi'A 3And Sa'son lay till 'idnight( and arose at 'idnight( and too! the doors of the gate of the city( and the t o posts( and ent a ay ith the'( bar and all( and put the' upon his shoulders( and carIried the' up to the top of a hill that is before ,ebronA ,e then fell in love ith #elilah( and although she repeatedly betrayed hi' to the Philistines( he as too ea! to resist her seductive char's and finally revealed to her the secret of his great strengthA The five heads of the Philistine nation had each offered #elilah %(%$$ pieces of silver so that her total re ard in todays 'oney ould have been about `3($$$( certainly a handso'e su' in vie of >udas1 later betrayal of "hrist for only thirty pieces of silverA #elilah tried desperately to get Sa'son to reveal the secret of his strength( but Sa'son led her off the trac! ith a heA At first( he told her that he ould be totally incapacitated if his hands ere tied ith seven ra leather bo Istrings 9 ithes:A 3ubcfes %5&0B; &And it ca'e to pass after ard( that he loved a o'an in the valley of Sore!( hose na'e as #elilahA ^And the lords of the Philistines ca'e up unto her( and said unto her( Entice hi'( and see herein his great strength lieth( and by hat 'eans e 'ay prevail against hi'( that e 'ay bind hi' to afflict hi'& and e ill give thee every one of us eleven hundred pieces of silverA GAnd #elilah said to Sa'son( Tell 'e( I pray thee(

283

hereIin thy great strength lieth( and here ith thou 'ightest be bound to afflict theeA And Sa'son said unto her( If they bind 'e ith seven green ithes that ere never dried( then shall I be ea!( and P^[SSWS>Sb ' W'sSSS'Ss copter FBcj$ %;;

be as another 'anA 1Then the lords of the Philistines brought up to her seven green ithes hich had not been dried( and she bound hi' ith the'A ;7o there ere 'en lying in ait( abiding ith her in the cha'berA And she said unto hi'( The Philistines be upon thee( Sa'sonA And he bra!e the ithes( as a thread of to is bro!en hen it toucheth the fireA So his strength as not !no nA ,e next told her that his strength ould leave hi' if he ere tied ith brand ne ropeA 3ub9DeS %5&%$B%+ %$And #elilah said unto Sa'son( Behold( thou hast 'oc!ed 'e( and told 'e lies& no tell 'e( I pray thee( here ith thou 'ightest be boundA GAnd he said unto her( If they bind 'e fast ith ne ropes that never ere occupied( then shall I be ea!( and be as another 'anA I+#eli1lah therefore too! ne ropes( and bound hi' there ith( and said unto hi'( The Philistines be upon thee( Sa'sonA And there ere ,ers in ait abiding in the cha'berA And he bra!e the' fro' off his ar's li!e a threadA The next fabrication as that his strength ould ither if his hair ere oven into a loo'A 3ll9Xee` %5&%3B%0 I3And #elilah said unto Sa'son( ,itherto thou hast 'oc!ed 'e( and told 'e lies& tell 'e here ith thou 'ightest be boundA And he said unto her( If thou eavest the seven loc!s of 'y head ith the ebA

284

GAnd she fastened it ith the pin( and said unto hi'( The Philistines be upon thee( Sa'sonA And he a a!ed out of his sleep( and ent a ay ith the pin of the bea'( and ith the ebA 4inally( #elilah nagged at Sa'son every day until he could stand it no longer and he confessed the true secret of his strengthA 3ubaeeS %5&%3B%6 I3And she said unto hi'( ,o canst thou say( I love thee( hen thine heart is not ith 'eP Thou hast 'oc!ed 'e these three ti'es( and hast not told 'e herein thy great strength liethA %5And it ca'e to pass( hen she pressed hi' daily ith her ords( and urged hi'( so that his soul as vexed unto death?1G that he told her all his heart( and said unto her( There +$$ iTfDeDXFBFateb Fi5fe M (( M1^F B FC^F>FNFaGNr C hath not co'e a ra@or upon 'ine head? for I have been a 7a@arite unto <od fro' 'y 'other1s o'b& if I be shaven( then 'y strength ill go fro' 'e( and I shall beco'e ea!( and be li!e any other 'anA She then betrayed hi' into the hands of the Philistines and collected her re ardA 3ubaDeS %5&%5B+$ I8And hen #elilah sa that he had told her all his heart( she sent and called for the lords of the Philistines( saying( "o'e up this once( for he hath sho ed 'e all his heartA Then the lords of the Philistines ca'e up unto her( and brought 'oney in their handA I;And she 'ade hi' sleep upon her !nees? and she called for a 'an( and she caused hi' to shave off the seven loc!s of his head? and she began to afflict hi'( and his strength ent

285

fro' hi'A +$And she said( The Philistines be upon thee( Sa'sonA And he a o!e out of his sleep( and said( I ill go out as at other ti'es before( and sha!e 'yselfA And he ist not that the -ord as departed fro' hi'A The Philistines blinded Sa'son and put hi' in prison and his hair began to gro again hile he as thereA 3ub9DeS %5&+%B++ +IBut the Philistines too! hi'( and put out his eyes( and brought hi' do n to <a@a( and bound hi' ith fetters of brass? and he did grind in the prison houseA G,o beit the hair of his head began to gro again after he as shavenA #uring a feast honoring the Philistine god #agon( Sa'son as brought to the festival to provide the guests ith so'e a'using diversionA At least one co''entator argues cogently that since the Philistines ere phallic orshippers( hen they called for Sa'son to G'a!e us sport(G they ere really as!ing for Sa'son to put on a Der!Boff display for their a'use'entA 9RA EA -A )asters in The "radle of Erotica( pA%%3A: This sa'e historian points out that the 'ost logical reason for the Philistines to ant to capIture Sa'son as to have hi' provide stud service for any and all Philistine o'en in order to breed a nation of super'enA ,e vie s the hole Sa'son epic as the 7ear Eastern counterpart of the ,ercules of *estern 'ythology hose sexploits resulted fro' superhu'an virility( pro ess and potencyA FF>FSBFM(MM&F&NPFSMSMBAM1M FMM >MJ> "fDapter `tfhDBaWigo +$%

3ubFeS %5&+3B+3 +3Then the lords of the Philistines gathered the' together for to offer a great sacrifice unto

286

#agon their god( and to reDoice& for they said( 2ur god hath delivered Sa'son our ene'y into our handA +0And hen the people sa hi'( they praised their god& for they said( 2ur god hath delivered into our hands our ene'y( and the destroyer of our country( hich sle 'any of usA +1And it ca'e to pass( hen their hearts ere 'erry( that they said( "all for Sa'son( that he 'ay 'a!e us sportA And they called for Sa'son out of the prison house? and he 'ade the' sport& and they set hi' bet een the pillarsA Sa'son as!ed per'ission to lean on the pillars of the house and it as grantedA ,e called upon >ehovah to rene his strength and pulled the pillars do n bringing about his o n death as ell as the death of all ho ere asse'bled thereA `ubg"` %5&+5B3% +5And Sa'son said unto the lad that held hi' by the hand( Suffer 'e that I 'ay feel the pillars hereupon the house standeth( that I 'ay lean upon the'A +67o the house as full of 'en and o'en? and all the lords of the Philistines ere there? and there ere upon the roof about three thousand 'en and o'en( that beheld hile Sa'son 'ade sportA +8And Sa'son called unto the -ord( and said( 2 -ord <od( re'e'ber 'e( I pray thee( and strengthen 'e( I pray thee( only this once( 2 <od( that I 'ay be at once avenged on the Philistines for 'y t o eyesA +;And Sa'son too! hold of the t o 'iddle pillars upon hich the house stood( and on hich it as borne up( of the one ith his right hand( and of the other ith his leftA 3$And Sa'son said( -et 'e die ith the

287

PhilistinesA And he bo ed hi'self ith all his 'ight? and the house fell upon the lords( and upon all the people that ere thereinA So the dead hich he sle at his death ere 'ore than they hich he sle in his lifeA 3%Then his brethren and all the house of his father ca'e do n( and too! hi'( and brought hi' up( and buried hi' bet een Zorah and Eshta1ol in the buryingplace of )ano1ah his fatherA And he Dudged Israel t enty yearsA And thus ends one of the 'ost celebrated of all Bible love stories( for it has inspired operas( boo!s( 'ovies and paintingsA It also is a favorite children1s Bible tale( but only in a 'uch bo dleri@ed versionA +$+ SfDeF5BKteb Si5fe

"hapter 33 .ing Ahasuerus #itches =ueen Cashti 4or Esther

A,AS/ER/S *AS 727E 2T,ER T,A7 T,E <REAT A7# EXTRACA<A7T Persian e'peror XerxesA ,is Oueen as Cashti and at the conclusion of a sixB'onthBlong stag party( he co''anded that Cashti pro'enade before his drun!en guests so that they could appreciate her great beautyA This Cashti refused to do and Xerxes booted her out of the palace and sent a decree to all his !ingdo' so that all the young virgins of the e'pire 'ight co'e to the royal palace and co'pete for Cashti s throneA "stfDer +&%B0 1Aft er these things( hen the rath of !ing Ahasuerus as appeased( he re'e'bered Cashti( and hat she had done( and hat as decreed against herA +Then said the !ing1s servants that 'inistered unto hi'( -et there be fair young virgins sought for the !ing& 3and let the !ing appoint officers in all the provinces of his !ingdo'( that they 'ay gather together all the fair young virgins unto Shushan the palace( to the house of the o'en( unto the custody of ,ege the !ing1s cha'berlain( !eeper of the o'en? and let their things for purification

288

be given the'& 0and let the 'aiden hich pleaseth the !ing be Oueen instead of CashtiA And the thing pleased the !ing? and he did soA )ordecai( ho as already in the !ing1s palace( brought his cousin Esther to the palace to enter the co'petitionA "stfDer +&3B6 37o in Shushan the pal ace there as a certain >e ( hose na'e as )or1decai( the son of >a1ir( the son of Shi'1eBi( the son of .ish( a BenDa'ite? 5 ho had been carried a ay fro' >erusale' ith the captivity hich had been carried a ay ith >econi1ah !ing of >udah( ho' 7ebuchadne@1@ar the !ing of Babylon had carried a ayA And he brought up ,adas1sah( that is( Esther( his uncle1s daughter& for she had neither father nor 'other( and the 'aid as fair and beautiful? ho' )or1decai( hen her father and 'other ere dead( too! for his o n daughterA The eunuch in charge of the !ing1s hare' as ,egai and he favored Esther by giving her seven fe'ale attendants and a private apart'entA Esthers cousin % "fDapta >tftyBFree fSSSS''FSSff[ +$3

)ordecai had arned Esther not to reveal that she as a >e ess and he visited her daily in her OuartersA 9SstfDer +&8B%% 8So 33BC2T, 8TF F'F f5R FgtfWZ1 it ca'e to pass( hen the !ing1s co''andI'ent and his decree as heard( and hen 'any 'aidens ere

289

gathered together unto Shushan the palace( to the custody of ,e1gai( that Esther as brought also unto the !ing1s house( to the custody of ,e1gai( !eeper of the o'enA 1And the 'aiden pleased hi'( and she obtained !indness of hi'? and he speedily gave her her things for purification( ith such things as belonged to her( and seven 'aidens( hich ere 'eet to be given her( out of the !ing1s house& and he preferred her and her 'aids unto the best place of the house of the o'enA 1GEsther had not sho ed her people nor her !indred& for )or1decai had charged her that she should not sho itA GAnd )or1decai al!ed every day before the court of the o'en1s house( to !no ho Esther did( and hat should beco'e of herA The purification and preparation rites engaged in are of especial interest& one full year( the first half of hich as devoted to beauty treat'ents and the second half of hich as a sixB'onth stint of perfu'ing and application of oint'entsA After this oneByear period of cos'etic foreplay( the virgin as finally ready to spend the night ith the !ing ho ould nor'ally sleep ith her only onceA /nless he found special delight in her char's and sexual pro ess( she 'oved on into the second hare' of the palace and re'ained there on tapA 9"BSti>"T Z1A%ZM %0 %+7o hen every 'aid1s turn as co'e to go in to !ing Ahasue1rus( after that she had been t elve 'onths( according to the 'anner of the o'en( 9for so ere the days of +$0 dS>DeFBStateb Vt5fe )SSS

290

fBF ^PB^P([[ d

their purifications acco'plished( to it( six 'onths ith oil of 'yrrh( and six 'onths ith s eet odors( and ith other things for the purifying of the o'en(: Gthen thus ca'e every 'aiden unto the !ing? hatsoever she desired as given her to go ith her out of the house of the o'en unto the !ing1s houseA I0In the evening she ent( and on the 'orro she returned into the second house of the o'en( to the custody of ShaBash1ga@( the !ing1s cha'berlain( hich !ept the concubines& she ca'e in unto the !ing no 'ore( except the !ing delighted in her( and that she ere called by na'eA *hen Esther1s turn ca'e to go to bed ith the !ing( she so pleased Ahasuerus that he set the royal cro n on her head and i''ediately put her in Cashti s placeA She 'ust have been Ouite a bedroo' virtuosaX bstfDer +&%3B%8 %37o hen the turn of Esther( the daughter of Ab1ihail the uncle of )or1decai( ho had ta!en her for his daughter( as co'e to go in unto the !ing( she reOuired nothing but hat ,e1gai the !ing1s cha'berlain( the !eeper of the o'en( appointedA And Esther obtained favor in the sight of all the' that loo!ed upon herA I5So Esther as ta!en unto !ing Ahasue1rus into his house royal in the tenth 'onth( hich is the 'onth Tebeth( in the seventh year of his reignA 11And the !ing loved Esther above all the o'en( and she obtained grace and favor in his

291

sight 'ore than all the virgins? so that he set the royal cro n upon her head( and 'ade her Oueen instead of CashtiA I8Then the !ing 'ade a great feast unto all his princes and his servants( even Esthers feast? and he 'ade a release to the provinces( and gave gifts( according to the state of the !ingA The story has a happy endingA Since Esther had not revealed to Xerxes that she as a >e ess( she as later able to exert her royal influence ith the !ing and prevent an antiBSe'itic bloodbath fro' occurringA And all she had sacIrificed as her virginityX A FG" 3FA n [s "fDapter >vftyB1SfDree +$3

Part %3 Sexual Potency And ReDuvenation

"fDapter `ift(yBSour <I#E27 SIRES SECE7TQB27E S27S +$6 "fDapter FiftyBFtoe S2-2)271S T,2/SA7# A7# 27E *2)E7 +$6 "fDapter cifttDB`yr .I7< #ACI#1S RECICA- *IT, 4E)A-E B2#Q 4RI"TI27 +$s

292

"hapter 30 <I#E27 SIRES SECE7TQB27E S27S

`ubgt` 8&+8B3+ +8Thus as )id1ian subdued before the chilIdren of Israel( so that they lifted up their heads no 'oreA And the country as in Ouietness forty years in the days of <ideonA +;And >erubba1al the son of >o1ash ent and d elt in his o n houseA 3$And <ideon had threescore and ten sons of his body begotten& for he had 'any ivesA 3IAnd his concubine that as in Sheche'( she also bare hi' a son( hose na'e he called Abi'1elechA 3+And <ideon the son of >o1ash died in a good old age( and as buried in the sepulchre of >o1ash his father( in 2ph1Brah of the AbiBe@1ritesA <ideon is included in this section only because he is the na'esa!e of the fa'ous Society of <ideons responsible for placing Bibles in virtually every noo! and cranny of every hotel and 'otel roo' in the hostelries of A'erica and 'ore than %03 foreign countriesA 2rgani@ed in %8;8 in a *isconsin hotel roo'( this group of funda'entalist business'en dedicated itself to Gso ing the precious Seed( the ord of <od( in the field of the orldAG <ideon fathered seventyBone sons 9no daughtersP:( and although this is certainly no dastardly act( he acco'plished it ith 'any ives and a concubineA 4unda'entalists ho 'a!e up groups li!e the <ideons al ays preach that 'orality is absolute( never relativeA Qet if one ere to as! the' hy 'en today cannot i'itate <ideon and have a lot of ives plus a fe 'istresses here and there( the reply ould doubtless be( GBut ti'es have changed and e are living under a ne dispensationAG If ti'es have changed( then 'orality is relative and not

293

absolute( or is itP As e sa in "hapter 3$( <ideon as responsible for setting up a phallic idol hich so 'es'eri@ed the Israelites that they ent Ga horing after itG and ere enticed into the sex orship and idolatry hich >ehovah anted desperately for the' to esche A Perhaps this over@ealous group of Bible fans should consider rena'ing their organi@ation before putting any 'ore Bibles in any 'ore innsX

"hapter 33 S2-2)271S T,2/SA7# A7# 27E *2)E7

I .irt"eS %%&%B3 1But !ing Solo'on loved 'any strange o'en( together ith the daughter of Pharaoh( o'en of the )oabites( A''onites( Edo'ites( Zido1nians( and ,ittites? +of the nations concerning hich the -ord said unto the children of feFFFFFFCrFFFBF*FCFBvF! M [ "hapter `tftyB`tge +$6

Israel( Qe shall not go in to the'( neither shall they co'e in unto you& for surely they ill turn a ay your heart after their gods& Solo'on clave unto these in loveA 3And he had seven hundred ives( princesses( and three hundred concubines& and his ives turned a ay his heartA Solo'on1s hare' included seven hundred ives and three hundred 'isItressesA If e add to that nu'ber the na'e of Abishag( the Shuna''ite( ho' Solo'on presu'ably 'e'oriali@ed in his great Song of Songs( he then

294

had a total bevy of one thousand and one fe'alesA In Biblical ti'es( the only li'itation on the nu'ber of ives or 'istresses ere a 'an1s financial resources and the available supply of o'enA The la placed no li'it on the nu'ber of ivesA Solo'on1s father( #avid( 'arried eight ives specifically and later added 'any 'ore o'en to his court hare'A Biblical polyga'y( therefore( 'ust be considered as a 'atter 'ore of prestige than of sensualityA Cie ed in that light( it is not unli!e the prestige afforded to the t oBcar fa'ily in today1s A'ericaA But ith such a stable of o'en readily at hand( Solo'on surely 'ust have indulged his passions 'ore than he ould have in a 'onoga'ous roleA

"hapter 35 .I7< #ACI#1S RECICA- *IT, 4E)A-E B2#Q 4RI"TI27

I `ing` %&%M0 X7o !ing #avid as old and stric!en in years? and they covered hi' ith clothes( but he gat no heatA +*herefore his servants said unto hi'( -et there be sought for 'y lord the !ing a young virgin& and let her stand before the !ing( and let her cherish hi'( and let her lie in thy boso'( that 'y lord the !ing 'ay get heatA 3So they sought for a fair da'sel throughout all the coasts of Israel( and found Ab1ishag a Shu1na''ite( and brought her to the !ingA 0And the da'sel as very fair( and cherished the !ing( and 'inistered to hi'& but the !ing !ne her notA *hen .ing #avid felt chilled in his sic!bed and he needed to be ar'ed( the chronicler does not clarify hy it as so urgent to have a young virgin brought to #avid1s bed to revive hi' and to ar' hi'A Although the text assures

295

us that #avid did not G!no G young Abishag( Dudging by his previous record( he assuredly ould have ravished her if it had not been for his +$8 agra:e D2Bgfatteb =Si5fe advanced age and his enfeebled conditionHa hardBon as clearly out of the OuestionX #avid1s elder son( AdoniDah( fell deeply in love ith Abishag and anted to 'arry herA #espite the evidence that Abishag served #avid strictly as a nurse and slept ith hi' for 'edical purposes only( AdoniDah1s desire for 'arriage as actually conIsidered to be incestuous since Abishag really belonged to #avidA After a period during hich AdoniDah tried to set up a !ingdo' independent of his father #avid( AdoniDahs rebelIlion as OuelledA ,e then ent to Bathsheba in peace to as! her to intercede ith Solo'on( for Solo'on as no officially the !ingA Bathsheba told Solo'on of AdoniDah1s desire to 'arry Abishag( but Solo'on beca'e so outraged that he ordered AdoniDah1s i''ediate executionA There are really three explanations for this sadistic revenge of Solo'on& IA Solo'on considered AdoniDah1s reOuest to be incestuous and therefore a seriIous infraction of the ,ebre 'oral la ? +A AdoniDah1s reOuest to have Abishag as tanta'ount( in Solo'ons eyes( to a reOuest for half of #avid1s !ingdo' hich he no had for his very o n and hich he as not about to share ith his rebellious elder brother? 3A Solo'on hi'self as attracted

296

to AbishagA )any co''entators attribute the Song of Solo'on to Solo'on1s deep and abiding love for Abishag hich he therefore i''ortali@ed in that peerless love paean 9see "hapter 38:A I )ng` +&%3B+3 GAnd Ado'1Dah the son of ,aggith ca'e to BathBshe1ba the 'other of Solo'onA And she said( "o'est thou peaceablyP And he said( PeaceablyA I0,e said 'oreover( I have so'e hat to say unto theeA And she said( Say onA I3And he said( Thou !no est that the !ingdo' as 'ine( and that all Israel set their faces on 'e( that I should reign& ho beit the !ingdo' is FBrFBiB FFJi LB[ iBi ?\ri i!4FBfTse iiFii r "hapter frtftyBSiDe +$;

+%$ biDeFBKVeb 3)5fe gFFFFFFFXF) turned about( and is beco'e 'y brothers& for it as his fro' the -ordA I5And no I as! one petition of thee( deny 'e notA And she said unto hi'( Say onA 1And he said( Spea!( I pray thee( unto Solo'on the !ing( 9for he ill not say thee nay: that he give 'e Ab1ishag the Shu1na''ite to ifeA I8And BathBshe1ba said( *ell? I ill spea! for thee unto the !ingA I;BathBshe1ba therefore ent unto !ing Solo'on( to spea! unto hi' for Adoni1DahA And the !ing rose up to 'eet her( and bo ed hi'self unto her( and sat do n on his throne( and caused a seat to be set for the !ing1s 'other? and she sat on his right handA +$Then she said( I desire one s'all petition of thee? I pray thee( say 'e not nayA And the !ing said unto her( As! on( 'y 'other? for I ill not say thee nayA +IAnd she said( -et Ab1ishag the Shu1na''ite be given to Adoni1Dah thy brother to ifeA GAnd !ing Solo'on ans ered and said unto his 'other( And

297

hy dost thou as! Ab1ishag the Shu1na''ite for Adoni1DahP as! for hi' the !ingdo' also? for he is 'ine elder brother? even for hi'( and for Abi1Bathar the priest( and for >o1ab the son of ZeruBi1ahA +3Then !ing Solo'on s are by the -ord( saying( <od do so to 'e and 'ore also( if Adoni1Dah have not spo!en this ord against his o n lifeA +07o therefore( as the -ord liveth( hich hath estabIlished 'e( and set 'e on the throne of #avid 'y father( and ho hath 'ade 'e a house( as he pro'ised( Adoni1Dah shall be put to death this dayA +iAnd !ing Solo'on sent by the hand of Benai1ah the son of >ehoi1ada? and he fell upon hi' that he diedA

Part %5 In Praise 2f -ove

"fDapter (`ifhDB`eixn R/T, PR2P2SITI27S B2AZ A7# S,A".S /P 2CER7I<,T I7 A BAR7 +%+ "fDapter `ifhDBbyrDt S2-2)271S STEA)Q S27< 24 -2CE +%3

"hapter 36 Ruth Propositions Boa@ And Shac!s /p 2vernight In A Barn

R/T, *AS T,E *I#2*E# #A/<,TERBI7B-A* 24 7A2)IA 7ao'i encouraged her to return to her people after the death of her husband( but Ruth insisted on staying on ith the fa'ous ords& =RlltfD % &i5B%6 I5And Ruth said( Entreat 'e not to leave thee( or to return fro' follo ing after thee& for hither thou goest( I ill go? and here thou lodgest( I ill lodge& thy people shall be 'y people( and thy <od 'y

298

<od?&11 here thou diest( ill I die( and there ill I be buried& the -ord do so to 'e( and 'ore also( if aught but death part thee and 'eA 7ao'i had a ealthy !ins'an na'ed Boa@ and she felt that a 'atch bet een Ruth and Boa@ ould be a good thing for the' bothA 7ao'i instructed Ruth to go to Boa@1s barn and to ait until Boa@ had retired before going to lie at his side and spend the night ith hi'A Ruth agreed to carry out 7ao'i1s instructionsA Ff"/tfD 3[FH3 1Then 7aBo1'i her 'otherBinBla said unto her( )y daughter( shall I not see! rest for thee( that it 'ay be ell ith theeP +And no is not Boa@ of our !indred( ith hose 'aidens thou astP Behold( he inno eth barley tonight in the threshingfloorA 3*ash thyself therefore( and anoint thee( and put thy rai'ent upon thee( and get thee do n to the floor? but 'a!e not thyself !no n unto the 'an( until he shall have done eating and drin!ingA 0And it shall be( hen he lieth do n( that thou shalt 'ar! the place here he shall lie( and thou shalt go in( and uncover his feet( and lay thee do n? and he ill tell thee hat thou shalt doA 3And she said unto her( All that thou sayest unto 'e I ill doA That night( she ent to the barn and lay do n at Boa@1s feet after Boa@ had eaten and drun!A *hen Boa@ turned in his sleep at 'idnight( he discovered Ruth there at his feetA ,e as delighted to learn that Ruth anted to 'arry hi' instead of a younger 'an and he pro'ised to ta!e care of all details for the eddingA

299

+%+ \SB AAA

aWfDeFB+.ateW Si5fe AAA iFsA (AiA Ai ABGv Jf(

rgi =ftutfD 3&5B%% 5And she ent do n unto the floor( and did according to all that her 'otherBinBla bade herA 6And hen Boa@ had eaten and drun!( and his heart as 'erry( he ent to lie do n at the end of the heap of corn& and she ca'e softly( and uncovered his feet( and laid her do nA 8And it ca'e to pass at 'idnight( that the 'an as afraid( and turned hi'self& and( behold( a o'an lay at u'covs his feetA ;And he said( *ho art thouP And she ans ered( I a' Ruth thine hand'aid& spread therefore thy s!irt over thine hand'aid? for thou art a near !ins'anA I$And he said( Blessed be thou of the -ord( 'y daughter& for thou hast sho ed 'ore !indness in the latter end than at the beginning( inas'uch as thou follo edst not young 'en( hether poor or richA GAnd no ( 'y daughter( fear not? I ill do to thee all that thou reOuirest for all the city of 'y people doth !no that thou art a virtuous o'anA ere as one proble' confronting the' both( ho everA 7ao'i had a living relative than Boa@ and( according to the ,ebre custo'( he 'ust e offered Ruth1s hand in 'arriageA =9 ti: 3[%+H%3 I+And no it is true that I a' thy near !insI'an& ho beit there is a !ins'an nearer than IA GTarry

300

this night( and it shall be in the 'orning( that if he ill perfor' unto thee the part of a !ins'an( ell? let hi' do the !ins'an1s part& but if he ill not do the part of a !ins'an to thee( then ill I do the part of a !ins'an to thee( as the -ord liveth& lie do n until the 'orningA

"fDapter Stft(yBSegen

+%3

Ruth spent the entire night ith Boa@A ,e sent her on her ay before dayIbrea! in order to avoid any unnecessary gossip in the neighborhoodA ,e 'ade Ruth ta!e ith her about a bushel and a half of barley in her sha lA =Rutt> 3,0H%3 GAnd she lay at his feet until the 'orning& and she rose up before one could !no anotherA And he said( -et it not be !no n that a o'an ca'e into the floorA l3Also he said( BringG the veil that thou hast upon thee( and hold itA And hen she held it( he 'easured six 'easures of barley( and laid it on her& and she ent into the cityA *hen Ruth related all of these events to 7ao'i( she assured Ruth that Boa@ as a 'an of his ord and that he ould resolve the situation that very dayA =ftutfD 3&%5B%S I5And hen she ca'e to her 'otherBinBla ( she said( *ho art thou( 'y daughterP And she told her all that the 'an had done to herA GAnd she said( These six 'easures of barley gave he 'e? for he said to 'e( <o not e'pty unto thy 'otherBinBla A I8Then said she( Sit still( 'y daughter( until thou !no ho the 'atter ill fall& for the 'an ill not be in rest( until he have finished the thing this dayA

301

The story has a happy ending( for hen 7ao'i1s nearest relative learned that the property belonging to 7ao'i1s deceased son as for sale( he as interIested in purchasing itA ,e declined the offer( ho ever( hen he discovered that purchasing the property ould reOuire his 'arriage to RuthA This left Boa@ free to see! Ruth1s hand hich he did( and they ere happily 'arriedA At least one 'odern riter refuses to believe that no sexual liberties too! place bet een Ruth and Boa@A RevA To' ,orner( riting in Sex in the Bih!( pA %+5( says& In the little boo! of Ruth there is a very unusual reference in hich the ord GfeetG is clearly a euphe'is' for the 'ale geniItals A A A There in the 'iddle of the night( she Guncovered his feet( and lay do nAG She as obviously 'a!ing a 'arriage proIposal to an older 'an ho never drea'ed that she ould be interested in hi'A ,o do e !no that it is a 'arriage proposal and not Dust a propositionP Because if Boa@ had not received perI'ission the next day fro' Ruth1s nearest of !in to 'arry her( and if her escapade ith hi' ere later discovered through her +%0 CfDcfiBFateb =3i5fe P>FFZ? SFZT>[B MBT MZ >rF C [ pregnancy( the poor girl ould have been stoned as an adulteressA 4or she still belonged to her dead husband( so to spea!( until given in 'arriage to anotherA According to ,orner1s interpretation( Ruth propositioned Boa@ by Ouite literally thro ing herself at his GfeetAG

"hapter 38 Solo'on1s Stea'y Song 2f -ove

302

AT T,E "2/7"I- 24 >A)7IA I7 AA#A %$$( T,E S27< 24 S27<S as fir'ly loc!ed into the canon of the ,oly ScripturesA The 'ore prudish of Biblical apologists have atte'pted to represent the co'position as an allegory of the love of >ehovah for Israel or of "hrist for the "hurchA 2ne 'ust stretch the i'agination so'e hat to conceive of Israel or the "hurch ith hite s!in( eyes li!e doves( the hair dyed blac! or purple ith henna( even teeth( scarlet lips( a pro'inent nose( rosy te'ples( long straight hair( fir' breasts( round full thighs( a round belly( a figure as erect as a pal' tree and beautiful stepsA 2ther scholars of a 'ore liberal bent have interpreted the Song of Songs as an ancient 'arriage cantata( sung by soloists and chorus antiphonally to celebrate a eddingA But realistic Bible co''entators have ad'itted that it is Dust hat it appears to be& a sensuous and sensual hy'n praising the Doys and ecstasies of carnal love( and here the su'ptuous English of the .ing >a'es Cersion only serves to intensify that analysisA There are eight chapters in this exOuisitely beautiful love poe'( but only a fe stan@as ill suffice to reveal the earthy e'phasis on physical love( the love Solo'on felt for Abishag( the Shuna''iteA .ISSI7<( T,E BEST 42R) 24 42REP-AQ Song of Solo'on %%+ -et hi' !iss 'e ith the !isses of his 'outh& for thy love is better than ineA A#)IRATI27 42R *E--B42R)E# BREASTS Song of Sofo'on 0&3B5 3Thy t o breasts are li!e t o young roes that are t ins( hich feed a'ong the liliesA 5/ntil the day brea!( and the shado s flee a ay( I ill get

303

'e to the 'ounItain of 'yrrh( and to the hill of fran!incenseA BBFF I(( r F "hapter 3ifh:Bbt3fDt +%3 Song of Sofo'on 6&5B; G,o fair and ho pleasant art thou( 2 love( for delightsX This thy stature is li!e to a pal' tree( and thy breasts to clusters of grapesA 8I said( I ill go up to the pal' tree( I ill ta!e hold of the boughs thereof& no also thy breasts shall be as clusters of the vine( and the s'ell of thy nose li!e apples? ;and the roof of thy 'outh li!e the best ine for 'y beloved( that goeth do n s eetly( causing the lips of those that are asleep to spea!A Song of Sofo'on `&` H%$ 8*e have a little sister( and she hath no breasts& hat shall e do for our sister in the day hen she shall be spo!en forP ;If she be a all( e ill build upon her a palace of silver& and if she be a door( e ill enclose her ith boards of cedarA I$I a' a all( and 'y breasts li!e to ers& then as I in his eyes as one that found favourA CIS/A- A7# 2-4A"T2RQ STI)/-A7TS T2 SEX Song of Solo'on 0 %% Behold( thou art fair( 'y love? behold( thou art fair? thou hast doves1 eyes ith thy loc!s& thy hair is as a floc! of goats( that appear fro' 'ount <il1eBadA Song of Solo'on 5&3 Turn a ay thine eyes fro' 'e( for they have overco'e 'e& thy hair is as a floc! of goats that

304

appear fro' <il1eBadA +%5 erfie FBFateb Fi5fe [''''''F'''''''s' Song 2f Sofont2n 0&%$B%% I$,o fair is thy love( 'y sister( 'y spouseX ,o 'uch better is thy love than ineX

and the s'ell of thine oint'ents than all spicesX GThy lips( 2 'y spouse( drop as the honeyco'b& honey and 'il! are under thy tongue? and Bthe s'ell of thy gar'ents is li!e the s'ell of -ebanonA 2RA- ER2TI"IS) 9T,E 4RE7",( S2/-( 2R T27</E .ISS: Song of Solo'on 0&%% Thy iips( o 'y spouse( drop as the honeyco'b& honey and 'il! are under thy tongue? and the s'ell( of thy gar'ents is li!e the s'ell of -ebanonA AP,R2#ISIA"S A7# 2T,ER SEX STI)/-A7TS SoncD of Solo'on 6&%%B%3 nc o'e( 'y beloved( let us go forth into the field? let us lodge in the villagesA %+-et us get up early to the vineyards? let us see if the vine flourish( hether the tender grape appear( and the po'egranates bud forth& there ill I give thee 'y lovesA I3The 'andra!es give a s'ell( and at our gates are all 'anner of pleasant fruits( ne and old( hich I have laid up for thee( 2 'y belovedA 94or definition of G'andra!es(G see "hapter 33A: Song of Sofo'on S& %L+ x2 that thou ert as 'y brother( that suc!ed the breasts of 'y 'otherX hen I should find thee ithout( I ould !iss thee? yea( I should not be despisedA +I ould lead thee( and bring thee into 'y 'others house( ho ould instruct 'e& I ould cause thee to drin! of spiced ine of the Duice of 'y po'egranateA -27<I7< 42R A7 ABSE7T -2CER

305

SoncD of Sofo'on 3&%B0 K night on 'y bed I sought hi' ho' 'y soul loveth& I sought hi'( but I found hi' notA +I ill rise no ( and go about the city in the streets( and in the broad ays I ill see! hi' ho' 'y soul loveth& I sought hi'( but I found hi' not 3The atch'en that go about the city found 'e& to ho' I said( Sa ye hi' ho' 'y soul lovethP 0It as but a little that I passed fro' the'( but I found hi' ho' 'y soul loveth& I held hi'( and ould not let hi' go( until I had brought hi' into 'y 'other1s house( and into the cha'ber of her that conceived 'eA FFFGFsFBSsfeF1FFFssFFFsFFFFFseFssF FIDupter FtTuDMFlylDt [DlJ

4E)A-E S/PI7E P2SITI27 42R SEX/A- I7TER"2/RSE Song 2f Solb'on 8&3 ,is left hand should be under 'y head( and his right hand should e'brace 'eA =ueen Cictoria had obviously fa'iliari@ed herself ith this passage hen she issued her fa'ous state'ent about the duty of ives to acco''odate their husbands in an era hen o'en ere never supposed to feel sexual desire or experience sexual gratificationA The 'onarch1s advice to her fe'ale subDects as( G-ie bac!( close your eyes and thin! of EnglandXG Today( e refer to the fe'aleBonBtheBbotto' posture as the G'issionary positionG but fe see' to !no the origin of the ter'A ,a aii and other Polynesian islands had a very sexBpositive culture before the "hristian 'isIsionaries arrivedA The natives considered it an art for' to be sure t.e fe'ale as sexually satisfiedA *hether by trial and error or fro' pure intuition( they rarely had sex ith the o'an belo the 'anA "onseOuently( hen

306

so'e of the natives pee!ed through the bedroo' indo s of the 'issionaries1 huts to see if they could learn any ne sex techniOues fro' their spiritual 'entors( they observed the' hu'ping a ay ith the ife underneathA They deduced that the 'ountaintop deity >ehovah had in fact dictated an ,th "o''and'ent to )oses an )tA Sinai& GThou shalt lie ith the 'an on topXG 4ro' then on( this configuration as dubbed the 'issionary positionA +%8 amlDcA`B;ftateW ;Wf5fe PSP PG

Part %6 #ECI- SEX A7# *IT","RA4T

"hapter FiftyB=fl'e "2,ABITATI27 *IT, #ECI-S ++$ "hapter SiDcty *IT",ES( *IZAR#S A7# 4A)I-IAR SPIRITS ++%

"hapter 3; "2,ABITATI27 *IT, #ECI-S

a3enests 5&%B8 1And it ca'e to pass( hen 'en began to 'ulItiply on the face of the earth( and daughters ere born unto the'( +that the sons of <od sa the daughters of 'en that they ere fair? and they too! the' ives of all hich they choseA 3And the -ord said( )y Spirit shall not al ays strive ith 'an( for that he also is flesh& yet his days shall be a hundred and t enty yearsA 0There ere giants in the earth in those days? and also after that( hen

307

the sons of <od ca'e in unto the daughters of 'en( and they bare children to the'( the sa'e beca'e 'ighty 'en hich ere of old( 'en of reno nA ^And <od sa that the ic!edness of 'an as great in the earth( and that every i'agination of the thoughts of his heart as only evil continuallyA 5And it repented the -ord that he had 'ade 'an on the earth( and it grieved hi' at his heartA And the -ord said( I ill destroy 'an ho' I have created fro' the face of the earth? both 'an( and beast( and the creeping thing( and the fo ls of the air? for it repenteth 'e that I have 'ade the'A 8But 7oah found grace in the eyes of the -ordA >ohn )ilton1s 'asterpiece Paradise -ost as based on this excerpt fro' <enesis as ell as on a section fro' RevelationA %Z1A>M; 1And there as ar in heaven& )ichael and his angels fought against the dragon? and the dragon fought and his angels( 8and prevailed not? neither as their place found any 'ore in heavenA 1And the great dragon as cast out( that old serpent( called the #evil( and Satan( hich deceiveth the hole orld& he as cast out into the earth( and his angels ere cast out ith hi'A The Gsons of <odG 'entioned above are the angels ho rebelled along ith -ucifer and ho ere cast out fro' heaven ith hi' because of their disobedienceA >ust as Satan( alias -ucifer( too! great delight in entering the <arden of Eden and in causing the do nfall of >ehovah1s latest venture in creation( so also did these fallen angels delight in choosing a'ong the fairest of earth1s o'en and( by cohabiting ith the'( populating the earth ith so 'any i''oral and rebellious creatures that >ehovah eventually repented of his earth experi'ent and vo ed to blot out all earthlings and to start ane A

308

++$ 2DeFBSta[ Sififc FSffiFF"Tn/SiSSX This decision led( of course( to singling out 7oah and his clan as the only hu'ans orthy of survival( to 7oah1s ar! and to the <reat #eluge hich engulfed the thenB!no n orldA 2ne cannot help onder hy the o'niscient >ehovah created hu'an!ind in the first place !no ing full ell that their ic!edness ould soon necessitate their o n destructionA

"hapter 5$ *itches( *i@ards( And 4a'iliar Spirits

T,E BIB-I"A- "27#E)7ATI27 24 *IT",ES( *IZAR#S A7# T,2SE ho had fa'iliar spirits is spelled out in uneOuivocal ter's& bDeobliS ++n8 Thou shalt not suffer a itch to liveA %;B3F Regard not the' that have fa'iliar spirits( neither see! after i@ards( to be defiled by the'& I a' the -ord your <odA sSa\iti"/S +$&5 And the soul that turneth after such as have fa'iliar spirits( and after i@ards( to go a horing after the'( I ill even set 'y face against that soul( and ill cut hi' off fro' a'ong his peopleA Z21AZ> A 'an also or o'an that hath a fa'iliar spirit( or that is a i@ard( shall surely be put to death& they shall stone the' ith stones? their blood shall be upon the'A S:e/ta2n2'y %8&%$B%% I$There shall not be found a'ong you any one that 'a!eth his son or his daughter to pass through the fire( or that useth divination( or an observer of ti'es( or an enchanter( or a itch( Gor a char'er( or a consulter ith fa'iliar spirits( or a i@ard( or a necro'ancerA It has been esti'ated that the above Ouotations decreeing death for itches have been responsible for as 'any as

309

nine 'illion executionsX But hat has all of this to do ith sexP Si'ply a radical change in vie Ipoint fro' Biblical ti'es to the ti'e of the InOuisitionA In Biblical ti'es( ++% itches( i@ards and those ith fa'iliar spirits ere loo!ed upon 'uch as e loo! upon 'ediu's and channelers todayA After Saul as estranged fro' >ehovah and did not !no ho to proceed in his battle against the Philistines( in desperation he consulted a itchA The account tells of his visiting a itch at the to n of Endor and she 'erely conDured up the spirit of Sa'uel for Saul so that Saul could Ouery the deceased prophet about hat the best course of action as in proceeding against the Philistines 9I Sa'uel +8&5H%0:A But by the end of the )iddle Ages( the #evil had ta!en on a specifically sexual Ouality and in a bull issued by Pope Innocent CIII( the #evil as henceIforth to be regarded as a person and not 'erely as a sy'bol of errorA ,is anato'y as described ith special attention given to his penis hich as al ays of enor'ous si@e and often even for!ed so that he could si'ultaneously penetrate a o'an vaginally and anallyA Attending the #evil as a host of lesser devils( and their exact nu'ber as given as 6(0$3(;+5A The itch 'ania reached its @enith ith its t o high priests( ,enry .ra'er and >a'es SprengerA These #o'inican friars sa evil in nearly every erotic 'anifestation and because of their t isted sexuality( they lavished

310

on the hu'an fe'ale the hatred generated ithin the'selves by their enforced celibacyA In %080( .ra'er and Sprenger published the despicable )alleus )alefica'' in their ho'e to n of "ologne( <er'anyA In )alleus( hich has been the 'ost influential or! ever published on itchcraft( they expressed their general loathing for all o'en& She is an i'perfect ani'al( she al ays deceives AAA All itchcraft co'es fro' carnal lust( hich is in o'an insatiableA *herefore for the sa!e of fulfilling their lusts they consort even ith devilsA RA EA -A )asters in his classical study of itchcraft( Eros and Evil( gives us a vivid picture of ho earnestly the Biblical inDunctions ere no carried out& Predictably( those ho hated the flesh beca'e obsessed by the fleshA InOuisitors and others ho dealt ith itches doted upon every erotic detail of the confessions and testi'ony( encouraged the 'orbid and the sensational( exa'ined na!ed itches for the #evil1s )ar! 9shaving their bodies the better to find it:( and in all displayed such sha'eless avidity in 'atters erotic as to provo!e public criticis'A +++ xBfDtyvBFateb Btcte FBFFFFFF1FFFFFFFFFFAF)[P The #evil1s )ar!( hich often rese'bled the foot of a hare or of a toad( as believed placed by ,i' on the flesh of each itch so that the itch could not atte'pt later to deny that a pact had been 'adeA It as often concealed in the fe'ale genitals and in the rectu'( and as anestheticA To 'a!e certain that so'e ble'ish as in fact the

311

#evils )ar!( long pins ould be inserted into the flesh of the itchA 2ne 'ay ell i'agine that sadists ere attracted to the or! of driving pins into the breasts and genitalia and other sensitive body parts of itchesA In Ba'berg( nine hundred persons ere burned bet een %5$; and %533( including the to n1s 'ayor( >ohannes >ulius( ho rote to his daughter& GIt is all falsehood and inventionA They never cease the torture until one says so'eIthingAG A bishop of <eneva burned five hundred in three 'onths and a bishop of *ir@burg( nine hundredA The senate of the to n of Savoy conde'ned eight hundred in a single bodyA Bet een %0$0 and %330( the ,oly 2ffice burned at least 3$($$$ itchesA The bloodiest outbrea! of itch 'ania as in Spain here TorOue'ada personally sent %$(++$ persons to the sta!e and ;6(36% to the galleysA But the 'ost i'portant point to all of these statistics is the change in e'phasisHno longer as itchcraft a Ouestion of the 'agical or the otherI orldly? it as no exclusively a pheno'enon of sexual congress ith the #evil or ith one of ,is Satanic )aDesty1s innu'erable hostA "learly( this planet Earth no belonged to Satan and >ehovah1s creation experi'ent had reached its nadirA

Epilogue
*E ,ACE EXA)I7E# T,E )A7Q A7# CARIE<ATE# PASSA<ES 4R2) the Bible on the subDect of hu'an sexuality

312

and the unspea!ably barbaric and draconian ,ebre 'oral code hich so severely conde'ned sexual ay ardness and nonconfor'ity that it exacted the death penalty for 'ere sexual peccadilloesA Those ho doubt that hat the Bible says about sex has any influence on our lives today need to recall a state'ent fro' Sexual Behavior in the ,u'an )ale( pA 086A Authors .insey( Po'eroy and )artin re'ind us that Gthe ancient reliIgious codes are still the pri'e sources of the attitudes( the ideas( the ideals( and the rationali@ations by hich 'ost individuals pattern their sexual livesAG ++3 As a fitting close( it is 'ost appropriate to Ouote t o Bible texts hich reflect a sane( healthy and refreshingly hedonistic vie on the subDect of hu'an!ind1s brief span on this earth and ho our un'itigated enDoy'ent of sex 'ight help to enhance our appreciation of this( the only life e can truly be assured of& 0[%% Again( if t o lie together( then they have heat& but ho can one be ar' aloneP 9Eccfestctstes ;&; M%$ 1-ive Doyfully ith the ife ho' thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity( hich he hath given thee under the sun( all the days of thy vanity& for that is thy portion in this life( and in thy labor hich thou ta!est under the sunA 1G*hatsoever thy hand findeth to do( do it ith thy 'ight? for there is no or!( nor device( nor !no ledge( nor isdo'( in the grave( hither thou goestA

313

After ord
)Q -I7. T2 A )ISSI7< AT,EIST& T,E )A#A-Q7 )/RRAQ1 21,air "onnection The 2ctober( %;53 issue of Playboy 'aga@ine featured an intervie ith )adalyn )urray hich began& G 1*hy are you an atheist( )rsA )urrayP1 Ans er& GBecause religion is a crutch and only the crippled need crutchesA1G /pon reading that re'ar!able article( I resolved to contact this outspo!en( 'ilitant nonbeliever to convey to her ho 'uch her courage and candor had inspired 'eA #uring the next several years( e corresponded( tal!ed freOuently by long distance and I eagerly Doined her crusade for the separation of church and stateA *hen I beca'e a 'e'ber of the faculty of /S" in %;6$( I as instruI'ental in having the no Bre'arried )adalyn )urray 21,air invited to the university as a spea!er for their <reat Issues 4oru'A In %;6+( she ca'e to the ca'pus and delivered a speech entitled G4reedo' 4ro' ReligionAG ,er 'ost 'e'orable co''ent as about ho critically religion and govern'ent support( depend on and need each otherA She expounded( GAfter all( if you can be taught to believe in the virgin birth( you can also be taught to believe in the 4ederal Reserve Syste'AG SubseOuent to her appearance in -os Angeles( publisher >ere'y Tarcher offered her a boo! contract to expand on the 'aterial of her freedo'Bfro'B ++0 FtfiBiiattb '! F0FFv&B(FA?F&AAGG(FVG religion the'e and I i''ediately offered to go to Austin during 'y su''er vacation that year to help ith bac!ground research for the 'anuscriptA I rented a s'all apart'ent near the general headOuarters of A'erican Atheists in order to be as close as possible to 'y heroineA The final result of our collaboration as 4reedo' /nder

314

Siege& The I'pact of 2rgani@ed Religion on Qour -iberty and Qour Poc!etboo! 9%;60:A At this point in 'y relationship ith )adalyn( I felt she could do no rongA I ad'ired her ith the sa'e adulation accorded any cult leader by a gungBho( @ealous convert to the causeA After 'y stint in Austin( I !ept in close touch ith her and hen 'v co'pleted 'anuscript of The XBRated Bible received one reDection slip after another fro' nu'erous publishers( I proposed to )adalyn that she consider printing it at her o n A'erican Atheist PressA She responded enthusiastically to the offer( co'pli'ented 'e profusely on the contents 9a rare act for a o'an never generous ith praise: and published 'y opus in %;83A )y sex spoof ent on to beco'e the allBti'e bestBseller of the offerings at her fir'( a rather a'a@ing feat considering that it as available al'ost exclusively by 'ail orderA )ainstrea' distributors and boo!stores refused to carry any titles fro' such an offbeat( controversial house( especially since the public 'ind auto'atically associated it ith the e'battled and antagonistic atheist leaderA Along ith this reputation( she had gleefully garnered the epithet of Gthe 'ost hated o'an in A'ericaAG By the ti'e the )urrayB21,airs 9)adalyn( son >on and granddaughter Robin: 'ysteriously disappeared off the face of the earth in Septe'ber( %;;3( 'y relationship ith the' had deteriorated to the extent that they stopped paying 'e royalties and definitely considered 'e persona non grata in the atheist co''unityA Enter Ada' Parfrey of 4eral ,ouseA The publisher found 'y anthology in a used boo! store( li!ed hat he read and felt that it deserved a reprint ith 'uch ider circulation and( for the first ti'e( distribution through

315

convenItional outletsA The present volu'e brings that vision to fruition at long lastA Ben Ed ard A!erley -os Angeles( "alifornia 7ove'ber( %;;8