Get Free Shipping on orders over $0
Empowered or Abused : the Bible's plan to stop battlefield rape and reduce sexual abuse - David Resnick

Empowered or Abused

the Bible's plan to stop battlefield rape and reduce sexual abuse

By: David Resnick

Hardcover | 25 August 2025

At a Glance

Hardcover


RRP $42.89

$41.99

or 4 interest-free payments of $10.50 with

 or 

Ships in 5 to 7 business days

What to do when a victorious soldier lusts for the beautiful woman he's just taken captive in an overseas war. In fact, her body already belongs to him as war booty. If they're alone in an alley, no one will find out what he does to her. That's the incendiary situation to which the Bible responds with the Beautiful Captive Law. The Bible's first step was to stop battlefield rape and protect the vulnerable woman from the powerful soldier. More than that, the Bible has strategies to get the soldier to control himself, even when no one is looking. Then the Bible brings the soldier to care for her, as the person she is. The Jewish tradition's next major step was in the 12th century when it empowered the captive to decide for herself what direction she wants her life to take, including going free without marrying him. This book shows how these strategies can work in our communities today, to reduce all kinds of sexual abuse.

Tales of passion, martyrdom and a rare man who can "Just say no" to a rape he could have gotten away with -- can help us educate our youth toward a more respectful future for all gender relations, not just war-time rape. Surprises await both Bible-believers and Bible-skeptics.

Industry Reviews

"A closely-reasoned, brilliant and compelling presentation with an extraordinary ethical vision. . . a tour de force."  

Yitzchak A. Breitowitz 

Professor Emeritus, University of Maryland Law School & Rabbi Emeritus, Woodside Synagogue Ahavat Torah

"Connecting the past to the present in surprising ways, it presents a challenging and thought provoking argument."

Elisheva Baumgarten, Professor of Jewish Studies, Hebrew University of Jerusalem

 "An instructive and challenging book!"

Warren Zev Harvey, Professor Emeritus, Hebrew University of Jerusalem

"A richly insightful discussion of a vital topic informed by a judicious reading of seminal texts of the Jewish tradition." 

Paul Mendes-Flohr, Professor Emeritus, Modern Jewish History & Thought, University of Chicago

"This compassionate and timely study analyzes battlefield sexual aggression, showing how Jewish law's focus on personal responsibility is relevant to contemporary sexual relationships." Sylvia Barack Fishman, Emerita Professor, Brandeis University

"An engaging book that captures 3000 years of Jewish scholarship on the relevance of the Beautiful Captive Law for the ethics of war and the empowerment of women."

The Revd Canon Leslie J. Francis, Professor Emeritus University of Warwick & Canon Theologian, Liverpool Cathedral, England

"Written in accessible language, the book will interest both scholars and the general public."

Martin Lockshin, University Professor Emeritus, York University

"Startling insights on helping men control their lust."

Joel Roth, Professor Emeritus of Talmud & Jewish Law, Jewish Theological Seminary of America

More in Religion & Beliefs

Rasputin : And the Downfall of the Romanovs - Antony Beevor

RRP $55.00

$43.15

22%
OFF
William Blake vs the World - John Higgs

RRP $22.99

$18.99

17%
OFF
The Supreme Gift : Love Is the Greatest Thing in the World - Paulo Coelho
Norse-Gaelic Paganism : Viking and Irish Myth and Magic - Annie Cuglas Humphrey
The Ramadan Kitchen : Nourishing Recipes from Fast to Feast - Ilhan Mohamed Abdi
Introduction to Medieval Europe 300-1500 : 4th Edition - Wim Blockmans
Ex's and No's : The Breakup Advice You Don't Want to Hear - Cole Zesiger
Anna, Grandmother Of Jesus : A Message Of Wisdom And Love - , Claire Heartsong
The Jesus Bible [NIV Edition, Pink] : NIV Edition [Pink] - Zondervan

RRP $89.99

$64.99

28%
OFF
Spirit Worlds : The Library of Esoterica - Jessica Hundley

RRP $79.99

$62.99

21%
OFF
How to Feel : An Ancient Guide to Minding Our Emotions - The Buddha
Anam Cara : Spiritual Wisdom from the Celtic World - John O'Donohue
NRSV Catholic Bible Gift Edition [White] : Holy Bible - Thomas Nelson

RRP $69.99

$52.75

25%
OFF