Women are raped in Zion, virgins in the towns of Judah—the verse addresses a horrific dimension of war: sexual violence against women. The singling out of virgins suggests particular vulnerability; young, unmarried women are especially at risk. Theologically, the verse addresses the gendered dimension of suffering in war; women and girls suffer sexual violence as an instrument of war and domination. The rape represents not only physical trauma but the violation of bodies and the destruction of futures (marriage, childbearing). The verse suggests that suffering includes forms of violence beyond military combat; the warfare invades intimate aspects of life. Yet the articulation of this violence suggests testimony; the survivors bear witness to what happened. The verse represents one of the most difficult dimensions of the lament.

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

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