Why was bathsheba bathing

The KJV more accurately conveys the range of meaning of the original Hebrew: she washed herself, which could mean only hands and feet.

Or we might assume that the mention of her beauty implies her nakedness—but why should we assume that? David M. Gunn, "Bathsheba Bathing", n. David Gunn is A. He has long pursued research interests in Hebrew Bible narrative, feminist criticism, and the use and influence reception history of the Bible in Western culture. He is currently working on Samuel Through the Centuries for the Wiley-Blackwell commentary series, of which he is a coeditor.

Bathing in ancient Israel was not an everyday mundane activity but a significant event that often had a religious function. The story of David and Bathsheba leaves much to the imagination, allowing Bathsheba to be seen as either a clever opportunist or an innocent victim.

Hebrew is regarded as the spoken language of ancient Israel but is largely replaced by Aramaic in the Persian period. It became the standard Biblical translation in the English-speaking world until the 20th century. Of or relating to the Middle Ages, generally from the fifth century to the fifteenth century C. The historical period generally spanning from the fifth century to the fifteenth century C.

View more. Bathsheba was a daughter of Eliam and was probably of noble birth. A beautiful woman, she became pregnant after David saw her bathing on a rooftop and had her brought to him. David then ordered that Uriah be moved to the front-line of a battle, where he was killed. It seared my chest with pain and sank into my stomach like a weighted piece of brimstone.

His implication nagged at me for months. What was it about his analogy that felt so off? As we approach our annual Sunday School lesson about this woman in this Old Testament year, I believe we can offer this same healing and enlightenment to many others, to the degree that we are willing to share a more complete perspective as we teach our classes and our families. In an era when so many women are coming forward with their own stories of sexual abuse and assault, Queen Bathsheba offers a path forward towards the reclamation of self and female power, and David, in his own way, offers a model of accountability and repentance.

The two journeys actually inform each other, because both the victim and the perpetrator heal as they uncover and tell the truth about their experiences. And what does it say? This might not immediately seem like an important distinction, but if we return to the scriptures a few more relevant tidbits emerge from the text. It was a ceremonial washing ritual; it is still observed by Orthodox Jews today! It is incredibly unlikely that Bathsheba would have participated in this washing ritual somewhere as public as on a rooftop!

In fact, according to the law of Moses rape was only rape if the victim was a virgin, was forced down, and vocally protested Deuteronomy While aspects of this narrow definition of rape are still alive and well today, we can gratefully acknowledge that the law of Moses has been done away with, and that we now are called to live a higher law. And what is this higher law exactly? Remember, sexual contact without consent is assault.

If we are to truly honor the law of chastity we cannot do it without honoring the agency of our partner, or would-be partner. We must respect their body, their wishes, and their desires; while simultaneously respecting the laws of God. When David took Bathsheba the word used in the Biblical passage his actions were selfish and capitalized on his position of power.

There is no reason even to assume that she was naked. Public nudity was not acceptable in this ancient Jewish culture, but instead was considered shameful. There is no foundation for assuming she was some kind of exhibitionist. Skip to content.