
The story of the Levite and his concubine in Judges 19 is
sometimes used to condemn all homosexual sex. But a
careful examination shows that it is condemning only men
who force other men to have sex with them, i.e. same-sex
rape.
The men of the city of Gibeah intended to rape a male guest
being sheltered by an old man. The New International
Version of the Bible gives the highlight of the story as:
While they [the old man, the Levite, his concubine and
his servant] were enjoying themselves [with food and
drink], some of the wicked men of the city surrounded
the house. Pounding on the door, they shouted to the
old man who owned the house, "Bring out the man who
came to your house so we can have sex with him."
The owner of the house went outside and said to
them, "No, my friends, don't be so vile. Since this man
is my guest, don't do this disgraceful thing. Look, here
is my virgin daughter, and his concubine. I will bring
them out to you now, and you can use them and do to
them whatever you wish. But to this man, don't do
such a disgraceful thing."
But the men would not listen to him. So the man took
his concubine and sent her outside to them, and they
raped her and abused her throughout the night, and
at dawn they let her go. (Judges 19:22 – 25)
As well as condemning same-sex rape, this story also
condemns heterosexual rape and the violation of the
protection given to travelling strangers while in a house.