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Even today's (self-described) enlightened societies draw a distinction between the lawful killing of the children of enemy nations (as "unavoidable consequences

Even today's (self-described) enlightened societies draw a distinction between the lawful killing of the children of enemy nations (as "unavoidable consequences" of war) and the unlawful killing of children by their own parents (at least once those children are outside the womb). Unfortunately, at the time of the Canaanite cities, there wasn't really much infrastructure for providing welfare services to war orphans, and there was a very real risk that young males of conquered peoples would grow up to seek genocidal revenge on their conquerors. By that standard, offering homes to the female prisoners of war was relatively compassionate.

lalaland1125 5y ago
Of course you see the exact same logic in today's "enlightened societies". Just look at Iraq or Afghanistan to see the same sort of logic of Americans starting a war for supposedly humanitarian causes only to make life worse for everyone involved.
phonypc 5y ago
>By that standard, offering homes to the female prisoners of war was relatively compassionate. More like taking forced brides from among the desirable female captives. I'm sure many in that situation would prefer death. Arguably, sparing the male children their life dominated by genocidal vengeance is the more compassionate action.
- tsol 5y ago
  >I'm sure many in that situation would prefer death. I'm not sure anyone today can reasonably say what they thought. The desire for human survival, though, is incredibly strong.
mbfg 5y ago
>> offering homes to the female prisoners of war was relatively compassionate. more likely sex slaves, given the references to young virgins.
- dane-pgp 5y ago
  I'm no expert, but my understanding is that virginity is not a requirement for someone to be forced into prostitution. More likely the distinction was made because virgins would be young enough to form bonds with the young Israelite men, whereas the older women would not want to start new families.

lalaland1125 5y ago

Of course you see the exact same logic in today's "enlightened societies". Just look at Iraq or Afghanistan to see the same sort of logic of Americans starting a war for supposedly humanitarian causes only to make life worse for everyone involved.

phonypc 5y ago

>By that standard, offering homes to the female prisoners of war was relatively compassionate. More like taking forced brides from among the desirable female captives. I'm sure many in that situation would prefer death. Arguably, sparing the male children their life dominated by genocidal vengeance is the more compassionate action.

tsol 5y ago
>I'm sure many in that situation would prefer death. I'm not sure anyone today can reasonably say what they thought. The desire for human survival, though, is incredibly strong.

mbfg 5y ago

>> offering homes to the female prisoners of war was relatively compassionate. more likely sex slaves, given the references to young virgins.

dane-pgp 5y ago
I'm no expert, but my understanding is that virginity is not a requirement for someone to be forced into prostitution. More likely the distinction was made because virgins would be young enough to form bonds with the young Israelite men, whereas the older women would not want to start new families.