ABSTRACT
In this chapter, I read selected stories of gender-based violence (GBV) in the Bible alongside stories of GBV in contemporary Botswana. I show that the Bible is saturated with hegemonic masculinity, male chauvinism, and misogynistic attitudes, all detrimentally impacting the female characters in biblical stories and that similarities with the context in which I live do not escape me. The story of Eve in Genesis 1–3 is used as background to show that she is portrayed marginally, as a weaker sex who easily falls into temptation and as a trickster who leads the man (Adam) into sin. Therefore, I read the stories of women's marginalization, subordination, and GBV from the biblical stories of Genesis 1–3, 19; 2 Samuel 13, Esther, and Judges 19 alongside stories of women in Botswana and have unearthed an overwhelming resonance. Finally, I conclude this chapter by asserting that biblical texts are partly responsible for colluding with, supporting, and strengthening patriarchal Setswana culture; disadvantaging women and girls; and contributing to the ever-growing GBV incidences in the country.
