The Handmaid's Tale

Why is the verse chosen as the ritual ending of all Bible readings?

Chapter 15

Asked by
Last updated by Aslan
Answers 1
Add Yours

One of several passages in the Bible establishing that under patriarchal Hebrew law it was perfectly legitimate for a man to have sex with and father children on his servants or slaves, particularly if his wife was infertile. It is not known how widespread the custom was of having the infertile wife embrace the fertile maidservant as she gave birth to symbolise that the baby was legally hers.