“... As a corollary of her completely cooperating in fulfilling her destiny as the wife made to be helpmate for her future husband, she heeded the cautions of the Torah concerning the seducer who might destroy her chastity. 4 Maccabees 18:8 recalls the case recorded in Deut 22:25–27, recontextualizing the phrase ἐv πεδίῳ and describing rather clearly the same circumstances (being accosted and raped in a deserted place). By remaining in the private spaces of her father’s house, she took the necessary precautions against this eventuality. What follows is an interesting reading of the Fall of Eve and the activity of the serpent in the garden. The language of Eve’s defense in Gen 3:13, “the serpent beguiled (ἠπάτησεv) me,” is the same language of seduction found in Exod 22:16 (ἀπατήσῃ), which describes a case similar to the one covered in Deut 22:25–27. The author of 4 Maccabees makes this same connection when he refers to “the deceitful (ἀπάτης) serpent,” suggesting that Satan is particularly interested in corrupting women through the extramarital advances of males. Paul in 2 Cor 11:2–3 evokes the same suggestive overtones of Satan’s activity as seduction (here, though, away from “fidelity” to Christ, the bridegroom of the Church). The mother’s vigilance against any assault contributes not only to her own honor, but also to the honor of the seven brothers, affirming the legitimacy of their birth. ...”