Deuteronomy 22 14

Deuteronomy 22:14 kjv

And give occasions of speech against her, and bring up an evil name upon her, and say, I took this woman, and when I came to her, I found her not a maid:

Deuteronomy 22:14 nkjv

and charges her with shameful conduct, and brings a bad name on her, and says, 'I took this woman, and when I came to her I found she was not a virgin,'

Deuteronomy 22:14 niv

and slanders her and gives her a bad name, saying, "I married this woman, but when I approached her, I did not find proof of her virginity,"

Deuteronomy 22:14 esv

and accuses her of misconduct and brings a bad name upon her, saying, 'I took this woman, and when I came near her, I did not find in her evidence of virginity,'

Deuteronomy 22:14 nlt

and publicly accuses her of shameful conduct, saying, 'When I married this woman, I discovered she was not a virgin.'

Deuteronomy 22 verses

Deuteronomy 22 14 Meaning

Deuteronomy 22:14 describes the specific false accusation made by a husband against his new wife. He declares that he has found evidence that she was not a virgin before their marriage, asserting that she brought "shameful things" (false charges) upon herself and "brought up an evil name" (slandered her reputation) upon her through this alleged pre-marital impurity. This verse is the accusation itself, which sets in motion a legal process outlined in the surrounding verses. The husband’s motive, as stated in the preceding verse, is that he has come to dislike her.

Deuteronomy 22 14 Context

Deuteronomy 22 is a collection of various laws given to Israel as they prepare to enter the Promised Land, reflecting the covenant requirements for a holy and just society. The chapter addresses diverse aspects of daily life, including social ethics, property rights, sexual morality, and judicial matters, all aimed at fostering communal welfare and distinguishing Israel as God's chosen people.

Verses 13-21 specifically deal with cases of suspected pre-marital unchastity within a newly formed marriage. This section establishes a judicial process for a grave accusation that could dishonor the bride, her family, and the community. The cultural context was patriarchal, where a woman’s virginity at marriage was highly valued, directly impacting her and her family's honor and economic standing. An accusation of non-virginity was immensely serious, potentially leading to the woman's death by stoning. The law provides a structured system for resolution, protecting the woman from arbitrary slander and safeguarding marriage. It demonstrates God's concern for justice and the protection of the vulnerable within Israel's legal framework, contrasting with societies where a husband could discard a wife almost on a whim.

Deuteronomy 22 14 Word analysis

• "and charging her": The Hebrew "וְשָׂם עָלֶיהָ" (wəśām ‘ālēhā), literally "and placing upon her," signifies a deliberate act of imputation or laying a charge against her. It highlights the husband's active intent to create a damaging accusation.

• "shameful things": The phrase "עֲלִילֹת דְּבָרִים" (‘ălîlōt dəḇārîm) is multifaceted. "’Alîlōt" means "deeds" or "practices," while "dəḇārîm" refers to "words" or "matters." Together, it translates to "evil doings by words," "false charges," or "disgraceful allegations." This is not a reference to physical acts but to verbal slander designed to bring her into disrepute.

• "and bringing up an evil name upon her": This is rendered from the Hebrew "וְהוֹצִיא עָלֶיהָ שֵׁם רָע" (wəhōṣî’ ‘ālēhā šēm rā‘), meaning "to put out/circulate a bad name against her" or "to malign her reputation." "Shem ra" (evil name/reputation) clearly signifies public defamation and slander, aiming to destroy her social standing.

• "and saying": The Hebrew "וְאָמַרְתִּי" (wə’āmārtî) directly introduces the husband's exact words of accusation. This makes the lie explicit and verifiable.

• "I found her not a maid": The original Hebrew is "לֹא מָצָאתִי לָהּ בְּתוּלִים" (lō’ māṣā’tî lāh bəṯûlîm), which literally translates to "I did not find for her virginity" or "tokens of virginity." This points specifically to the expected physical evidence of virginity after the consummation of marriage. This is the precise nature of his false claim against her.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "charging her with shameful things, and bringing up an evil name upon her": These two parallel clauses emphasize the comprehensive nature of the husband’s malicious action. He is not merely stating a perceived fact but actively manufacturing an accusation ("shameful things") and simultaneously broadcasting it to ruin her social standing ("bringing up an evil name"). This highlights the dual prong of his attack: specific false accusation and general character assassination.
  • "and saying, I found her not a maid": This phrase details the exact lie central to the husband's accusation. It is a precise and definitive statement aimed at asserting his false discovery, making his lie actionable under the law. This accusation, if proven false, leads to severe penalties for him, reflecting the seriousness of the charge in ancient Israelite society regarding the sanctity of marriage and a woman's honor.

Deuteronomy 22 14 Bonus section

The severe punishment for the falsely accusing husband (100 shekels of silver, about twice the common bride-price, and inability to divorce her) was a powerful deterrent against arbitrary or self-serving accusations. It underscores that God's law values a woman's life and reputation significantly, offering more protection than many contemporary ancient Near Eastern legal codes, where women might have been more easily discarded or subjected to male whim without recourse. This specific law indirectly functions as a polemic against the arbitrary power men could wield in many ancient cultures, asserting that a husband's dissatisfaction does not justify false witness or the destruction of another's life. The “tokens of virginity” (usually interpreted as bloodstains on a sheet from the wedding night) were considered sufficient and unambiguous physical evidence in this cultural context for legal determination, placing the burden of proof squarely on the accused to demonstrate purity, or, in the case of the husband's accusation, for the parents to produce the counter-evidence. This legal mechanism provided a pathway for clearing an innocent woman's name in a society where honor and reputation were paramount.

Deuteronomy 22 14 Commentary

Deuteronomy 22:14 describes a contemptible act: a new husband, after disliking his wife, manufactures a false and devastating accusation of pre-marital unchastity. This law exposes and severely penalizes a specific form of slander that leveraged cultural norms of female virginity for selfish purposes, potentially allowing a man to divorce his wife without penalty and even keep the dowry. God’s law, far from simply reflecting societal patriarchal values, institutes a legal process that critically protects the vulnerable wife. It mandates public evidence (tokens of virginity), impartial judgment by city elders, and if the accusation is found false, inflicts a heavy financial penalty and forbids divorce on the malicious husband, ensuring his lifelong responsibility to her. This passage champions truth over falsehood, justice over abuse of power, and integrity in marital relationships, revealing God's character as a protector of the innocent against destructive words and unjust actions. It underscores the sanctity of truth and the devastating impact of lies on individuals and communities.