Deuteronomy 22 18

Deuteronomy 22:18 kjv

And the elders of that city shall take that man and chastise him;

Deuteronomy 22:18 nkjv

Then the elders of that city shall take that man and punish him;

Deuteronomy 22:18 niv

and the elders shall take the man and punish him.

Deuteronomy 22:18 esv

Then the elders of that city shall take the man and whip him,

Deuteronomy 22:18 nlt

The elders must then take the man and punish him.

Deuteronomy 22 verses

Deuteronomy 22 18 Meaning

Deuteronomy 22:18 mandates that if a husband falsely accuses his new wife of not being a virgin, the city elders—the duly appointed judicial authorities—are to take hold of this man and subject him to a physical punishment. This punitive action serves as a severe consequence for his malicious slander and defamation, which risked the wife's life and severely dishonored her and her family. The verse ensures that the legal process is followed and that swift justice is administered for such a grave offense within the Israelite community.

Deuteronomy 22 18 Context

Deuteronomy 22:18 is found within a section of the Mosaic Law dealing with various civil and moral regulations for Israel's daily life, specifically concerning sexual purity and marriage (Deut 22:13-30). This particular passage (Deut 22:13-21) addresses the highly sensitive issue of a husband accusing his newly wedded wife of lacking virginity. The immediate verses preceding verse 18 (Deut 22:13-17) describe the procedure: the husband brings his accusation to the elders, the wife's parents present proof of her virginity, and if the accusation is proven false, the punishment outlined in verse 18 (along with a fine and forfeiture of divorce rights in verse 19) is enacted. If the accusation were true (Deut 22:20-21), the consequence for the woman would be death by stoning. This detailed legal framework reflects God's concern for protecting the vulnerable, upholding truth, ensuring social stability, and deterring reckless and malicious accusations in a society where a woman's honor and purity were paramount for her and her family's standing.

Deuteronomy 22 18 Word analysis

• Then (וְלָקְחוּ - Welaqḥu): This connecting word signifies a direct consequence, indicating that the action immediately follows the elders' determination of the husband's guilt. The verb "to take" (root: לָקַח - laqakh) implies active apprehension and taking into custody for the purpose of executing the judgment.
• the elders (זִקְנֵי - Ziqnei): Derived from the Hebrew word for "old" (זָקֵן - zaqen), these were the mature and experienced leaders of the community, holding formal judicial authority. They typically sat at the city gate, which was the central place for legal proceedings, communal decisions, and public life. Their involvement highlights the community's responsibility in administering justice, ensuring impartiality and due process rather than allowing individual retribution.
• of that city (הָעִיר הַהִיא - ha'Ir haHi): Specifies the jurisdiction, ensuring that the legal action is carried out by the recognized authorities in the specific town where the couple resided and the accusation originated. Justice was localized and communal.
• shall take (וְלָקְחוּ - Welaqḥu): The repetition of this verb (or a cognate form, grammatically linking the clause) emphasizes the definitive action to be carried out by the elders. They are mandated to apprehend the man, underscoring their active role in enforcing the law and ensuring compliance with the verdict.
• the man (אֶת־הָאִישׁ - et-ha'Ish): Specifically refers to the male accuser whose slander has been proven false. The definite article highlights that this is the same individual who initiated the false charge against his wife, bringing the focus directly to his guilt.
• and whip him (וְיִסְּרוּ - weYisseru): The Hebrew root יָסַר (yasar) is central here. While often translated as "whip" or "chasten" in this context, it carries a broader meaning of "to instruct," "to admonish," "to discipline," or "to correct." The act of whipping, though physically punitive, was seen as a corrective measure intended to teach a lesson and deter future misconduct. This implies the punishment served not merely for retribution, but also for moral instruction and societal correction. The specific limits on such beatings were later stipulated to protect human dignity (Deut 25:3).

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Then the elders of that city shall take": This phrase underlines the established and authorized procedure for handling serious disputes. Justice is not left to private hands or emotional reactions but is managed by the community's highest local authority. This emphasizes due process and communal accountability in maintaining social order and upholding righteousness.
• "...the man and whip him": This phrase directly identifies the guilty party and outlines the immediate physical consequence of his grave offense. The combined effect of identifying the "man" and stating "whip him" underscores the gravity of false witness, particularly concerning a person's life and reputation, demonstrating God's strong concern for truth and justice within the covenant community.

Deuteronomy 22 18 Bonus section

• Counter-Cultural Justice: In contrast to many ancient Near Eastern cultures where a husband's word might be taken without question, this Deuteronomic law provides significant protection for the woman, requiring proof from her accuser and penalizing false accusations severely. This highlighted God's unique standard of justice and protection for the vulnerable within Israel.
• Significance of the "Gate": The judicial process taking place at the "gate of that city" signifies that justice was public and communal. This ensured transparency and made the consequences a visible warning to all citizens against similar malicious behavior. It reinforced the elders' role as upholders of public morality and order.
• Corrective Discipline (יָסַר - yasar): The underlying concept of "yasar" (to whip, discipline) extends beyond mere physical retribution. It points to a correctional purpose—to educate and shape behavior. Just as God disciplines His children for their good, human discipline under the Law was often intended to lead to repentance and a change in conduct, thereby maintaining the purity and moral integrity of the community.

Deuteronomy 22 18 Commentary

Deuteronomy 22:18 vividly illustrates the stringent application of justice within the Mosaic Law concerning false witness, especially in matters of marriage and a woman's honor. This verse is not merely about physical punishment but about establishing divine values in human society: the sanctity of truth, the protection of the innocent (especially the vulnerable), and the integrity of marriage. By mandating that the community elders personally take and discipline the slandering husband, God instills in Israel the understanding that malicious accusations, which could ruin lives, are severely condemned and met with substantial repercussions. The public nature of this punishment, carried out by community leaders at the judicial gate, served as a powerful deterrent against baseless accusations and reckless disregard for a neighbor's reputation, reinforcing that truthfulness and righteousness were fundamental to the covenant relationship between God and His people.