Deuteronomy 22 25

Deuteronomy 22:25 kjv

But if a man find a betrothed damsel in the field, and the man force her, and lie with her: then the man only that lay with her shall die.

Deuteronomy 22:25 nkjv

"But if a man finds a betrothed young woman in the countryside, and the man forces her and lies with her, then only the man who lay with her shall die.

Deuteronomy 22:25 niv

But if out in the country a man happens to meet a young woman pledged to be married and rapes her, only the man who has done this shall die.

Deuteronomy 22:25 esv

"But if in the open country a man meets a young woman who is betrothed, and the man seizes her and lies with her, then only the man who lay with her shall die.

Deuteronomy 22:25 nlt

"But if the man meets the engaged woman out in the country, and he rapes her, then only the man must die.

Deuteronomy 22 verses

Deuteronomy 22 25 Meaning

Deuteronomy 22:25 addresses a severe case of sexual assault: when a man forcibly rapes a young woman who is betrothed, and this act occurs in an isolated, "open country" setting. The law explicitly states that only the perpetrator shall be put to death. This stipulation is crucial because the setting implies that the woman, though crying out, had no one to rescue her, thereby making her an undoubted victim with no culpability. The law underscores God’s justice, His abhorrence of sexual violence, and His protection of the vulnerable and innocent.

Deuteronomy 22 25 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 22 is part of Moses' farewell discourses, reiterating and expanding on God's laws given at Mount Sinai, preparing the Israelites for life in the Promised Land. The chapter covers a range of social and moral regulations, from returning lost items to dress codes and laws protecting fields and fruit trees. Verses 22-29 specifically deal with sexual offenses, outlining strict laws for various scenarios: adultery, sexual relations with a betrothed woman in a city versus in the open country (our verse), and the seduction of an unbetrothed virgin. Deuteronomy 22:25 directly contrasts with verses 23-24, where a betrothed virgin having sex in the city is presumed to have consented and therefore both parties are executed. The distinction made in verse 25 is crucial: the "open country" context demonstrates lack of rescue and therefore presumption of rape, thus absolving the victim entirely and placing full guilt and capital punishment on the male perpetrator alone. This nuanced legal distinction highlights the Mosaic Law's concern for justice and the protection of victims.

Deuteronomy 22 25 Word analysis

• But if: Hebrew "וְאִם" (ve'im) – introducing a contrasting case or a conditional situation, setting this scenario apart from the previous one in 22:23-24.
• a man: Hebrew "אִישׁ" (ish) – standard term for an adult male.
• finds: Hebrew "יִמְצָא" (yimtzah) from the root מצא (matza) – "to find, obtain, meet." In this context, it implies encountering or coming upon the woman, setting the scene for the act that follows. It doesn't suggest an innocent "finding" in light of "seizes."
• a young woman: Hebrew "נַעֲרָה" (na'arah) – refers to a girl or maiden, typically implying virginity and often someone who is of marriageable age.
• who is engaged: Hebrew "בְתוּלָה מְאֹרָשָׂה" (betulah m'orasa) – "a virgin who is betrothed." This is critical. Betrothal in ancient Israel was a legally binding covenant, often considered as serious as marriage itself, making sexual relations with a betrothed woman a grave offense akin to adultery. It significantly elevated the severity of the crime.
• in the open country: Hebrew "בַּשָּׂדֶה" (bassādeh) – "in the field." This is the pivotal detail distinguishing this case from the city scenario (22:23-24). The isolation of the "field" implies a lack of witnesses and, crucially, no possibility of her cries for help being heard, thereby negating any assumption of her consent. It’s an environment where the perpetrator could overpower her without public intervention.
• and the man: Hebrew "וְהֶחֱזִיק" (v'heḥĕzîq) from the root חזק (ḥazaq) – "to seize, strengthen, hold firm." Coupled with the act of intercourse, this term explicitly conveys forcible restraint and non-consensual action. It indicates a violent, overpowering act.
• seizes her: See "and the man" above. This phrase unequivocally denotes physical compulsion and lack of consent from the victim.
• and lies with her: Hebrew "וְשָׁכַב עִמָּהּ" (v'shāḵav ʻimmâh) – "and lay with her," a common biblical euphemism for sexual intercourse. The preceding "seizes her" establishes this "lying with her" as non-consensual rape.
• then only the man: Hebrew "וּמֵת הָאִישׁ" (u'met ha'ish) – "then the man shall die." The Hebrew places emphasis on "the man." The addition of "only" in English translations rightly conveys that the guilt and penalty fall solely on the male perpetrator, without implicating the female victim. This contrasts sharply with 22:24 where both die.
• who lay with her shall die: This mandates capital punishment for the rapist. It highlights the extreme gravity of the crime of rape, especially against a betrothed woman. The clear distinction in guilt and penalty between this verse and 22:24 illustrates God's just discernment based on the context and implied consent/resistance.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "But if a man finds a young woman who is engaged in the open country": This establishes the critical conditions of the crime: the victim's status (betrothed virgin), the perpetrator's role (the one who finds her), and the location (isolated field). Each element contributes to proving the woman's innocence and the man's sole guilt. The betrothal status emphasizes the man’s violation of a solemn covenant, akin to adultery.
• "and the man seizes her and lies with her": This phrase clearly describes a violent, non-consensual act of rape. "Seizes" demonstrates the use of force, differentiating it from seduction or consensual intercourse. This wording confirms the absence of the woman’s agreement or participation.
• "then only the man who lay with her shall die": This dictates the singular punishment: capital punishment solely for the male perpetrator. The emphasis on "only the man" completely absolves the female victim due to the circumstances (inability to call for help, use of force), distinguishing her from an adulteress who would have consented. It reflects God’s just judgment which takes into account specific facts and empowers the innocent.

Deuteronomy 22 25 Bonus section

This law serves as a profound legal and ethical precedent within biblical jurisprudence. In contrast to many ancient Near Eastern law codes that sometimes placed responsibility or partial blame on a raped woman, or focused compensation for the father, this Mosaic law provides an unparalleled level of protection for the victim, unequivocally establishing her innocence and demanding the life of the perpetrator. It highlights God’s meticulous concern for justice, distinguishing between consensual adultery (even pre-marriage betrothal adultery) and non-consensual rape. The 'cry in the field' clause became a legal presumption of non-consent in a setting where public outcry was futile, underscoring that a true victim is not accountable for an act forced upon her. This verse anticipates and addresses the common societal failure to distinguish between true rape and consensual immorality, serving as a beacon of justice for the vulnerable in a challenging world.

Deuteronomy 22 25 Commentary

Deuteronomy 22:25 provides a critical legal framework that protects victims of sexual violence by making crucial distinctions based on circumstantial evidence. Unlike the scenario in Deut 22:23-24 where a betrothed woman in the city having sexual relations leads to the execution of both, implying presumed consent if no cries for help were heard, the "open country" (or field) setting of verse 25 dictates a different legal outcome. This location means the victim had no opportunity for her screams to be heard or for intervention, thus confirming the act as forced. Consequently, the law declares the woman completely innocent of any wrongdoing and places the full culpability, and the sole death penalty, on the male assailant. This specific provision serves as a divine protective measure, unequivocally condemning rape and challenging any cultural tendency to blame the victim for an assault beyond her control. It underscores the sanctity of a woman's body and her betrothal covenant, as well as God's unwavering commitment to justice for the violated. The severity of the punishment reflects the profound harm caused by sexual violence – spiritual, emotional, and physical – and demonstrates that such a heinous act against a betrothed woman was considered an assault on both her and her future husband's legal rights and honor, as well as a sin against God.