Deuteronomy 22 27

Deuteronomy 22:27 kjv

For he found her in the field, and the betrothed damsel cried, and there was none to save her.

Deuteronomy 22:27 nkjv

For he found her in the countryside, and the betrothed young woman cried out, but there was no one to save her.

Deuteronomy 22:27 niv

for the man found the young woman out in the country, and though the betrothed woman screamed, there was no one to rescue her.

Deuteronomy 22:27 esv

because he met her in the open country, and though the betrothed young woman cried for help there was no one to rescue her.

Deuteronomy 22:27 nlt

Since the man raped her out in the country, it must be assumed that she screamed, but there was no one to rescue her.

Deuteronomy 22 verses

Deuteronomy 22 27 Meaning

Deuteronomy 22:27 clarifies the legal judgment for sexual assault (rape) involving a betrothed woman when it occurs in an isolated setting, such as a field. In such circumstances, where no one is present to intervene or witness the act, the law presumes the woman's innocence. Her "crying out" signifies her non-consent and resistance, and the lack of a "savior" in the desolate location confirms her utter vulnerability, thereby exonerating her from any blame and placing full culpability on the assailant. This specific provision ensures that she is not punished as if she had consented, which was the rule for similar acts in a populated area where she could have, presumably, cried out and been heard.

Deuteronomy 22 27 Context

Deuteronomy 22 is part of a larger section outlining various civil and ethical laws for Israel, aimed at establishing a righteous society. Specifically, verses 22-29 deal with sexual misconduct. This particular verse (22:27) stands in direct contrast to and provides an exception for the law in Deuteronomy 22:23-24, which addresses a similar scenario but "in the city."

In the urban context (22:23-24), if a betrothed virgin is found with a man and she does not cry out, both are put to death because her silence is presumed consent, treating the act as adultery punishable by death. However, in an isolated setting like "the field" (22:25-27), the woman's lack of help due to isolation changes the legal outcome significantly. The law recognizes that in a deserted area, a cry would not be heard, and therefore, her inability to secure help (rather than her potential silence) becomes the decisive factor in establishing that she was violated against her will. This reflects God's justice, which accounts for the victim's circumstances and absolves her from culpability when she genuinely could not resist or be saved. It emphasizes a compassionate and nuanced application of justice, protecting the vulnerable.

Deuteronomy 22 27 Word analysis

• for (כִּי - ki): This conjunction introduces the explanation or reason for the preceding legal provision (22:25-26, which states the man alone is guilty if it happened in the field). It acts as a logical connector, clarifying why the woman is deemed innocent.
• he found (מְצָאָהּ - metzāʾāh): This Hebrew verb indicates discovery or encountering. In this context, it carries a nuance of unexpected, potentially predatory, encounter rather than a planned meeting. It implies the man sought out and located the woman, possibly seeing her vulnerability in the open.
• her (הּ - suffix -āh): Refers to the "engaged woman" introduced in the broader context of Deut 22:23.
• in the field (בַּשָּׂדֶה - baśśādeh): This location is crucial. A "field" signifies an open, unpopulated, solitary area, devoid of witnesses or potential rescuers. It directly contrasts with the "city" in 22:23-24, which is a populated place where cries could be heard and help could be obtained. This geographical detail is the pivotal distinction for determining legal culpability.
• and the engaged woman (וְהָאֲרֻשָׂה - wəhāʾărûśāh): Refers to a betrothed woman. In ancient Israel, betrothal was a formal legal contract, effectively the first stage of marriage. Sexually, a betrothed woman was considered bound like a wife, making intercourse with anyone other than her betrothed akin to adultery. Her status here elevates the seriousness of the crime against her.
• cried out (צָעֲקָה - tsāʿăqāh): A strong Hebrew verb meaning "to cry aloud," "to shriek," or "to call for help." This signifies her vigorous protest, resistance, and desperate attempt to attract attention or receive aid. This outcry serves as the crucial "testimony" of non-consent when no human witnesses are present.
• but there was no one (וְאֵין - wəʾēn): A conjunction meaning "and not" or "but not," indicating an absence. It emphasizes the unfortunate reality of the situation.
• to save her (מוֹשִׁיעַ - môšîaʿ): Literally "a deliverer" or "one who brings salvation/help." This word emphasizes her total helplessness and isolation. There was no one physically present to hear her cries and intervene, leaving her at the mercy of her assailant.

• "for he found her in the field": This phrase describes the setting and circumstance, emphasizing the man's proactive action ("found her") in an isolated location ("in the field"), creating a scenario of high vulnerability for the woman. It speaks to opportunistic and aggressive intent.
• "the engaged woman cried out": This segment highlights the victim's legal status and her active demonstration of non-consent. Her cry is her legal testimony. The law does not assume passivity but resistance, even if futile.
• "but there was no one to save her": This final part explains why the "crying out" was ineffectual in terms of human intervention and confirms the woman's complete helplessness, removing any suggestion of her complicity by her silence, as there was no one to hear anyway. It's the core reason for her absolution.

Deuteronomy 22 27 Bonus section

This Deuteronomic law illustrates a principle of divine justice that accounts for impossible circumstances. Where human testimony or conventional proof is unattainable, God's law provides a mechanism (the presumption of outcry and lack of savior in the field) to ensure a just outcome for the innocent. It highlights that God values human dignity and innocence over rigid legalism. This passage showcases the revolutionary ethical insights of the Torah, often surpassing contemporary legal codes that placed undue blame on victims. It subtly teaches that evil committed in secret does not escape God's notice or judgment, and that a victim's struggle, even if unseen, is accounted for. The emphasis is on punishing the perpetrator, not victim-blaming, a crucial moral distinction that resonates through biblical teaching.

Deuteronomy 22 27 Commentary

Deuteronomy 22:27 offers a profoundly empathetic and progressive legal principle for its time. It distinguishes between sexual acts based on consent, applying nuanced judgment even in the absence of conventional witnesses. While other ancient Near Eastern laws often burdened women with proving their innocence, this Mosaic law, inspired by divine justice, provides a compassionate legal presumption. The location ("in the field") immediately flags the context as isolated and unobservable, negating the expectation of public intervention. In this private, coercive scenario, the law assumes the betrothed woman's non-consent solely based on the likelihood of her crying out, regardless of whether her cries were heard. Her inability to be saved, due to isolation, fully exonerates her, focusing the entirety of the guilt on the male assailant. This demonstrates God’s character—a God who hears the cry of the oppressed (even when unheard by humans) and ensures justice for the most vulnerable, protecting the victim's life and honor within the community. It sets a powerful precedent for valuing intent and circumstance over outward appearances in judging culpability, affirming the sanctity of individual choice and the heinousness of sexual violence.