Deuteronomy 22 28

Deuteronomy 22:28 kjv

If a man find a damsel that is a virgin, which is not betrothed, and lay hold on her, and lie with her, and they be found;

Deuteronomy 22:28 nkjv

"If a man finds a young woman who is a virgin, who is not betrothed, and he seizes her and lies with her, and they are found out,

Deuteronomy 22:28 niv

If a man happens to meet a virgin who is not pledged to be married and rapes her and they are discovered,

Deuteronomy 22:28 esv

"If a man meets a virgin who is not betrothed, and seizes her and lies with her, and they are found,

Deuteronomy 22:28 nlt

"Suppose a man has intercourse with a young woman who is a virgin but is not engaged to be married. If they are discovered,

Deuteronomy 22 verses

Deuteronomy 22 28 Meaning

Deuteronomy 22:28 describes a specific legal case involving a man who encounters an unbetrothed virgin and subjects her to a non-consensual sexual act, depicted as "he seizes her and lies with her." The discovery of this violation initiates the legal consequence, detailed in the following verse (v. 29). The perpetrator is then required to pay a substantial fine to the young woman's father (fifty shekels of silver) and is permanently bound to marry her without any right to divorce her in his lifetime. This statute served to provide a measure of restitution and security for the violated woman and her family, particularly addressing the damage to her honor and marital prospects in ancient Israelite society, where virginity was paramount for an unmarried woman.

Deuteronomy 22 28 Context

Deuteronomy 22 is part of the extensive legal code given by God to Israel through Moses, aimed at establishing a righteous and orderly society within the Promised Land. This chapter focuses particularly on laws promoting good neighborly conduct, maintaining moral integrity, and addressing various sexual offenses. Verses 1-12 cover general civic responsibilities, like returning lost property. Verses 13-30 then deal with specific sexual transgressions and related issues. The law in v. 28-29 is strategically placed after those concerning alleged pre-marital non-virginity (v. 13-21), adultery (v. 22), and the rape of a betrothed woman (v. 23-27). This particular law addresses the unique situation of an unbetrothed virgin, where the legal outcome differs due to her unmarried status and the type of violation. Its purpose was to provide a structured legal response that brought a measure of justice, honor restoration, and provision for a woman who had suffered a devastating violation.

Deuteronomy 22 28 Word analysis

• If a man finds (כִּי־יִמְצָא֙ אִ֨ישׁ - ki-yimtsa ish): This introductory phrase denotes a hypothetical legal case, characteristic of ancient Near Eastern legal codes. "Finds" suggests an encounter, rather than an intentional meeting.
• a young woman (נַעֲרָ֗ה - na'arah): Refers to a maiden, typically a female from puberty through early adulthood, who is unmarried.
• a virgin (בְּתוּלָ֛ה - betulah): This signifies her sexual purity and untouched state, a highly valued attribute in ancient Israelite society essential for marriage and the preservation of family honor.
• who is not betrothed (לֹא־אֲרֻשָׂה֙ - lo 'erusa): This crucial distinction legally sets this case apart from adultery or the violation of a betrothed woman (Deut 22:23-27). Her unbetrothed status determines the nature of the offense and its specific penalties.
• and he seizes her (וְהֶחֱזִ֥יק בָּהּ֙ - veheḥezíqa bah): The verb ḥāzaq implies an act of strong grasping, taking hold, or even compelling by force. In this context, it strongly suggests a non-consensual act, indicative of an aggressive sexual violation or rape, differentiating it from mere seduction.
• and lies with her (וְשָׁכַ֥ב עִמָּהּ - veshákáv 'immáh): A common biblical euphemism for engaging in sexual intercourse. Coupled with "seizes," it depicts the physical act of the violation.
• and they are found (וְנִמְצָֽאוּ - venimtsa'u): This denotes the discovery of the act, making it publicly known and requiring legal adjudication. It marks the point at which the community or legal authorities intervene.
• Words-group analysis:
  • "If a man finds a young woman, a virgin who is not betrothed...": This precise description of the victim’s status—unmarried, untouched, and uncommitted—is fundamental. It clearly categorizes the offense and triggers a specific set of legal remedies focused on rectifying the damage to her standing and the honor of her family, distinguishing it from offenses involving married or betrothed women.
  • "...and he seizes her and lies with her...": This core phrase details the illicit act. "He seizes her" implies coercion or forceful intent, indicating a lack of full consent. When combined with "and lies with her," the language strongly points to sexual assault. The Hebrew verb "seizes" does not suggest passive acceptance, thus rendering the man solely culpable for the physical violation.
  • "...and they are found": This phrase shifts the event from a private transgression to a public legal matter. The discovery is what mandates the community's or elders' intervention, ensuring that the legal process, with its subsequent payment and marriage obligations (v. 29), is initiated to address the wrongdoing and its societal implications.

Deuteronomy 22 28 Bonus section

This law reflects the patriarchal structure of ancient Israelite society where women, especially virgins, were considered under the authority of their fathers, with their purity representing familial honor and a valuable asset for marital alliance. While the mandatory marriage may seem incongruous with modern understandings of sexual assault, in its historical context, it served as a means of provision and societal reintegration for the woman, securing her livelihood and status in a world where being unmarried and violated was deeply stigmatizing. The law demonstrates God's concern for justice and the protection of the vulnerable, even when working within existing social frameworks. It mitigated potential severe hardship for the victim and ensured the perpetrator bore the consequences permanently. This legislative provision reveals God's meticulous concern for justice within the covenant community, protecting individuals and families from social chaos caused by immoral behavior.

Deuteronomy 22 28 Commentary

Deuteronomy 22:28 establishes a law addressing the sexual violation of an unbetrothed virgin. Unlike the death penalty for the rape of a betrothed woman (due to her quasi-married status), this specific offense carries the penalties of a financial payment to her father and mandatory lifelong marriage to the violated woman by the aggressor. This distinction underscores that the primary concern in this law was not only about justice for the victim but also about protecting familial honor and her social future, particularly her ability to secure a husband. The "seizes" indicates an act of aggression or force, ensuring the man's responsibility regardless of the woman's perceived lack of explicit resistance, which could not always be verified. The enforced marriage ensured the man assumed permanent responsibility for the woman he had defiled, thereby providing her with status and preventing her from becoming a social outcast or destitute. Furthermore, the prohibition on divorcing her all his days highlights the gravity of the act and reinforces the man's lasting accountability for his actions.