Deuteronomy 22 29

Deuteronomy 22:29 kjv

Then the man that lay with her shall give unto the damsel's father fifty shekels of silver, and she shall be his wife; because he hath humbled her, he may not put her away all his days.

Deuteronomy 22:29 nkjv

then the man who lay with her shall give to the young woman's father fifty shekels of silver, and she shall be his wife because he has humbled her; he shall not be permitted to divorce her all his days.

Deuteronomy 22:29 niv

he shall pay her father fifty shekels of silver. He must marry the young woman, for he has violated her. He can never divorce her as long as he lives.

Deuteronomy 22:29 esv

then the man who lay with her shall give to the father of the young woman fifty shekels of silver, and she shall be his wife, because he has violated her. He may not divorce her all his days.

Deuteronomy 22:29 nlt

he must pay her father fifty pieces of silver. Then he must marry the young woman because he violated her, and he may never divorce her as long as he lives.

Deuteronomy 22 verses

Deuteronomy 22 29 Meaning

Deuteronomy 22:29 outlines a specific legal consequence for a man who lies with an unbetrothed virgin woman, provided she was not raped but "found" and sexually "violated" or humbled her, often interpreted as seduction or consensual sexual activity outside marriage in circumstances that brought disgrace upon her and her family. The law mandates three outcomes for the man: he must pay fifty shekels of silver to her father as compensation, she must become his wife, and he is prohibited from ever divorcing her for the rest of his life. This law aimed to ensure the security and protection of the shamed woman, compensate her family, and impose a permanent responsibility on the man for his actions.

Deuteronomy 22 29 Context

Deuteronomy 22 belongs to a larger section of Israelite law given to Moses, following the Ten Commandments, emphasizing moral and social conduct in the Promised Land. This chapter specifically deals with various civic and social regulations, including duties concerning lost property, ethical agricultural practices, and detailed laws concerning sexual purity and marriage. Verses 22-29 specifically address sexual offenses against virgins and married women.

Verse 29 is part of a nuanced set of laws regarding sexual encounters. It follows the distinctions drawn in 22:23-24 (sexual relations with a betrothed virgin in a city, implying consent and mutual guilt leading to stoning for both) and 22:25-27 (rape of a betrothed virgin in the open country, where the woman is presumed innocent and only the man is punished by stoning). Deuteronomy 22:28 sets up the scenario for verse 29: a man "finds" an unbetrothed virgin and lies with her, distinct from violent rape as the absence of cry/resistance is implied. The "violation" (Hebrew innah) in this context indicates a deep dishonor, devaluing the woman and bringing shame upon her and her family, even if the act was not against her will through physical force. Historically, female virginity before marriage was highly valued in ancient Israel, directly tied to family honor, marriageability, and social standing. Losing it outside of marriage (even through seduction) brought significant disgrace. The law in 22:29 aims to rectify this situation by compelling the man to assume permanent responsibility, restoring a measure of stability and security for the woman, which was an advanced protection for its time compared to other ancient Near Eastern laws that might have left such a woman destitute.

Deuteronomy 22 29 Word analysis

• "the man who lay with her": This phrase directly identifies the male perpetrator and his action. The Hebrew verb shakav (שָׁכַב) means "to lie down," but in this context, "to have sexual intercourse." It implies an intentional act by the man.
• "must pay her father": The requirement to compensate the father. This highlights the concept of the woman being under her father's care and her "value" or marriageability being tied to her virginity and honor. It's an economic compensation for a personal and social wrong.
• "fifty shekels of silver": This amount was a substantial sum, typically the maximum amount of "bride-price" (mohar) that a father would receive for his daughter, or a standard payment for grievous wrongs. This payment served as compensation to the father for the "damage" to his daughter's honor and her diminished prospects. It underscored the seriousness of the man's action.
• "and she shall be his wife": This is a mandatory marriage. This clause ensures the future social and economic security of the woman, who would otherwise be deeply shamed, perhaps unmarriageable, and potentially destitute. It reflects the community's commitment to protect its vulnerable members and provide a future for the dishonored woman.
• "because he violated her": The core justification for the consequences. The Hebrew verb is 'innah (עִנָּה), which means to humble, to afflict, to violate, or to debase. In this context, it signifies an act that has brought disgrace and shame upon the woman, effectively devaluing her social standing and her potential for an honorable marriage. This "violation" is distinct from the physical force implied in raping someone (Deut 22:25), but rather focuses on the act of illicit sexual relations outside of marriage that disgraces and harms the woman's reputation and prospects, regardless of initial physical resistance.
• "He can never divorce her": This is the strongest and most unique stipulation of the law. It removes the man's agency to later discard the woman whom he has dishonored. This irreversible marital bond provides lifelong security for the woman, ensuring she is not cast off again and left vulnerable. It serves as a severe deterrent for men who might consider seducing unbetrothed virgins, as they would be forced into a permanent, undesirable marriage. It stands in stark contrast to the general allowance for divorce in Deut 24:1-4 and emphasizes the divine concern for protecting the vulnerable from further harm.

Deuteronomy 22 29 Bonus section

This law provides a powerful illustration of divine wisdom at work in a patriarchal society, aiming to alleviate the long-term suffering of a woman who might otherwise be ruined socially and economically. Instead of abandoning her, the law ensured her security. Furthermore, this statute subtly combats promiscuity by imposing severe and permanent consequences on the male perpetrator, reinforcing the gravity of premarital sexual activity outside of divine boundaries. The contrast with Exodus 22:16-17, where the father could refuse the marriage, indicates a legal evolution towards greater protection for the woman, compelling marriage where it had been optional. This highlights a progression in divine law, becoming more protective of the individual's long-term well-being.

Deuteronomy 22 29 Commentary

Deuteronomy 22:29 sets forth a profound and nuanced legal response to a specific sexual transgression in ancient Israel. Unlike instances of violent rape, this verse addresses situations where an unbetrothed virgin is "violated" (shamed or debased) through sexual intercourse by a man. The law’s threefold command—payment, mandatory marriage, and prohibition of divorce—reveals God's emphasis on justice, restoration, and the protection of the vulnerable within the community.

The financial penalty of fifty shekels of silver was not merely a fine; it served as restitution to the father for the social and economic loss incurred by his daughter's "damaged" status, essentially representing the full bride-price she would have commanded. Crucially, the mandatory marriage ensures that the woman, who would likely face social ostracism and reduced marriage prospects due to the loss of her virginity outside of marriage, is guaranteed a future within the covenant community. This demonstrates a deep concern for the woman's long-term welfare, prioritizing her security over abstract notions of marital affection.

Perhaps the most striking element of this law is the immutable prohibition on divorce. While general divorce laws existed, here, the man who brought such disgrace upon the woman forfeits his right to ever divorce her. This indissoluble bond protects the woman from future abandonment and subsequent social ruin. It serves as a perpetual reminder to the man of the severity of his sin and a lifelong consequence for violating God's standards for sexual purity and honorable conduct. It highlights that certain actions carry permanent responsibilities, especially when they cause deep shame and insecurity to another person. This divine law, while seemingly rigid by modern individualistic standards, was remarkably progressive for its time, securing the future of the vulnerable in a society where female honor was paramount and intricately tied to their families and marriage prospects. It underscores the sanctity of marriage and God's protective love for all, especially those easily disadvantaged.