Deuteronomy 22:17 - Behold, he has accused her of shameful things, saying, ‘I didn’t find in your daughter the tokens of virginity;’ and yet these are the tokens of my daughter’s virginity.” They shall spread the cloth before the elders of the city.
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What does "Deuteronomy 22:17" mean?
This verse is part of a larger section of Deuteronomy (22:13-21) dealing with accusations against a newly married woman's virginity. Let's break down verse 17 and the surrounding context to understand its meaning:
"Behold, he has accused her of shameful things, saying, ‘I didn’t find in your daughter the tokens of virginity;’": This refers to the husband falsely accusing his wife of not being a virgin when they married. He is claiming that there was no physical evidence (the "tokens of virginity") to support her being a virgin on their wedding night.
"and yet these are the tokens of my daughter’s virginity.”: This is the father of the accused wife speaking. He is asserting that he does have proof that his daughter was a virgin when she married. This proof, according to the next part of the verse, is...
"They shall spread the cloth before the elders of the city.": The "cloth" here is likely the bedding from the wedding night. The idea is that the bloodstains (or lack thereof) on the cloth were considered evidence of the bride's virginity. The father is instructed to present this cloth to the elders of the city, who would act as judges in the case.
In Summary:
The verse is a crucial part of a legal process outlined in Deuteronomy. If a husband falsely accuses his new wife of not being a virgin, her father is given the opportunity to defend her. He must bring forth the bedding from the wedding night as evidence to the city elders, presumably to prove her virginity based on the presence of bloodstains.
Cultural Context and Interpretation:
Importance of Virginity: In ancient Israel, a woman's virginity at marriage was highly valued and seen as a sign of purity and family honor. This law reflects the importance placed on these values.
Blood as Evidence: The assumption that bleeding always occurs during the first act of intercourse is medically inaccurate. However, this was the prevailing belief in that culture.
Protection for Women: While the law may seem harsh by modern standards, it also provided a degree of protection for women who were falsely accused. Without this legal recourse, a woman could be severely shamed and possibly divorced without any way to defend herself.
The larger context: Deuteronomy 22:13-21 goes on to describe what happens if the accusation is proven false. The husband is punished by paying a fine to the woman's father and is required to remain married to her. If the accusation is proven true, the woman is to be stoned to death for bringing dishonor to her family.
This passage reflects the social and cultural values of ancient Israel and highlights the legal frameworks that were in place to address accusations of this nature. It's important to interpret this passage within its historical context, recognizing that it does not necessarily align with modern understandings of sexuality and justice.
Deuteronomy 22:17 - Behold, he has accused her of shameful things, saying, ‘I didn’t find in your daughter the tokens of virginity;’ and yet these are the tokens of my daughter’s virginity.” They shall spread the cloth before the elders of the city.
What does "Deuteronomy 22:17" mean?
This verse is part of a larger section of Deuteronomy (22:13-21) dealing with accusations against a newly married woman's virginity. Let's break down verse 17 and the surrounding context to understand its meaning:
"Behold, he has accused her of shameful things, saying, ‘I didn’t find in your daughter the tokens of virginity;’": This refers to the husband falsely accusing his wife of not being a virgin when they married. He is claiming that there was no physical evidence (the "tokens of virginity") to support her being a virgin on their wedding night.
"and yet these are the tokens of my daughter’s virginity.”: This is the father of the accused wife speaking. He is asserting that he does have proof that his daughter was a virgin when she married. This proof, according to the next part of the verse, is...
"They shall spread the cloth before the elders of the city.": The "cloth" here is likely the bedding from the wedding night. The idea is that the bloodstains (or lack thereof) on the cloth were considered evidence of the bride's virginity. The father is instructed to present this cloth to the elders of the city, who would act as judges in the case.
In Summary:
The verse is a crucial part of a legal process outlined in Deuteronomy. If a husband falsely accuses his new wife of not being a virgin, her father is given the opportunity to defend her. He must bring forth the bedding from the wedding night as evidence to the city elders, presumably to prove her virginity based on the presence of bloodstains.
Cultural Context and Interpretation:
Importance of Virginity: In ancient Israel, a woman's virginity at marriage was highly valued and seen as a sign of purity and family honor. This law reflects the importance placed on these values.
Blood as Evidence: The assumption that bleeding always occurs during the first act of intercourse is medically inaccurate. However, this was the prevailing belief in that culture.
Protection for Women: While the law may seem harsh by modern standards, it also provided a degree of protection for women who were falsely accused. Without this legal recourse, a woman could be severely shamed and possibly divorced without any way to defend herself.
The larger context: Deuteronomy 22:13-21 goes on to describe what happens if the accusation is proven false. The husband is punished by paying a fine to the woman's father and is required to remain married to her. If the accusation is proven true, the woman is to be stoned to death for bringing dishonor to her family.
This passage reflects the social and cultural values of ancient Israel and highlights the legal frameworks that were in place to address accusations of this nature. It's important to interpret this passage within its historical context, recognizing that it does not necessarily align with modern understandings of sexuality and justice.