Deuteronomy 22:28 - If a man finds a lady who is a virgin, who is not pledged to be married, grabs her, and lies with her, and they are found;
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What does "Deuteronomy 22:28" mean?
Deuteronomy 22:28-29 outlines the legal consequence for a man who has sexual relations with a virgin who is not betrothed (engaged). Let's break it down:
"If a man finds a lady who is a virgin, who is not pledged to be married...": This sets the scenario. The woman must be unmarried and a virgin. In the ancient world, a woman's virginity was highly valued, and often linked to her family's honor and her marriage prospects. "Pledged to be married" (betrothed or engaged) held a similar legal standing as marriage.
"...grabs her, and lies with her, and they are found...": This describes the act itself: non-consensual sexual intercourse. "Grabs her" implies a lack of consent, and "lies with her" indicates sexual intercourse. "And they are found" means their act becomes known - through witnesses, discovery in the act, or the woman's pregnancy becoming visible.
The verse continues in Deuteronomy 22:29:
"...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 put her away all his days."
This is where the consequence is outlined:
"Then the man who lay with her shall give to the father of the young woman fifty shekels of silver...": The man must pay a bride-price of fifty shekels of silver to the woman's father. This was compensation for devaluing her marriage prospects and bringing dishonor to her family.
"...and she shall be his wife because he has violated her...": The man is obligated to marry the woman. This requirement was in place to provide for her and protect her from social stigma.
"He may not put her away all his days.": He cannot divorce her. This provision further protected the woman, as divorce would leave her vulnerable and without means of support.
Interpretations and Implications:
Protection of Women: Some scholars argue that this law, while harsh, was intended to protect women in a society where they had limited rights. By requiring the man to marry the woman and preventing him from divorcing her, it ensured that she would be cared for.
Emphasis on Virginity: The importance placed on virginity reflects the societal norms of the time. A woman's virginity was seen as a valuable asset, and its loss could have significant consequences for her marriage prospects.
Legal and Social Context: It's important to understand this verse within its legal and social context. It was part of a larger legal code designed to regulate behavior and maintain order in ancient Israel.
Absence of Explicit Consent: The text describes the act as "grabbing" the woman, which strongly implies a lack of consent. The focus is on the act of intercourse with an unbetrothed virgin and the consequences that follow.
Modern Relevance: In modern legal systems, the lack of consent would be the most crucial factor, and the act would be considered rape. This verse should not be interpreted as condoning or excusing sexual assault.
Key takeaways:
This verse addresses the legal consequences of a man having non-consensual sexual relations with a virgin who is not betrothed.
It required the man to pay a bride-price to the woman's father and marry the woman.
He could not divorce her, providing her with long-term security.
The verse reflects the societal values and legal system of ancient Israel, particularly the importance placed on virginity and the protection of women within that context.
In modern times, the lack of consent would be paramount, and such an act would be considered a serious crime.
Deuteronomy 22:28 - If a man finds a lady who is a virgin, who is not pledged to be married, grabs her, and lies with her, and they are found;
What does "Deuteronomy 22:28" mean?
Deuteronomy 22:28-29 outlines the legal consequence for a man who has sexual relations with a virgin who is not betrothed (engaged). Let's break it down:
"If a man finds a lady who is a virgin, who is not pledged to be married...": This sets the scenario. The woman must be unmarried and a virgin. In the ancient world, a woman's virginity was highly valued, and often linked to her family's honor and her marriage prospects. "Pledged to be married" (betrothed or engaged) held a similar legal standing as marriage.
"...grabs her, and lies with her, and they are found...": This describes the act itself: non-consensual sexual intercourse. "Grabs her" implies a lack of consent, and "lies with her" indicates sexual intercourse. "And they are found" means their act becomes known - through witnesses, discovery in the act, or the woman's pregnancy becoming visible.
The verse continues in Deuteronomy 22:29:
"...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 put her away all his days."
This is where the consequence is outlined:
"Then the man who lay with her shall give to the father of the young woman fifty shekels of silver...": The man must pay a bride-price of fifty shekels of silver to the woman's father. This was compensation for devaluing her marriage prospects and bringing dishonor to her family.
"...and she shall be his wife because he has violated her...": The man is obligated to marry the woman. This requirement was in place to provide for her and protect her from social stigma.
"He may not put her away all his days.": He cannot divorce her. This provision further protected the woman, as divorce would leave her vulnerable and without means of support.
Interpretations and Implications:
Protection of Women: Some scholars argue that this law, while harsh, was intended to protect women in a society where they had limited rights. By requiring the man to marry the woman and preventing him from divorcing her, it ensured that she would be cared for.
Emphasis on Virginity: The importance placed on virginity reflects the societal norms of the time. A woman's virginity was seen as a valuable asset, and its loss could have significant consequences for her marriage prospects.
Legal and Social Context: It's important to understand this verse within its legal and social context. It was part of a larger legal code designed to regulate behavior and maintain order in ancient Israel.
Absence of Explicit Consent: The text describes the act as "grabbing" the woman, which strongly implies a lack of consent. The focus is on the act of intercourse with an unbetrothed virgin and the consequences that follow.
Modern Relevance: In modern legal systems, the lack of consent would be the most crucial factor, and the act would be considered rape. This verse should not be interpreted as condoning or excusing sexual assault.
Key takeaways:
This verse addresses the legal consequences of a man having non-consensual sexual relations with a virgin who is not betrothed.
It required the man to pay a bride-price to the woman's father and marry the woman.
He could not divorce her, providing her with long-term security.
The verse reflects the societal values and legal system of ancient Israel, particularly the importance placed on virginity and the protection of women within that context.
In modern times, the lack of consent would be paramount, and such an act would be considered a serious crime.