Laws of Chastity
Deuteronomy 22:13-30
Deu.22.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- יקח: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ובא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אליה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- ושנאה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Deut.22.20-21 (structural): Immediate legal continuation of v.13: procedure and penalty when a husband accuses his wife of not having been a virgin at marriage (same case and judicial process).
- Exod.22.16-17 (thematic): Handles obligations and consequences when a man's sexual conduct affects a woman's marriageability (seduction of a virgin): related concerns about virginity, marriage, and compensation.
- Deut.24.1-4 (thematic): Laws regulating divorce and remarriage address related problems of marital breakdown and allegations against wives — a broader legal context for disputes that can arise at marriage.
- Matt.1.19 (allusion): Joseph's intention to divorce Mary on grounds of apparent premarital sexual impropriety echoes the social-legal consequences when a betrothed/young wife is suspected of sexual unfaithfulness.
- 2 Sam.13:1-22 (thematic): The Amnon–Tamar episode highlights the social and familial fallout from sexual misconduct and accusations within marriage/household circles, illustrating the severe personal consequences behind the laws in Deut.22.13–21.
Alternative generated candidates
- If a man takes a wife, goes in to her, and then hates her,
- If a man takes a wife, goes in to her, and then hates her,
Deu.22.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ושם: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- עלילת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- דברים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- והוציא: VERB,hif,impf,3,m,sg
- עליה: PREP,3,f,sg
- שם: ADV
- רע: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- ואמר: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- האשה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- הזאת: DEM,f,sg,def
- לקחתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- ואקרב: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- אליה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- ולא: CONJ
- מצאתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,sg
- לה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- בתולים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 22:13 (verbal): Immediate parallel/precursor: introduces the husband's charge that he alleged to bring shame on the wife — same accusation language and narrative situation.
- Deuteronomy 22:18-19 (structural): Direct legal resolution of the false accusation in the same law-block: describes the city elders' examination and the punishment/fine if the charge is proved false.
- Deuteronomy 19:16-21 (thematic): General law against false witnesses and bearing a malicious report; sets out the principle of retributive punishment for false testimony, which underlies the procedure in Deut 22:13–21.
- Proverbs 6:16-19 (thematic): Lists a 'false witness who breathes out lies' among moral abominations; thematically echoes the condemnation of slanderous accusations that harm others' reputations.
- Exodus 22:15-16 (thematic): Related marital/sexual-ethics legislation concerning virginity, seduction, and obligations to a bride — parallels the social-legal context for disputes over a woman's virginity in Deut 22:13–21.
Alternative generated candidates
- and charges her with shameful words and spreads a bad name about her, saying, “I took this woman and came to her, but I found no proof of her virginity,”
- and lays a charge of disgraceful words against her and gives her a bad name, saying, “I took this woman and went in to her, and I did not find in her evidence of virginity,”
Deu.22.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ולקח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אבי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- הנערה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ואמה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- והוציאו: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- בתולי: NOUN,m,pl,cs
- הנערה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- זקני: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
- השערה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Deut 22:13-21 (structural): The broader legal unit containing v.15 — sets out the full procedure when a husband accuses a bride of not being a virgin, including parents presenting 'tokens' and the elders' role.
- Deut 22:20-21 (verbal): Immediate continuation that states the outcome if the 'tokens' are not produced (public accusation and capital punishment), directly tied to the evidentiary requirement in v.15.
- Exod 22:16-17 (thematic): Law concerning a man who seduces an unbetrothed virgin — addresses virginity, marriage obligations, and family compensation, reflecting similar social and legal concerns about premarital sexual relations.
- Num 5:11-31 (thematic): The ritual of the 'ordeal of jealousy' for a husband’s suspicion of a wife's infidelity; although procedurally different (priestly ritual vs. elders and 'tokens'), both provide formal legal means to adjudicate suspected sexual misconduct.
- Lev 20:10 (thematic): Prescribes the death penalty for adultery and other sexual crimes, illustrating the severe sanctions for sexual transgressions that form the legal backdrop to Deut 22's penalties.
Alternative generated candidates
- then the father and mother of the young woman shall bring out the tokens of the young woman’s virginity to the elders of the city at the gate.
- then the girl's father and her mother shall bring forth the tokens of the girl's virginity to the elders of the city at the gate.
Deu.22.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואמר: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- אבי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- הנערה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אל: NEG
- הזקנים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- את: PRT,acc
- בתי: NOUN,f,sg,abs,1cs
- נתתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- לאיש: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- לאשה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וישנאה: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg,OBJ=3,f,sg
Parallels
- Deut.22:13-21 (structural): Immediate legal and narrative context: these verses set out the procedure when a husband accuses his wife of not being a virgin—father's testimony, inspection of evidence, penalties—of which 22:16 is a part.
- Exod.22:16-17 (thematic): Related law about a man's obligation toward a virgin he has seduced (marriage or payment); connects to ancient Israelite concerns about virginity, bride rights, and family claims governing marriage.
- 2 Sam.13:14-15 (verbal): Narrative parallel in which Amnon, after sexually violating Tamar, is described as hating her ('he hated her with a very great hatred'), echoing the emotional pattern of consummation followed by repudiation expressed in Deut 22:16.
- Deut.24:1 (thematic): Law concerning divorce for 'some uncleanness' in a wife; thematically linked to disputes and legal outcomes when a husband rejects or repudiates a wife on grounds of sexual misconduct or perceived impurity.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the father of the young woman shall say to the elders, “I gave my daughter to this man as a wife, and he hates her;
- And the girl's father shall say to the elders, “I gave my daughter to this man as a wife, and he hates her.”
Deu.22.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והנה: ADV
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- שם: ADV
- עלילת: NOUN,f,sg,const
- דברים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- לא: PART_NEG
- מצאתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,sg
- לבתך: NOUN,f,sg,abs,prs:2,m
- בתולים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ואלה: CONJ+DEM,pl,abs
- בתולי: NOUN,m,pl,const
- בתי: NOUN,f,sg,abs,prs:1,sg
- ופרשו: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- השמלה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- לפני: PREP
- זקני: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 22:13-21 (structural): Immediate legal pericope describing the accusation that a bride was not a virgin, the evidence (the garment), the examination by elders, and sanctions — the broader context of v.17.
- Exodus 22:16-17 (verbal): Law dealing with a man who seduces an unbetrothed virgin (payment/marriage) — addresses virginity and marriage obligations and shows parallel legal concern for protecting a woman's virginity-status in marital contexts.
- Numbers 5:11-31 (structural): The ordeal of the bitter water for a wife suspected of adultery: a community/legal ritual to determine sexual faithfulness — parallels the communal/procedural resolution of sexual-virginity disputes in Deut 22.
- Deuteronomy 22:23-24 (thematic): Law prescribing capital punishment when a betrothed virgin is violated in a city — closely related subject-matter about virginity, consent, and communal adjudication of sexual offences.
- Leviticus 20:10 (thematic): Prescribes death for the man and woman guilty of adultery — parallels Deut 22's sanctions for sexual transgressions and underscores the severe legal consequences attached to sexual misconduct in the law code.
Alternative generated candidates
- and behold, he has set up this charge, saying, ‘I found no proof of your daughter’s virginity’—and here are the tokens of my daughter’s virginity.” Then they shall spread the cloth before the elders of the city.
- And behold, he has brought an accusation, saying, ‘I did not find your daughter a virgin’; and here are the tokens of my daughter's virginity.” Then they shall spread the cloth before the elders of the city.
Deu.22.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ולקחו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- זקני: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- האיש: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויסרו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
Parallels
- Deut.22.19 (structural): Immediate continuation of the same case: after the elders take the man and punish him, they also fine him one hundred shekels and restore the bride’s honor — shows the prescribed communal sanctions administered by city authorities.
- Deut.21.18-21 (structural): The law concerning a stubborn and rebellious son: the elders of the city bring him out to the gates and stone him. Parallel in that city elders carry out communal corporal/capital discipline.
- Deut.13.12-18 (thematic): Procedure for dealing with an idolatrous city: investigation and then destruction carried out by the city's leaders and the community. Parallels the role of local authorities in enforcing covenant penalties.
- Deut.17.2-7 (structural): When a person is found to have led others into idolatry, he is handed over and stoned by the men of his city after adjudication — another example of communal execution/discipline administered at the city level.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then the elders of that city shall take the man and punish him.
- The elders of that city shall take the man and punish him.
Deu.22.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וענשו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- מאה: NUM,f,sg,abs
- כסף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ונתנו: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- לאבי: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs,1cs
- הנערה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- כי: CONJ
- הוציא: VERB,hif,perf,3,ms,sg
- שם: ADV
- רע: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- בתולת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ולו: CONJ+PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- תהיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,f,sg
- לאשה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- יוכל: VERB,qal,impf,3,ms
- לשלחה: PREP+VERB,qal,inf+PRON,3,f,sg,acc
- כל: DET
- ימיו: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Exodus 22:16–17 (verbal): If a man seduces a virgin he must pay a bride-price and take her to be his wife — closely parallels the obligation to pay the girl's father and to marry her.
- Deuteronomy 22:28–29 (structural): A nearby provision requiring a man who has sexual intercourse with an unbetrothed virgin to pay and marry her — similar remedy but different context and fine amount.
- Numbers 5:11–31 (thematic): Procedure for handling suspected sexual unfaithfulness (the jealous-husband ordeal) — relates to community adjudication and testing of sexual purity accusations.
- Deuteronomy 24:1–4 (thematic): Laws governing divorce and remarriage — contrasts with Deut 22:19’s prohibition on putting away the woman for life after the payment/mandated marriage.
Alternative generated candidates
- They shall fine him one hundred shekels of silver and give them to the father of the young woman, because he has brought a bad name upon a virgin of Israel; and she shall remain his wife—he may not divorce her all his days.
- They shall impose on him a fine of one hundred shekels of silver and give it to the girl's father, because he has brought a disgrace upon a virgin of Israel; and he shall be her husband—he may not divorce her all his days.
Deu.22.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואם: CONJ
- אמת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- היה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- הדבר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- נמצאו: VERB,niphal,perf,3,pl
- בתולים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לנערה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 22:13-21 (structural): Immediate legal context: the full procedure for a husband's accusation that his bride was not a virgin, including the demand for 'tokens of virginity' and the investigation leading to Deut 22:20.
- Deuteronomy 22:23-27 (thematic): Related provisions distinguishing cases of sexual intercourse in the city (implying consent) and in the field (implying rape), showing how virginity, consent, and blame determine legal outcome and punishment.
- Exodus 22:16-17 (thematic): Another law dealing with relations involving a virgin: if a man seduces an unbetrothed virgin he must pay and marry her—shows alternative legal responses concerning a woman's virginity and male responsibility.
- 2 Samuel 13 (thematic): Narrative case (Amnon and Tamar) illustrating social and familial consequences of rape/ loss of virginity, including honor-shame dynamics and calls for severe punishment echoed in the Deuteronomic law.
Alternative generated candidates
- But if the charge is true, and no proof of the young woman’s virginity is found,
- But if the charge is true—no tokens of virginity were found for the girl—
Deu.22.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והוציאו: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- הנערה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אל: NEG
- פתח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אביה: NOUN,m,sg,suff
- וסקלוה: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl+PRON,3,f,sg
- אנשי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- עירה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- באבנים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ומתה: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- כי: CONJ
- עשתה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- נבלה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לזנות: VERB,qal,inf
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אביה: NOUN,m,sg,suff
- ובערת: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- הרע: ADJ,m,sg,def
- מקרבך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+2ms
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 22:13-19 (structural): Part of the same statutory block dealing with claims about a bride’s virginity; these verses prescribe the investigation and sanctions when a husband’s charge is false, providing the procedural counterpart to 22:21’s penalty when the charge is upheld.
- Deuteronomy 22:23-24 (structural): Closely related rule about a betrothed woman who has sexual relations in the city — both parties are liable to death by stoning — showing the same capital sanction for sexual activity during betrothal and highlighting differences of location/consent in the law-set.
- Deuteronomy 22:25-27 (thematic): Treats the case of forcible intercourse (rape) in the field, where the woman is declared innocent and the man punished; contrasts with 22:21 by distinguishing consensual or proven sexual activity from coercion and by assigning different culpability.
- Exodus 22:16-17 (thematic): Regulates a man's relations with an unbetrothed virgin he has seduced (payment or marriage) rather than capital punishment, illustrating how penalties vary with betrothal status and consent compared with the harsher sanction in Deut 22:21.
- Leviticus 20:10 (thematic): Imposes death on both parties for adultery, providing a broader legal precedent in the Torah for capital punishment in cases of sexual transgression and reinforcing the severe communal response to illicit sexual acts.
Alternative generated candidates
- they shall bring the young woman out to the doorway of her father’s house, and the men of the city shall stone her to death; for she has committed a disgraceful act in Israel, prostituting her father’s house; thus you shall purge the evil from your midst.
- they shall bring the girl out to the door of her father's house, and the men of her city shall stone her to death; she has committed a disgraceful act in Israel by prostituting herself in her father's house, and thus you shall purge the evil from among you.
Deu.22.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- ימצא: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שכב: VERB,qal,inf
- עם: PREP
- אשה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בעלת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בעל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ומתו: CONJ+VERB,qal,imperf,3,_,pl
- גם: ADV
- שניהם: PRON,3,m,pl
- האיש: NOUN,m,sg,def
- השכב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg,def
- עם: PREP
- האשה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- והאשה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ובערת: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- הרע: ADJ,m,sg,def
- מישראל: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg
Parallels
- Leviticus 20:10 (verbal): Direct legal parallel: prescribes death for both the man and woman who commit adultery; language and penalty closely mirror Deut 22:22.
- Exodus 20:14 (Deuteronomy 5:18) (thematic): The Decalogue's prohibition 'You shall not commit adultery' provides the foundational moral command underlying the criminal sanction in Deut 22:22.
- Numbers 5:11–31 (structural): Prescribes the ritual ordeal (bitter water) for a husband’s suspicion of adultery when guilt is uncertain—contrasts with Deut’s capital punishment for a proven act of adultery.
- Deuteronomy 22:23–24 (structural): Immediate parallel within the same legal unit dealing with sexual offenses: prescribes death when a betrothed virgin is found lying with a man, part of the same Deuteronomic code on illicit sexual relations.
- Proverbs 6:32–33 (thematic): Wisdom literature warning about the ruinous consequences of adultery (shame, violence, loss), thematically reinforcing the prohibition and social dangers addressed in Deut 22:22.
Alternative generated candidates
- If a man is found lying with a married woman, both of them shall die—the man who lay with the woman and the woman; so you shall purge the evil from Israel.
- If a man is found lying with a married woman, both the man who lay with the woman and the woman shall die; so you shall purge the evil from Israel.
Deu.22.23 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- יהיה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- נערה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בתולה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מארשה: VERB,qal,ptc,f,sg
- לאיש: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ומצאה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg+OBJ,3,f,sg
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בעיר: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ושכב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- עמה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
Parallels
- Deut.22:25-27 (structural): Immediate continuation of the same law that distinguishes rape in the field (where the victim could have cried for help) from the city case; prescribes the death penalty for the assailant in the field scenario, contrasting legal outcomes with 22:23.
- Deut.22:28-29 (structural): Closely related clause in the same chapter dealing with a man who seizes a betrothed virgin in the field — prescribes payment and marriage — showing the chapter's range of legal responses to sexual intercourse with a virgin who is betrothed or unmarried.
- Exod.22:16-17 (verbal): Earlier law about a man who seduces/has intercourse with a virgin not betrothed (he must pay the bride-price and marry); shares legal vocabulary and concerns about virginity, bride-price, and marriage obligations.
- 2 Sam.13:1-22 (thematic): Narrative case of Amnon's rape of Tamar which illustrates the social and familial consequences of sexual violence against a virgin/betrothed woman and reflects the moral/legal anxieties addressed by the Deuteronomic statute.
Alternative generated candidates
- If a betrothed virgin is taken in the city and a man lies with her,
- If a young woman pledged to be married to a man is found in the city with another man and he lies with her,
Deu.22.24 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והוצאתם: VERB,hif,impf,2,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- שניהם: PRON,3,m,pl
- אל: NEG
- שער: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
- וסקלתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
- באבנים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ומתו: CONJ+VERB,qal,imperf,3,_,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- הנערה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- על: PREP
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- לא: PART_NEG
- צעקה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בעיר: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- האיש: NOUN,m,sg,def
- על: PREP
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- ענה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- אשת: NOUN,f,sg,cns
- רעהו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- ובערת: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- הרע: ADJ,m,sg,def
- מקרבך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+2ms
Parallels
- Deut.22:22 (verbal): Closely related law in the same chapter prescribing death for a man and woman found lying together when the woman is married—similar wording and the double execution motif.
- Deut.22:25-27 (structural): Immediate contrast case in the chapter: rape in the open field where the woman is declared innocent and only the man is to die—distinguishes consent (city case) from assault (field case).
- Lev.20:10 (thematic): Priestly law prescribing death for both adulterer and adulteress when a man lies with another man's wife; parallels the underlying penal principle and mutual culpability for adultery.
- John 8:3-11 (allusion): NT narrative about a woman caught in adultery brought to be stoned; invokes the practice of stoning for sexual offenses and presents Jesus' alternative response to the application of the law.
Alternative generated candidates
- then you shall bring them both out to the gate of that city and stone them to death—the young woman because she did not cry out in the city, and the man because he violated his neighbor’s wife; so you shall purge the evil from your midst.
- then you shall bring them both out to the gate of that city and stone them to death—the young woman because she did not cry out in the city, and the man because he violated his neighbor's wife; thus you shall purge the evil from among you.
Deu.22.25 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואם: CONJ
- בשדה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ימצא: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- האיש: NOUN,m,sg,def
- את: PRT,acc
- הנערה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- המארשה: ADJ,f,sg,def
- והחזיק: VERB,hif,perf,3,m,sg
- בה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- האיש: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ושכב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- עמה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- ומת: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- האיש: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- שכב: VERB,qal,inf
- עמה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- לבדו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 22:23-24 (structural): Immediate parallel within the same law block: presents the contrasting city case where a betrothed woman found in the house who does not cry out is treated as a willing participant and both parties are punished.
- Deuteronomy 22:26-27 (verbal): Direct continuation of the same ruling clarifying the woman's innocence in the field case because she could not be heard to cry out, explaining why only the man is liable.
- Exodus 22:16-17 (thematic): Related statute about sexual relations with an unbetrothed virgin (seduction/rape): the focus on the woman's marital status and different legal consequences (bride-price/marriage rather than capital punishment) highlights legal distinctions in sexual offenses.
- Leviticus 20:10 (thematic): Prescribes death for adultery (man and married woman), reflecting the broader Pentateuchal principle that sexual violation of a marriage/betrothal bond carries capital penalty, paralleling Deut 22's treatment of intercourse with a betrothed woman.
- Judges 19:22-30 (thematic): Narrative case of brutal sexual violence against a woman and the community's response; illustrates the social reality behind the laws and the severe communal consequences when such crimes occur and law/justice break down.
Alternative generated candidates
- But if in the open country the man finds the betrothed young woman and seizes her and lies with her, then only the man who lay with her shall die.
- But if in the field the man meets the young woman pledged to be married and seizes her and lies with her, then only the man who lay with her shall die.
Deu.22.26 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ולנערה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- תעשה: VERB,qal,imf,2,m,sg
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אין: PART,neg
- לנערה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- חטא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מות: VERB,qal,infabs
- כי: CONJ
- כאשר: CONJ
- יקום: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- רעהו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- ורצחו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg,suff:3,m
- נפש: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- כן: ADV
- הדבר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
Parallels
- Deut.22:25-27 (verbal): Immediate parallel within the same legislative unit: the rape-in-the-field case — repeats the determination that the woman is not guilty and prescribes death for the assailant; shares wording and legal logic with 22:26.
- Deut.22:23-24 (structural): Contrasts the city case (a betrothed woman found in a house) where the law treats the situation differently (both may be punished if there was no cry for help); highlights the contextual distinction behind 22:26.
- Judges 19:25-30 (thematic): Narrative account of the gang rape and death of the Levite's concubine; thematically parallels Deut 22:26 in depicting sexual violence as a grave, often lethal social crime and provoking communal/legal outrage.
- Exod.22:16-17 (thematic): Regulation concerning a man who sleeps with an unbetrothed maiden (marriage/compensation rather than capital punishment); thematically related as another legal response to sexual violation and concern for the woman's status and rights.
- Gen.34:1-31 (thematic): The rape of Dinah by Shechem and the violent familial aftermath — another Israelite narrative showing how sexual assault prompts legal, familial, and communal responses, paralleling the moral and social stakes evident in Deut 22:26.
Alternative generated candidates
- But do nothing to the young woman—there is no sin of death in her; for when a man rises against his neighbor and murders him, so is this matter.
- To the young woman you shall do nothing; there is no sin deserving death in the young woman—for as when a man rises against his neighbor and murders him, so is this matter.
Deu.22.27 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- בשדה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מצאה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- צעקה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- הנערה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- המארשה: ADJ,f,sg,def
- ואין: CONJ+PART,exist
- מושיע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
Parallels
- Deut.22.25 (verbal): Immediate legal parallel in the same chapter — same scenario “met the girl in the field” and the same language about coercion and culpability.
- Deut.22.26 (structural): The preceding verse in the legal unit that frames the exception and outcome for rape in the open country — part of the same juridical argument and narrative sequence.
- 2 Samuel 13:11-14 (verbal): Tamar’s cry and helplessness when Amnon forces her — language and motif of a woman crying out and no one to rescue her echo the distressing scene in Deut 22:27.
- Judges 19:25-29 (thematic): The Levite’s concubine is assaulted in a public/private setting and left without rescue; thematically parallels Deut’s concern with sexual violence, vulnerability in isolated places, and communal response.
- Genesis 34:2-3 (thematic): Dinah’s violation by Shechem is another narrative of sexual assault and its social-legal repercussions, thematically related to Deut’s treatment of rape, honor, and community responsibility.
Alternative generated candidates
- For it was in the field that the betrothed young woman cried out, and there was no one to rescue her.
- For the young woman found herself in the field and cried out, and there was no one to rescue her.
Deu.22.28 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- ימצא: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נערה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בתולה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- לא: PART_NEG
- ארשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- ותפשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ושכב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- עמה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- ונמצאו: VERB,niphal,perf,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Exodus 22:16-17 (verbal): A near-parallel law: if a man seduces (or lies with) a virgin not betrothed he must pay a bride-price and marry her; shares legal solution for premarital sexual relations.
- Deut.22:23-27 (structural): Immediate Deuteronomic context distinguishing cases of a betrothed versus an unbetrothed virgin and prescribing different punishments and outcomes for sexual assault.
- Genesis 34 (thematic): The rape of Dinah by Shechem and the demand to ‘take her and go in to her’ echoes the link between sexual violation and subsequent claims to marriage or honor and the social/legal responses to such acts.
- 2 Samuel 13:1-22 (thematic): Amnon’s rape of Tamar parallels themes of sexual violence within the community/family and the tragic social consequences, highlighting limits of forced marriage as a remedy.
- Judges 19 (thematic): The gang-rape and murder of the Levite’s concubine illustrates communal sexual violence and its catastrophic social/legal fallout, resonating with Deut.22’s concern to regulate and adjudicate sexual offenses.
Alternative generated candidates
- If a man finds a virgin who is not betrothed, seizes her, and lies with her, and they are discovered,
- If a man meets a virgin who is not pledged, seizes her and lies with her, and they are discovered,
Deu.22.29 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ונתן: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- האיש: NOUN,m,sg,def
- השכב: VERB,qal,part,3,m,sg,def
- עמה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- לאבי: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs,1cs
- הנערה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- חמשים: NUM,card,pl
- כסף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ולו: CONJ+PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- תהיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,f,sg
- לאשה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- תחת: PREP
- אשר: PRON,rel
- ענה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- יוכל: VERB,qal,impf,3,ms
- שלחה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- כל: DET
- ימיו: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Exodus 22:16-17 (verbal): Prescribes that a man who seduces an unbetrothed virgin must pay the bride-price and marry her (or pay if the father refuses) — closely parallel legal remedy of payment and marriage in Deut.22:29.
- Deuteronomy 22:23-24 (structural): Adjacent case in the same legal unit: if a betrothed woman is violated in the city both parties are to be punished with death — contrasts treatment when the woman is betrothed versus the situation of Deut.22:29.
- Deuteronomy 22:25-27 (thematic): Deals with rape in the open country where the assailant is to die and the woman is innocent — highlights the distinction between forcible rape and the seduction/assault addressed in Deut.22:29.
- Genesis 34:12-16 (thematic): Narrative of Shechem and Dinah: Shechem offers to take the woman and pay the father to secure marriage — a non-legal, narrative parallel showing payment/dowry and marriage as remedies after sexual violation.
Alternative generated candidates
- then the man who lay with her shall give fifty shekels of silver to the young woman’s father, and she shall be his wife—because he violated her; he may not divorce her all his days.
- then the man who lay with her shall give the girl's father fifty shekels of silver, and she shall be his wife; he may not divorce her all his days.
If a man takes a wife and goes in to her and then hates her,
and he lays a charge against her, brings an evil report against her, and says, ‘This woman I took and went in to her, but I did not find in her the tokens of virginity,’
then the father of the young woman and her mother shall take the tokens of the young woman’s virginity and bring them out to the elders of the city, to the gate. And the young woman’s father shall say to the elders, ‘I gave my daughter to this man as a wife, and he hates her.’ And behold, he has brought a charge, saying, ‘I found not your daughter’s virginity,’ yet here are the tokens of my daughter’s virginity; and they shall spread the garment before the elders of the city.
Then the elders of that city shall take the man and chastise him.
They shall impose on him a penalty of one hundred shekels of silver and give them to the young woman’s father, because he has brought a bad name on a virgin of Israel; and she shall remain his wife — he shall not be permitted to dismiss her all his days. But if the charge is true and the tokens of virginity were not found for the young woman,
they shall bring the young woman out to the entrance of her father’s house, and the men of her city shall stone her to death; for she has committed a disgraceful act in Israel, prostituting herself in her father’s house — thus you purge the evil from your midst.
If a man is found lying with a married woman, then both of them shall die — the man who lay with the woman and the woman; so you shall purge the evil from Israel.
If there is a betrothed virgin to a man, and a man finds her in the city and lies with her,
you shall bring them both out to the gate of that city and stone them with stones; the young woman because she did not cry out in the city, and the man because he violated his neighbor’s wife — thus you purge the evil from among you. But if the man finds the betrothed woman in the field and the man seizes her and lies with her, then only the man who lay with her shall die.
To the young woman nothing shall be done; there is no guilt of death in her, for this case is like when a man rises against his neighbor and murders him.
For the betrothed woman cried out in the field, and there was no one to rescue her.
If a man finds a virgin who is not betrothed, seizes her and lies with her, and they are discovered,
the man who lay with her shall give 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 send her away all his days.