Accusation of a woman (Deuteronomy 22:13-21)

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The content of this passage deals with the situation in which a husband accuses his wife of not being a virgin at the time of marriage. The passage prescribes a specific procedure to be followed by the parents of the accused woman, the husband, and the community elders. If the accusation is proven false, the husband is punished and fined, and he is not allowed to divorce his wife. If the accusation is proven true, the woman is stoned to death as punishment for her promiscuity.

The theological message of this passage is centered around the importance of sexual purity, especially for women, within the Israelite society. It emphasizes the need for maintaining the honor and reputation of families and the community as a whole. Furthermore, the passage underscores the serious consequences for individuals who either violate the moral code or falsely accuse others of doing so.

It is crucial to note that the cultural and historical context of these verses is vastly different from modern times, and contemporary interpretations and applications of these laws need to be considered carefully. While these verses may not be directly applicable to contemporary society, they can still serve as a basis for reflection on issues related to sexual morality, the importance of honesty, and the responsibility of individuals within ancient Israel community.

Vocabulary

Word Meaning
כִּי denn
לקח nehmen, ergreifen, packen
אִישׁ Mann
אִשָּׁה Frau; jede Frau
וְ und
בוא bringen, kommen lassen
אֶל zu, nach
הִיא sie
שׂנא hassen
שׂים setzen, legen

Biblical text

22:13כִּֽי־יִקַּ֥ח אִ֖ישׁ אִשָּׁ֑ה וּבָ֥א אֵלֶ֖יהָ וּשְׂנֵאָֽהּ׃14וְשָׂ֥ם לָהּ֙ עֲלִילֹ֣ת דְּבָרִ֔ים וְהוֹצִ֥יא עָלֶ֖יהָ שֵׁ֣ם רָ֑ע וְאָמַ֗ר אֶת־הָאִשָּׁ֤ה הַזֹּאת֙ לָקַ֔חְתִּי וָאֶקְרַ֣ב אֵלֶ֔יהָ וְלֹא־מָצָ֥אתִי לָ֖הּ בְּתוּלִֽים׃15וְלָקַ֛ח אֲבִ֥י הנער וְאִמָּ֑הּ וְהוֹצִ֜יאוּ אֶת־בְּתוּלֵ֧י הנער אֶל־זִקְנֵ֥י הָעִ֖יר הַשָּֽׁעְרָה׃16וְאָמַ֛ר אֲבִ֥י הנער אֶל־הַזְּקֵנִ֑ים אֶת־בִּתִּ֗י נָתַ֜תִּי לָאִ֥ישׁ הַזֶּ֛ה לְאִשָּׁ֖ה וַיִּשְׂנָאֶֽהָ׃17וְהִנֵּה־ה֡וּא שָׂם֩ עֲלִילֹ֨ת דְּבָרִ֜ים לֵאמֹ֗ר לֹֽא־מָצָ֤אתִי לְבִתְּךָ֙ בְּתוּלִ֔ים וְאֵ֖לֶּה בְּתוּלֵ֣י בִתִּ֑י וּפָֽרְשׂוּ֙ הַשִּׂמְלָ֔ה לִפְנֵ֖י זִקְנֵ֥י הָעִֽיר׃18וְלָֽקְח֛וּ זִקְנֵ֥י הָֽעִיר־הַהִ֖וא אֶת־הָאִ֑ישׁ וְיִסְּר֖וּ אֹתֽוֹ׃19וְעָנְשׁ֨וּ אֹת֜וֹ מֵ֣אָה כֶ֗סֶף וְנָתְנוּ֙ לַאֲבִ֣י הַֽנַּעֲרָ֔ה כִּ֤י הוֹצִיא֙ שֵׁ֣ם רָ֔ע עַ֖ל בְּתוּלַ֣ת יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וְלֽוֹ־תִהְיֶ֣ה לְאִשָּׁ֔ה לֹא־יוּכַ֥ל לְשַּׁלְּחָ֖הּ כָּל־יָמָֽיו׃ ס
20וְאִם־אֱמֶ֣ת הָיָ֔ה הַדָּבָ֖ר הַזֶּ֑ה לֹא־נִמְצְא֥וּ בְתוּלִ֖ים לנער׃21וְהוֹצִ֨יאוּ אֶת־הנער אֶל־פֶּ֣תַח בֵּית־אָבִ֗יהָ וּסְקָלוּהָ֩ אַנְשֵׁ֨י עִירָ֤הּ בָּאֲבָנִים֙ וָמֵ֔תָה כִּֽי־עָשְׂתָ֤ה נְבָלָה֙ בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל לִזְנ֖וֹת בֵּ֣ית אָבִ֑יהָ וּבִֽעַרְתָּ֥ הָרָ֖ע מִקִּרְבֶּֽךָ׃ ס