Deuteronomy 22:19

Verse

They are also to fine him a hundred shekels of silver and give them to the young woman’s father, because this man has given a virgin of Israel a bad name. And she shall remain his wife; he must not divorce her as long as he lives.

American Standard Version (1901)

and they shall fine him a hundred shekels of silver, and give them unto the father of the damsel, because he hath brought up an evil name upon a virgin of Israel: and she shall be his wife; he may not put her away all his days.

Bible in Basic English

They will take from him a hundred shekels of silver, which are to be given to the father of the girl, because he has given an evil name to a virgin of Israel: she will go on being his wife, he may never put her away all his life.

Douay-Rheims 1899

Condemning him besides in a hundred sides of silver, which he shall give to the damsel’s father, because he hath defamed by a very ill name a virgin of Israel: and he shall have her to wife, and may not put her away all the days of his life.

Free Bible Version

They shall also fine him a hundred shekels of silver and give the money to the young woman's father, because this man has given an Israelite virgin a bad name. She is to remain his wife; he is not allowed to divorce her as long as he lives.

Geneva Bible 1599

And shall condemne him in an hundreth shekels of siluer, and giue them vnto the father of the mayde, because he hath brought vp an euill name vpon a mayde of Israel: and she shalbe his wife, and he may not put her away all his life.

King James (Authorized) Version

And they shall amerce him in an hundred shekels of silver, and give them unto the father of the damsel, because he hath brought up an evil name upon a virgin of Israel: and she shall be his wife; he may not put her away all his days.

One Unity Resource Bible

They shall fine him one hundred shekels [2.5 lb; 1.13 kg] of silver, and give them to the father of the young lady, because he has given a bad name to a virgin of Israel [God prevails]. She shall be his wife. He may not divorce her all his days.

Translation for Translators

They shall require that he pay a fine of 100 pieces of silver and give the money to the father of the young woman, because the man caused an Israeli young woman to be disgraced. Also, that woman must continue to live with him; she is his wife. He is not allowed to divorce her during the rest of his life.

Unlocked Literal Bible

and they must fine him one hundred shekels of silver, and give them to the father of the girl, because the man has caused a bad reputation for a virgin of Israel. She must be his wife; he may not send her away during all his days.

Noah Webster Bible

And they shall amerce him in a hundred shekels of silver, and give them to the father of the damsel, because he hath brought an evil name upon a virgin of Israel: and she shall be his wife; he may not put her away all his days.

World English Bible

They shall fine him one hundred shekels of silver, and give them to the father of the young lady, because he has given a bad name to a virgin of Israel. She shall be his wife. He may not put her away all his days.

Young's Literal Translation

and fined him a hundred silverlings, and given to the father of the damsel, because he hath brought out an evil name on a virgin of Israel, and she is to him for a wife, he is not able to send her away all his days.

Context

Marriage Violations

¹⁸Then the elders of that city shall take the man and punish him. ¹⁹They are also to fine him a hundred shekels of silver and give them to the young woman’s father, because this man has given a virgin of Israel a bad name. And she shall remain his wife; he must not divorce her as long as he lives.

Summary

This verse addresses a situation where a man falsely accuses his wife of not being a virgin at the time of their marriage. The woman's parents are to present evidence of her virginity to the elders, who then punish the husband with a fine and may even forbid him from divorcing his wife. This law underscores the importance of honesty, integrity, and the sanctity of marriage in the eyes of God. It also serves to protect the dignity and rights of women in ancient Israelite society, ensuring they are not unjustly accused or mistreated.

Commentary

John Gill
Tyndale

John Gill Bible Commentary

But if this thing be true,.... Which the husband of the damsel laid to her charge, that she was no virgin when married to him, and she had committed whoredom, of which there was plain proof: and the tokens of virginity be not found for the damsel; by her parents, or those who had the care of her; or no sufficient reason could be assigned for the want of them, through any family defect, or any disorder of her own; which, as Maimonides (z) says, the judges were to inquire into. (z) Hilchot Ishot, c. 11. sect. 12.