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Home › Berean Standard Bible  › Deuteronomy 22  › Deuteronomy 22:20

Deuteronomy 22:20

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Deuteronomy 22:20 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

If, however, this accusation is true, and no proof of the young woman’s virginity can be found,

King James Version KJV

But if this thing be true, and the tokens of virginity be not found for the damsel:

American Standard Version ASV

But if this thing be true, that the tokens of virginity were not found in the damsel;

Bible in Basic English BBE

But if what he has said is true, and she is seen to be not a virgin,

Free Bible Version FBV

But if the accusation is true, and there's no proof of the woman's virginity,

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

But if this thing be true, that the mayde be not found a virgine,

Young's Literal Translation YLT

'And if this thing hath been truth — tokens of virginity have not been found for the damsel —

World English Bible WEB

But if this thing is true, that the tokens of virginity were not found in the young lady,

Noah Webster Bible WBS

But if this thing shall be true, and the tokens of virginity be not found for the damsel:

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

But if what he charged her with be true, and virginity be not found in the damsel:

Translation for Translators T4T

“But if what the man said is true, and there is nothing to prove that she was a virgin when he married her,

Study Highlights

Key words in the translations above are automatically highlighted. Names of God and Jesus are marked in purple, the Holy Spirit in orange, divine action verbs are underlined, and repeated key words are highlighted in yellow.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Deuteronomy 22:20

BAB
Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Deuteronomy 22:20 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB וְ/אִם אֱמֶ֣ת הָיָ֔ה הַ/דָּבָ֖ר הַ/זֶּ֑ה לֹא נִמְצְא֥וּ בְתוּלִ֖ים ל/נער לַֽ/נַּעֲרָֽה
וְ/אִם ʼim H518 if Conj | Conj
אֱמֶ֣ת ʼemeth H571 truth N-fs
הָיָ֔ה hâyâh H1961 to be V-Qal-Perf-3ms
הַ/דָּבָ֖ר dâbâr H1697 Chronicles Art | N-ms
הַ/זֶּ֑ה zeh H2088 this Art | Pron
לֹא lôʼ H3808 not Part
נִמְצְא֥וּ mâtsâʼ H4672 to find V-Niphal-Perf-3cp
בְתוּלִ֖ים bᵉthûwlîym H1331 virginity N-cp
ל/נער naʻărâh H5291 maiden Prep | N-fs
לַֽ/נַּעֲרָֽה naʻărâh H5291 maiden Prep | N-fs
Hebrew Word Study

Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.

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Hebrew Word Reference — Deuteronomy 22:20

וְ/אִם ʼim H518 "if" Conj | Conj
This Hebrew word is used to express conditions or questions, like if or whether. It can also be used to make oaths or express wishes, as in Oh that! It appears in various forms in the KJV, including if, though, and when.
Definition: : if/whether_or/though 1) if 1a) conditional clauses 1a1) of possible situations 1a2) of impossible situations 1b) oath contexts 1b1) no, not 1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or 1d) when, whenever 1e) since 1f) interrogative particle 1g) but rather
Usage: Occurs in 931 OT verses. KJV: (and, can-, doubtless, if, that) (not), [phrase] but, either, [phrase] except, [phrase] more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or, [phrase] save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, [phrase] surely (no more, none, not), though, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] unless, [phrase] verily, when, whereas, whether, while, [phrase] yet. See also: Genesis 4:7; Exodus 22:3; Leviticus 27:27.
אֱמֶ֣ת ʼemeth H571 "truth" N-fs
This Hebrew word means truth, faithfulness, or stability, and is often used to describe God's character and promises. In Psalm 100:5, it says God's truth endures forever, and in Proverbs 12:17, it emphasizes the importance of truthful speech.
Definition: : faithful 1) firmness, faithfulness, truth 1a) sureness, reliability 1b) stability, continuance 1c) faithfulness, reliableness 1d) truth 1d1) as spoken 1d2) of testimony and judgment 1d3) of divine instruction 1d4) truth as a body of ethical or religious knowledge 1d5) true doctrine adv 2) in truth, truly
Usage: Occurs in 125 OT verses. KJV: assured(-ly), establishment, faithful, right, sure, true (-ly, -th), verity. See also: Genesis 24:27; Psalms 111:7; Psalms 15:2.
הָיָ֔ה hâyâh H1961 "to be" V-Qal-Perf-3ms
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
הַ/דָּבָ֖ר dâbâr H1697 "Chronicles" Art | N-ms
A word or thing, like a matter or affair, as seen in the book of Chronicles where it refers to the events and words of kings. It can also mean a cause or reason for something.
Definition: This name means word, speaking
Usage: Occurs in 1290 OT verses. KJV: act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work. See also: Genesis 11:1; Exodus 23:8; Deuteronomy 18:21.
הַ/זֶּ֑ה zeh H2088 "this" Art | Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning this or that, used to point out a specific person or thing. It appears in many contexts, including Genesis and Psalms, to indicate something specific. The KJV translates it as he, here, or it.
Definition: 1) this, this one, here, which, this...that, the one...the other, another, such 1a) (alone) 1a1) this one 1a2) this...that, the one...the other, another 1b) (appos to subst) 1b1) this 1c) (as predicate) 1c1) this, such 1d) (enclitically) 1d1) then 1d2) who, whom 1d3) how now, what now 1d4) what now 1d5) wherefore now 1d6) behold here 1d7) just now 1d8) now, now already 1e) (poetry) 1e1) wherein, which, those who 1f) (with prefixes) 1f1) in this (place) here, then 1f2) on these conditions, herewith, thus provided, by, through this, for this cause, in this matter 1f3) thus and thus 1f4) as follows, things such as these, accordingly, to that effect, in like manner, thus and thus 1f5) from here, hence, on one side...on the other side 1f6) on this account 1f7) in spite of this, which, whence, how
Usage: Occurs in 1061 OT verses. KJV: he, [idiom] hence, [idiom] here, it(-self), [idiom] now, [idiom] of him, the one...the other, [idiom] than the other, ([idiom] out of) the (self) same, such (a one) that, these, this (hath, man), on this side...on that side, [idiom] thus, very, which. Compare H2063 (זֹאת), H2090 (זֹה), H2097 (זוֹ), H2098 (זוּ). See also: Genesis 5:1; Exodus 10:17; Numbers 14:16.
לֹא lôʼ H3808 "not" Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
נִמְצְא֥וּ mâtsâʼ H4672 "to find" V-Niphal-Perf-3cp
Matsa means to find or attain something, whether it is a physical object, a person, or a condition, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: 1) to find, attain to 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to find 1a1a) to find, secure, acquire, get (thing sought) 1a1b) to find (what is lost) 1a1c) to meet, encounter 1a1d) to find (a condition) 1a1e) to learn, devise 1a2) to find out 1a2a) to find out 1a2b) to detect 1a2c) to guess 1a3) to come upon, light upon 1a3a) to happen upon, meet, fall in with 1a3b) to hit 1a3c) to befall 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be found 1b1a) to be encountered, be lighted upon, be discovered 1b1b) to appear, be recognised 1b1c) to be discovered, be detected 1b1d) to be gained, be secured 1b2) to be, be found 1b2a) to be found in 1b2b) to be in the possession of 1b2c) to be found in (a place), happen to be 1b2d) to be left (after war) 1b2e) to be present 1b2f) to prove to be 1b2g) to be found sufficient, be enough 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to find, attain 1c2) to cause to light upon, come upon, come 1c3) to cause to encounter 1c4) to present (offering)
Usage: Occurs in 425 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] be able, befall, being, catch, [idiom] certainly, (cause to) come (on, to, to hand), deliver, be enough (cause to) find(-ing, occasion, out), get (hold upon), [idiom] have (here), be here, hit, be left, light (up-) on, meet (with), [idiom] occasion serve, (be) present, ready, speed, suffice, take hold on. See also: Genesis 2:20; Deuteronomy 22:3; 2 Kings 9:35.
בְתוּלִ֖ים bᵉthûwlîym H1331 "virginity" N-cp
Virginity refers to the state of being a virgin, and the tokens that prove it, as discussed in biblical laws and customs.
Definition: virginity
Usage: Occurs in 9 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] maid, virginity. See also: Leviticus 21:13; Deuteronomy 22:20; Ezekiel 23:8.
ל/נער naʻărâh H5291 "maiden" Prep | N-fs
A maiden is a young, unmarried woman, often described as a servant or attendant. In the Bible, it refers to women like the maidens who served in the temple or the young women who were eligible for marriage.
Definition: 1) girl, damsel, female servant 1a) girl, damsel, little girl 1a1) of young woman, marriageable young woman, concubine, prostitute 1b) maid, female attendant, female servant
Usage: Occurs in 57 OT verses. KJV: damsel, maid(-en), young (woman). See also: Genesis 24:14; Ruth 2:5; Proverbs 9:3.
לַֽ/נַּעֲרָֽה naʻărâh H5291 "maiden" Prep | N-fs
A maiden is a young, unmarried woman, often described as a servant or attendant. In the Bible, it refers to women like the maidens who served in the temple or the young women who were eligible for marriage.
Definition: 1) girl, damsel, female servant 1a) girl, damsel, little girl 1a1) of young woman, marriageable young woman, concubine, prostitute 1b) maid, female attendant, female servant
Usage: Occurs in 57 OT verses. KJV: damsel, maid(-en), young (woman). See also: Genesis 24:14; Ruth 2:5; Proverbs 9:3.

Study Notes — Deuteronomy 22:20

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Deuteronomy 22:20 Summary

[This verse, Deuteronomy 22:20, is saying that if a husband accuses his wife of not being a virgin when they got married, and it's true, then she will face serious consequences. This is because, in biblical times, being a virgin before marriage was very important, as seen in Deuteronomy 22:13-21. The Bible teaches that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, and we should honor God with our bodies, as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 6:18-20. This verse is a reminder that God calls us to live with purity and integrity in all areas of our lives, including our relationships.]

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the context of this verse in Deuteronomy 22:20?

This verse is part of a larger passage in Deuteronomy 22:13-21 that deals with the situation where a husband accuses his newly married wife of not being a virgin, and it provides the consequences if the accusation is true or false, as seen in Deuteronomy 22:18-19 and Deuteronomy 22:21.

Why was it important for a woman to be a virgin before marriage in biblical times?

In biblical times, a woman's virginity before marriage was highly valued, as seen in Deuteronomy 22:13-21, because it was a sign of purity and integrity, and it helped to ensure that the husband was the father of her children, as mentioned in Genesis 4:1-2 and Exodus 20:17.

What happens if the accusation against the wife is true, according to Deuteronomy 22:20-21?

If the accusation is true and no proof of the young woman's virginity can be found, she shall be brought to the door of her father's house and stoned to death, as stated in Deuteronomy 22:21, because she has committed an outrage in Israel by being promiscuous in her father's house.

How does this verse relate to the biblical concept of purity and holiness?

This verse highlights the importance of purity and holiness in the biblical worldview, as seen in Leviticus 11:44-45 and 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7, where God calls His people to be set apart and to live according to His standards of righteousness and purity.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does this verse reveal about God's heart for purity and integrity in relationships?
  2. How does this passage challenge my own understanding of the importance of purity and holiness in my life?
  3. What are some ways that I can apply the principles of purity and integrity in my own relationships and daily life?
  4. How does this verse relate to the broader biblical theme of God's desire for His people to be set apart and holy?

Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 22:20

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

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 22:20

If any man take a wife, and go in unto her, and hate her, If any man take a wife ... The regulations that follow might be imperatively needful in the then situation of the Israelites; and yet it is

Trapp's Commentary on Deuteronomy 22:20

Deuteronomy 22:20 But if this thing be true, [and the tokens of] virginity be not found for the damsel:Ver. 20. And the tokens.] Nor any natural impediment can be proved, as the Hebrews explain it.

Ellicott's Commentary on Deuteronomy 22:20

Deuteronomy 22:13-30. LAWS OF .(13-21) Virginity.—The law in these verses will be best appreciated by considering its effects. The maidens in Israel would be compelled to guard their maidenliness and innocence, as they valued their lives. Jealousy and caprice on the part of the husbands, in view of this law, would be avoided as likely to incur discredit and serious penalties. A fine of 100 shekels (as in Deuteronomy 22:19), or 50 (as in Deuteronomy 22:29), was no light matter for a nation who found a quarter shekel sufficient for a present to a great man (1 Samuel 9:8), and half a shekel too much for a poll-tax on the men of military age (1 Chronicles 21:3, and Exodus 30:15; Nehemiah 10:32). The law of the jealousy offering in Numbers 5:12-31, must also be taken into consideration, as guarding the fidelity of the wife. It would be most unadvisable for either man or woman so to act as to bring themselves under the penalties here described. The tendency of these laws would be to make all men watchful and careful for the honour of their families. (21) She hath wrought folly in Israel.—This expression should be noticed. It appears for the first time in Genesis 34:7, very shortly after the bestowal of the name Israel (Genesis 32). It would almost appear that the name entailed a higher standard of behaviour upon Jacob’s family, after the hand of the Holy One had been laid upon their father. A separate code of rules were binding upon the chosen people from the very beginning of their history. Hardly any point is made of more importance, from the birth of Isaac downwards, than the purity of the chosen seed. (22) Adultery.—See Leviticus 20:10. “Moses in the Law commanded us that such should be stoned.” It was not disputed by our Saviour (John 8:5).

Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 22:20

20. But if this charge be true, etc.] If the physical signs were alone relied on a miscarriage of justice was possible. Other evidence, however, may have been forthcoming. Indeed it is possible that the clause, the tokens, etc., is not original.

Whedon's Commentary on Deuteronomy 22:20

13-29. If any man take a wife, etc. — This section relates to purity in reference to marriage. The wellbeing of the family and of the state depends upon strict observance of the laws of purity in the relation of husband and wife.
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