Deuteronomy 22:28

Verse

If a man encounters a virgin who is not pledged in marriage, and he seizes her and lies with her, and they are discovered,

American Standard Version (1901)

If a man find a damsel that is a virgin, that is not betrothed, and lay hold on her, and lie with her, and they be found;

Bible in Basic English

If a man sees a young virgin, who has not given her word to be married to anyone, and he takes her by force and has connection with her, and discovery is made of it;

Douay-Rheims 1899

If a man find a damsel that is a virgin, who is not espoused, and taking her, lie with her, and the matter come to judgment:

Free Bible Version

If a man happens to meet a virgin who is not engaged, and he grabs her and rapes her, and someone sees them,

Geneva Bible 1599

If a man finde a mayde that is not betrothed, and take her, and lye with her, and they be founde,

King James (Authorized) Version

¶ If a man find a damsel that is a virgin, which is not betrothed, and lay hold on her, and lie with her, and they be found;

One Unity Resource Bible

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;

Translation for Translators

“If a man rapes a young woman who is not engaged/promised to be married, if someone sees him while he is doing that,

Unlocked Literal Bible

If a man finds a girl who is a virgin but who is not engaged, and if he seizes her and sleeps with her, and if they are discovered,

Noah Webster Bible

If a man shall find a damsel that is a virgin, who is not betrothed, and lay hold on her, and lie with her, and they be found;

World English Bible

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,

Young's Literal Translation

'When a man findeth a damsel, a virgin who is not betrothed, and hath caught her, and lain with her, and they have been found,

Context

Marriage Violations

²⁷When he found her in the field, the betrothed woman cried out, but there was no one to save her.²⁸If a man encounters a virgin who is not pledged in marriage, and he seizes her and lies with her, and they are discovered, ²⁹then the man who lay with her must pay the young woman’s father fifty shekels of silver, and she must become his wife because he has violated her. He must not divorce her as long as he lives.

Summary

This verse addresses the situation where a man forces himself on a virgin who is not betrothed. It highlights the seriousness of the offense and the responsibility of the man to marry the woman he has violated, with the payment of a bride price to her father. This law aims to protect the dignity and well-being of the woman, ensuring that the man takes responsibility for his actions and provides for her future. It reflects the value of women in the community and emphasizes the importance of upholding justice and righteousness in all relationships.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

Then the man that lay with her shall give unto the damsel's father fifty shekels of silver, For the abuse of his daughter; and besides this was obliged to give her her dowry also, as Philo (d) says, which is commonly said to be fifty more: and she shall be his wife; if her father and she agreed to it; and in such a case the man was not at his liberty to refuse, be she what she would, agreeable or not, handsome or ugly; he must, as the Jews express it, drink out of his pot, or marry her, if she is lame, or blind, or full of ulcers (e): because he hath humbled her he may not put her away all his days: to all the other parts of his punishment, paying a fine of fifty shekels to the damsel's father, a dowry of the same sum to her, obligation to marry her whether he likes her or not, this is added, that he is not allowed to divorce her as long as he lives; which was permitted to other men, and this was wisely ordered to preserve chastity. (d) De Special. Leg. p. 787. (e) Misn. Cetubot, c. 3. sect. 5.