And, lo, he hath given occasions of speech against her, saying, I found not thy daughter a maid; and yet these are the tokens of my daughter's virginity. And they shall spread the cloth before the elders of the city.

DEUTERONOMY 22:17KJV
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Deuteronomy 22:17 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 22:17 mean?

Deuteronomy 22:17 describes a situation where a man accuses his new wife of not being a virgin at marriage, but her family presents physical evidence to defend her. The verse explains that the parents display a cloth as proof of the daughter's virginity before the city elders, countering the husband's accusation.

In this passage, Moses is giving instructions to the Israelites about how to handle disputes regarding a bride’s virginity. The elders of the city act as judges, and the parents of the bride are allowed to present "the tokens of my daughter's virginity"—likely a cloth with blood from the wedding night—as evidence. This law is part of a larger section dealing with marriage, honor, and justice in the community.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 22:17

  • "Occasions" (עֲלִילָה, ʿălîlāh): This word means "accusations" or "grounds for complaint." It highlights that the husband is formally bringing a charge against his wife, not just making a private claim.
  • "Speech" (דָּבָר, dābār): This is a common Hebrew word for "word" or "matter," emphasizing that this is a serious legal accusation, not mere gossip.
  • "Maid" and "Virginity" (בְּתוּלָה, bətūlāh): Both words relate to the idea of virginity, underlining the specific claim being disputed and the cultural importance placed on this status at marriage.
  • "Cloth" (שִׂמְלָה, simlāh): This refers to a garment or piece of cloth, which in this context is the physical evidence the parents present. The use of this word points to a tangible, visible proof required by the law.

Why Deuteronomy 22:17 matters

  • This verse clarifies that accusations about a bride’s virginity were not simply taken at face value; there was a process for evidence and defense, protecting women from false claims.
  • The verse shows the role of community elders as judges, emphasizing the importance of justice and due process in Israelite society.
  • Understanding this verse helps explain the broader biblical concern for family honor, legal fairness, and the protection of the vulnerable within the community.

Where else these words appear

“maid” Hebrew H1331 · used in 9 verses

  • Leviticus 21:13 And he shall take a wife in her virginity.
  • Deuteronomy 22:15 Then shall the father of the damsel, and her mother, take and bring forth the tokens of the damsel's virginity unto the elders of the city in the gate:
  • Judges 11:38 And he said, Go. And he sent her away for two months: and she went with her companions, and bewailed her virginity upon the mountains.

“occasions” Hebrew H5949 · used in 24 verses

  • Deuteronomy 22:14 And give occasions of speech against her, and bring up an evil name upon her, and say, I took this woman, and when I came to her, I found her not a maid:
  • Psalms 78:11 And forgat his works, and his wonders that he had shewed them.
  • Ezekiel 20:43 And there shall ye remember your ways, and all your doings, wherein ye have been defiled; and ye shall lothe yourselves in your own sight for all your evils that ye have committed.

“cloth” Hebrew H8071 · used in 28 verses

  • Genesis 9:23 And Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it upon both their shoulders, and went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were backward, and they saw not their father's nakedness.
  • Exodus 19:10 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes,
  • Judges 8:25 And they answered, We will willingly give them. And they spread a garment, and did cast therein every man the earrings of his prey.

“spread” Hebrew H6566 · used in 66 verses

  • Exodus 9:29 And Moses said unto him, As soon as I am gone out of the city, I will spread abroad my hands unto the LORD; and the thunder shall cease, neither shall there be any more hail; that thou mayest know how that the earth is the LORD'S.
  • 2 Kings 19:14 And Hezekiah received the letter of the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up into the house of the LORD, and spread it before the LORD.
  • Isaiah 33:23 Thy tacklings are loosed; they could not well strengthen their mast, they could not spread the sail: then is the prey of a great spoil divided; the lame take the prey.