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 22:17KJVWhat 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.