Then they shall bring out the damsel to the door of her father's house, and the men of her city shall stone her with stones that she die: because she hath wrought folly in Israel, to play the whore in her father's house: so shalt thou put evil away from among you.
DEUTERONOMY 22:21KJVWhat does Deuteronomy 22:21 mean?
Deuteronomy 22:21 describes a law in ancient Israel that called for the execution by stoning of a young woman found guilty of sexual immorality while living in her father’s house, as a way to remove evil from the community. This verse reflects the seriousness with which the Israelite law treated sexual conduct and the importance placed on community purity.
In this passage, Moses is speaking to the Israelites, laying out specific laws for their society as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. The situation described is a legal case involving a young unmarried woman (“damsel”) accused of having engaged in sexual relations before marriage, which was seen as a grave offense against both her family and the wider community. The law’s harshness highlights the communal values and the role of family honor in ancient Israelite society.
The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 22:21
- "damsel" (נַעֲרָה, na‘arah): This word refers specifically to a young, unmarried woman, emphasizing her status in her father’s household and the expectations of purity.
- "folly" (נְבָלָה, nevalah): This term often means a disgraceful or senseless act, especially one that violates community norms, showing that the offense is not just personal but seen as a threat to the whole group.
- "whore" (זָנָה, zanah): This verb means to commit sexual immorality or unfaithfulness, and in this context, it underscores the charge against the woman as a betrayal of family and community trust.
- "put...away" (בָּעַר, ba‘ar): This verb means to remove or purge, and it signals that the law’s purpose is to protect the community by eliminating behavior considered harmful or corrupting.
Why Deuteronomy 22:21 matters
- This verse helps clarify how ancient Israelite law connected personal behavior with the well-being of the entire community, treating some private actions as public concerns.
- The law’s severity shows the high value placed on family honor and communal purity, which can be misunderstood without knowing the ancient context.
- Deuteronomy 22:21 fits into a larger section about sexual ethics and legal procedures, showing the detailed and communal nature of Israel’s legal code.