Deuteronomy 22:24 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 22:24 mean?

Deuteronomy 22:24 describes a law in ancient Israel where both a man and a young woman are to be brought to the city gate and stoned to death if they are found together in the city in an act of adultery, with the woman not calling for help. The verse explains that the woman is punished because she did not cry out for help in the city, and the man because he violated another man's wife, with the goal of removing evil from the community.

Moses is speaking to the Israelites, giving them specific laws about sexual morality and justice as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. The situation described is one where both parties are presumed guilty of adultery, with the city setting implying that help could have been sought. The verse emphasizes communal responsibility for justice and the seriousness with which such offenses were treated in Israelite society.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 22:24

• "Gate" (שַׁעַר, shaʿar): The gate was the public place where legal matters were handled, showing that this judgment was a community matter, not a private one.
• "Humbled" (עָנָה, ʿanah): This word often means to violate or mistreat, highlighting the seriousness of the man's offense against his neighbor's wife.
• "Put away" (בָּעַר, baʿar): This verb means to remove or purge, underlining the intent to cleanse the community from wrongdoing, not just punish individuals.

Why Deuteronomy 22:24 matters

• This verse clarifies that the law distinguished between situations where a woman could have called for help and situations where she could not, showing an awareness of context in justice.
• The emphasis on bringing both parties to the city gate and involving the community highlights the public and communal nature of justice in ancient Israel.
• Deuteronomy 22:24 connects to the broader passage by showing how Israelite law aimed to protect marriage and maintain moral order, treating violations as serious threats to the community’s well-being.