Deuteronomy 22:25 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 22:25 mean?

Deuteronomy 22:25 says that if a man finds a woman who is engaged to be married out in the field and forces her to have sex with him, only the man who did this must be put to death. The woman is not to be punished, because the act was against her will.

This verse is part of Moses’ instructions to the Israelites about laws for sexual conduct. The situation described is one where a betrothed (engaged) woman is attacked away from help, making it clear she is not consenting. The law singles out the man as guilty and deserving of the death penalty, emphasizing the seriousness of the crime and protecting the woman from blame.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 22:25

• בָּחוּר (ish, H376): This word is used for "man" throughout the verse, highlighting that the responsibility and guilt fall on the male perpetrator.
• חָזַק (chazaq, H2388): Translated as "force," this word means to seize or overpower, making it clear that the act is violent and against the woman's will.
• מָצָא (matsa, H4672): "Find" here means to come upon or encounter, indicating the man initiates the encounter in a setting where the woman is vulnerable.
• מֵתוּ (muth, H4191): "Die" is the word for the death penalty, showing the law’s seriousness about this offense.

Why Deuteronomy 22:25 matters

• This verse corrects any idea that a woman attacked in such a situation is at fault or shares guilt; the law clearly protects her.
• The verse emphasizes that consent and setting matter: being in the field means she could not call for help, so her innocence is assumed.
• Deuteronomy 22:25 fits into a larger section that distinguishes between consensual and non-consensual acts, showing careful attention to justice and fairness in the law.