Deuteronomy 22:26 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 22:26 mean?

Deuteronomy 22:26 says that the young woman in question should not be punished, because she has committed no crime deserving death; the situation is compared to an innocent person being attacked and killed by someone else. The verse makes clear that the woman is not guilty and should not suffer consequences for what happened.

In this part of Deuteronomy, Moses is giving laws to the Israelites about justice in difficult cases, specifically about accusations involving a young woman. The verse uses a comparison to murder to stress the woman's innocence, showing that she is a victim, not a wrongdoer. The law is meant to protect the innocent from unfair punishment.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 22:26

• דָּבָר (davar, "matter" or "thing"): This word is used at the end of the verse to refer to the situation or case being discussed. It highlights that the law is addressing a specific kind of incident, not making a general rule about all accusations.
• חֵטְא (chet, "sin"): This word, translated as "sin," emphasizes that the woman has not done anything morally or legally wrong. The verse is clear that she bears no guilt in this matter.
• מָוֶת (mavet, "death"): The word for "death" is used to show the seriousness of the accusation and the usual penalty for certain crimes, but here it is made clear that such a penalty is not appropriate for the woman.

Why Deuteronomy 22:26 matters

• This verse corrects any misunderstanding that a victim of violence or accusation is automatically guilty or deserving of punishment; it insists on careful judgment and protection for the innocent.
• The comparison to murder underlines the seriousness of wrongly punishing someone who is not at fault, reinforcing the need for justice and fairness in the community.
• Deuteronomy 22:26 fits into a larger section about sexual ethics and legal procedures, showing the importance of distinguishing between guilt and innocence in cases that could easily lead to injustice.