For he found her in the field, and the betrothed damsel cried, and there was none to save her.

DEUTERONOMY 22:27KJV
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Deuteronomy 22:27 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 22:27 mean?

Deuteronomy 22:27 explains that if a betrothed young woman is found alone in a field, cries out for help, and no one is there to rescue her, she is not considered guilty of wrongdoing. The verse highlights her helplessness and the lack of anyone to intervene on her behalf.

In this part of Deuteronomy, Moses is giving laws to the Israelites about justice and protecting the vulnerable. The context is a legal case about sexual assault, specifically distinguishing between situations where a woman could have been rescued and those where she could not. The verse emphasizes the importance of fairness and understanding the circumstances before making judgments.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 22:27

  • "field" (שָׂדֶה, sadeh): This word points to an open, isolated place, making it clear that the woman was far from help and could not expect rescue.
  • "cried" (צָעַק, tsa'aq): This word means to cry out or call for help, showing that the woman actively tried to resist and seek aid.
  • "save" (יָשַׁע, yasha): This word means to deliver or rescue, underlining that there was truly no one around to help her, reinforcing her innocence in the situation.

Why Deuteronomy 22:27 matters

  • This verse clears up the misunderstanding that a victim is always to blame if something happens; it shows the law takes circumstances into account.
  • Deuteronomy 22:27 highlights the need for careful investigation and compassion in legal matters, especially for those who are vulnerable or powerless.
  • The verse connects to the broader passage by showing how ancient Israelite law aimed to protect individuals from unfair punishment and to ensure justice was based on evidence and context.

Where else these words appear

“betrothed” Hebrew H781 · used in 10 verses

  • Exodus 22:16 And if a man entice a maid that is not betrothed, and lie with her, he shall surely endow her to be his wife.
  • Deuteronomy 22:25 But if a man find a betrothed damsel in the field, and the man force her, and lie with her: then the man only that lay with her shall die:
  • 2 Samuel 3:14 And David sent messengers to Ishbosheth Saul's son, saying, Deliver me my wife Michal, which I espoused to me for an hundred foreskins of the Philistines.

“cried” Hebrew H6817 · used in 53 verses

  • Genesis 4:10 And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground.
  • Joshua 24:7 And when they cried unto the LORD, he put darkness between you and the Egyptians, and brought the sea upon them, and covered them; and your eyes have seen what I have done in Egypt: and ye dwelt in the wilderness a long season.
  • 2 Kings 8:5 And it came to pass, as he was telling the king how he had restored a dead body to life, that, behold, the woman, whose son he had restored to life, cried to the king for her house and for her land. And Gehazi said, My lord, O king, this is the woman, and this is her son, whom Elisha restored to life.

“damsel” Hebrew H5291 · used in 57 verses

  • Genesis 24:14 And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, Drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my master.
  • Deuteronomy 22:28 If a man find a damsel that is a virgin, which is not betrothed, and lay hold on her, and lie with her, and they be found;
  • 1 Kings 1:3 So they sought for a fair damsel throughout all the coasts of Israel, and found Abishag a Shunammite, and brought her to the king.