Deuteronomy 22:29 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 22:29 mean?

Deuteronomy 22:29 says that if a man has sexual relations with a young unmarried woman without her consent, he must pay her father fifty shekels of silver and marry her, and he is not allowed to divorce her for the rest of his life. This law is given as part of a set of instructions for handling specific situations in ancient Israel.

In this verse, Moses is speaking to the Israelites, giving them laws from God about social and family matters. The situation described is one where a man has forced himself on a young woman who is not engaged. The verse sets out a financial penalty and a marriage requirement, which was intended to provide some protection and security for the woman in that historical context.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 22:29

• "humbled" (עָנָה, anah): This word often means to oppress, afflict, or violate. Here, it highlights that the woman has been wronged or mistreated, not just that a sexual act occurred.
• "fifty" (חֲמִשִּׁים, chamishim) and "silver" (כֶּסֶף, keseph): The specific amount of fifty shekels of silver shows the seriousness of the offense and sets a significant financial consequence.
• "may...away" (יוּכַל, yukhal and שָׁלַח, shalach): These words together mean the man is not permitted to send the woman away, emphasizing that he cannot later divorce her to avoid responsibility.

Why Deuteronomy 22:29 matters

• This verse is sometimes misunderstood as condoning or trivializing sexual assault, but in its historical context, it was meant to provide a form of restitution and security for the woman, who otherwise might have been left without social or economic support.
• The law emphasizes the seriousness of the offense by requiring both a substantial payment and a lifelong commitment, rather than allowing the man to walk away from his actions.
• This verse is part of a larger section detailing laws about sexual conduct, marriage, and social justice in ancient Israel, showing how the community was instructed to handle difficult situations with specific, enforceable rules.