Deuteronomy 22:17

KJV

And, lo, he hath given occasions of speech [against her], saying, I found not thy daughter a maid; and yet these [are the tokens of] my daughter's virginity. And they shall spread the cloth before the elders of the city.

KJV (with Strong's)

And, lo, he hath given {H7760} occasions {H5949} of speech {H1697} against her, saying {H559}, I found {H4672} not thy daughter {H1323} a maid {H1331}; and yet these are the tokens of my daughter's {H1323} virginity {H1331}. And they shall spread {H6566} the cloth {H8071} before {H6440} the elders {H2205} of the city {H5892}.

Complete Jewish Bible

so he has brought false charges that he didn't find evidence of her virginity; yet here is the evidence of my daughter's virginity'-(

Berean Standard Bible

And now he has accused her of shameful conduct, saying, ‘I discovered that your daughter was not a virgin.’ But here is the proof of her virginity.” And they shall spread out the cloth before the city elders.

American Standard Version

and, lo, he hath laid shameful things to her charge, saying, I found not in thy daughter the tokens of virginity; and yet these are the tokens of my daughter’s virginity. And they shall spread the garment before the elders of the city.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 22:17 details a crucial legal procedure in ancient Israel, outlining the father's defense of his newlywed daughter against a husband's accusation of non-virginity. In this high-stakes scenario, the father presents physical evidence—the "tokens of virginity"—by spreading a cloth before the city elders, thereby publicly vindicating his daughter and preserving her honor and life from a potentially fatal false charge. This verse underscores the meticulous nature of Israelite law in protecting the vulnerable and ensuring due process in serious matters of family and community integrity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 22 is a diverse collection of laws, often referred to as the Deuteronomic Code, covering various aspects of Israelite life, including social order, sexual purity, and justice. Verses 13-21 specifically address cases of sexual misconduct and marital disputes. The preceding verses (Deuteronomy 22:13-16) set the stage by describing the husband's initial accusation and the father's subsequent action. Deuteronomy 22:13 introduces the scenario where a man marries a woman, then "hates her" and brings an evil report against her, claiming she was not a virgin. Verses 14-16 detail the accusation itself and the father's responsibility to gather the evidence. Our verse, Deuteronomy 22:17, then describes the public presentation of this evidence before the elders at the city gate. The subsequent verses (Deuteronomy 22:18-21) outline the consequences: if the accusation is proven false, the husband is fined and forbidden to divorce her; if proven true, the woman is stoned to death. Thus, Deuteronomy 22:17 is the pivotal moment of legal defense within this specific judicial process.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern societies, including Israel, a woman's virginity prior to marriage was paramount, deeply intertwined with family honor, social status, and the legitimacy of offspring. Marriage was often a communal affair, and the consummation of the marriage was expected to provide visible proof of the bride's purity, typically through bloodstains on the bridal sheet. An accusation of non-virginity was not merely a personal slight but a public scandal that could bring immense shame upon the woman and her entire family, potentially leading to severe penalties, including death by stoning, as prescribed in [Deuteronomy 22:21](/deuteronomy/22-21 "Deuteronomy 22:21 - Penalty for False Virginity"). The city gate served as the primary legal and administrative center where elders, acting as judges, heard cases and administered justice. The public display of the "tokens of virginity" was a culturally understood and legally recognized method of proof, intended to provide clear, irrefutable evidence in a society that valued tangible signs and communal oversight in legal proceedings.
* **Key Themes:** This verse, within the broader context of [Deuteronomy 22](/deuteronomy/22 "Deuteronomy 22 - Laws on Social and Sexual Conduct"), powerfully illustrates several core themes of the Deuteronomic law. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **justice and due process**, demonstrating God's concern that accusations be thoroughly investigated and that the accused be given an opportunity for defense, preventing arbitrary condemnation. Secondly, it underscores the **protection of the vulnerable**, as the law provides a specific mechanism to safeguard a woman's life and reputation against malicious or unfounded charges, particularly in a patriarchal society where women might otherwise lack legal recourse. Thirdly, the emphasis on "tokens of virginity" reinforces the **societal value of purity and marital fidelity** within the covenant community, reflecting the high standards God set for sexual conduct. Finally, the public presentation of the "cloth" before the elders emphasizes the **importance of evidence and verifiable facts** in legal judgments, a principle echoed in other legal statutes such as the [requirement for multiple witnesses](/deuteronomy/19-15 "Deuteronomy 19:15 - Requirement for Multiple Witnesses") to establish a charge.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Occasions of Speech (Hebrew, _ʿălîlōt dĕbārîm'_):** This phrase, often translated as "pretexts of words" or "false charges," refers to the husband's fabricated grounds or malicious accusations against his wife. The Hebrew word `ʿălîlōt` (עֲלִילֹת) denotes "deeds" or "doings," often with a negative connotation implying evil or wrongful actions. Coupled with `dĕbārîm` (דְּבָרִים), "words" or "matters," it signifies a baseless or deceitful verbal assault, highlighting the husband's intent to slander and harm his wife's reputation.
* **Tokens (Hebrew, _ʾōtōt'_):** The Hebrew word `ʾōtōt` (אֹתֹת) is the plural of `ʾōt` (אוֹת), meaning "sign," "mark," or "pledge." In this context, it refers to the physical, verifiable evidence of the daughter's virginity, specifically the bloodstains on the bridal sheet from the consummation of the marriage. This term emphasizes the concrete, undeniable nature of the proof presented, serving as a tangible "sign" of her purity.
* **Spread (Hebrew, _pāras'_):** The verb `pāras` (פָּרַשׂ) means "to spread out," "to stretch out," or "to unfurl." The act of "spreading the cloth" before the elders signifies a public, open, and undeniable presentation of the evidence. It implies a formal and deliberate action intended for communal scrutiny and judgment, leaving no room for doubt regarding the authenticity of the tokens.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And, lo, he hath given occasions of speech [against her], saying, I found not thy daughter a maid;":** This clause describes the husband's malicious accusation. The phrase "occasions of speech" (or "pretexts of words") highlights the deceitful nature of his claim. He asserts that his new wife was not a virgin ("I found not thy daughter a maid"), a grave charge that, if proven true, would result in severe punishment for the woman. This part of the verse sets up the conflict and the dire circumstances facing the accused woman.
* **"and yet these [are the tokens of] my daughter's virginity.":** This is the father's direct rebuttal to the husband's accusation. He emphatically declares that he possesses the physical proof ("tokens") of his daughter's virginity. This statement is a powerful assertion of her innocence and a direct challenge to the husband's false claim, shifting the burden of proof and initiating the formal defense.
* **"And they shall spread the cloth before the elders of the city.":** This final clause specifies the legal action to be taken. "They" refers to the father and mother, who are responsible for presenting the evidence. The "cloth" is the bridal sheet bearing the bloodstains, the undeniable "tokens." This public display before "the elders of the city" (the judicial authorities at the city gate) signifies the formal presentation of evidence in a public court, ensuring transparency and communal accountability in the judgment.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 22:17 employs several significant literary devices. The entire passage functions as a **Legal Case Study**, presenting a specific scenario, the evidence required, and the judicial process, thereby illustrating the practical application of covenant law. **Symbolism** is central, with the "cloth" serving as a potent symbol of the woman's purity and the family's honor. The bloodstains on the cloth are not merely physical evidence but a powerful visual **Metonymy** for virginity itself. The dramatic tension built by the husband's accusation and the father's immediate, defiant presentation of evidence creates a sense of **Antithesis** between false accusation and undeniable truth. Furthermore, the explicit instruction to "spread the cloth before the elders of the city" emphasizes the **Public Nature** of justice in ancient Israel, where legal proceedings were often communal and transparent, ensuring accountability and deterring false witness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 22:17, while dealing with a specific ancient legal custom, resonates with enduring theological principles concerning justice, truth, and the protection of the innocent. God, as the ultimate righteous Judge, establishes laws that provide for due process and guard against malicious falsehoods. This passage reflects divine concern for the vulnerable in society, ensuring that even those facing grave accusations have a means of defense and that their reputation and life are not unjustly taken. It underscores the sanctity of truth in all matters, particularly in legal and relational contexts, emphasizing that God detests slander and false witness. The meticulous nature of the law, requiring tangible evidence and public scrutiny, reflects God's character as one who demands integrity and abhors deception, providing a framework for a just and orderly community.

* [Exodus 23:1](/exodus/23-1 "Exodus 23:1 - Prohibition Against False Reports")
* [Proverbs 18:5](/proverbs/18-5 "Proverbs 18:5 - Injustice in Judgment")
* [Matthew 18:16](/matthew/18-16 "Matthew 18:16 - Requirement for Two or Three Witnesses")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific custom of displaying "tokens of virginity" is not practiced in contemporary society, the underlying principles embedded in Deuteronomy 22:17 remain profoundly relevant for believers today. This passage calls us to a deep commitment to truth and integrity in all our interactions, reminding us of the devastating impact of false accusations and the importance of upholding a person's reputation. It challenges us to exercise fairness and discernment in judgment, never to condemn based on hearsay or prejudice, but to seek verifiable facts and ensure due process, just as God's law provided for the innocent. We are called to be advocates for the vulnerable, to protect those who are slandered or falsely accused, and to speak truth in love, recognizing that God is a God of justice who cares deeply about how we treat one another. This ancient law serves as a powerful reminder that God's character demands righteousness and transparency in all community dealings, urging us to cultivate a society where truth prevails and the innocent are defended.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this passage challenge my own tendencies to believe or spread unverified accusations about others?**
* **In what ways can I, as a believer, actively advocate for truth and justice for the vulnerable in my community today?**
* **What principles of fair judgment and due process from this law can be applied to conflicts or disagreements in my personal relationships or within my church?**

### FAQ
**What was the primary purpose of "spreading the cloth" before the elders?**

Answer: The primary purpose of "spreading the cloth" was to publicly present undeniable physical evidence of the bride's virginity to the city elders, who served as judges. This act was a formal and legally recognized defense against the husband's grave accusation of non-virginity. In a society where family honor and a woman's purity were paramount, this public display served to vindicate the daughter, restore her and her family's honor, and prevent a potentially fatal punishment (as outlined in [Deuteronomy 22:21](/deuteronomy/22-21 "Deuteronomy 22:21 - Penalty for False Virginity")). It ensured transparency in the legal process and provided a clear, tangible basis for the elders' judgment, upholding the principle of justice and protecting the accused from malicious slander.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 22:17, with its emphasis on justice, truth, and the vindication of the innocent against false accusation, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment. Jesus Christ is the ultimate embodiment of divine justice, who came not to abolish the law but to fulfill it ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")). He Himself was the innocent one, falsely accused and slandered, yet He submitted to an unjust trial to secure our redemption ([Isaiah 53:7](/isaiah/53-7 "Isaiah 53:7 - Christ's Silent Suffering")). Just as the father presented evidence to vindicate his daughter, God the Father presented Christ, the spotless Lamb, as the ultimate "token" of righteousness and purity, whose shed blood on the cross is the undeniable proof of our justification ([Romans 3:25](/romans/3-25 "Romans 3:25 - Christ Our Propitiation")). Through Christ, the vulnerable—those condemned by sin and false accusations of the accuser ([Revelation 12:10](/revelation/12-10 "Revelation 12:10 - The Accuser Cast Down"))—are not only defended but fully acquitted. His perfect life and atoning death serve as the ultimate "spread cloth," publicly declaring God's righteousness and our complete vindication in Him, ushering in a new covenant where true purity is found not in physical tokens but in spiritual transformation by the Spirit ([Titus 3:5](/titus/3-5 "Titus 3:5 - Washing of Regeneration")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.