Deuteronomy 22:19

And they shall amerce him in an hundred [shekels] of silver, and give [them] unto the father of the damsel, because he hath brought up an evil name upon a virgin of Israel: and she shall be his wife; he may not put her away all his days.

And they shall amerce {H6064} him in an hundred {H3967} shekels of silver {H3701}, and give {H5414} them unto the father {H1} of the damsel {H5291}, because he hath brought up {H3318} an evil {H7451} name {H8034} upon a virgin {H1330} of Israel {H3478}: and she shall be his wife {H802}; he may {H3201} not put her away {H7971} all his days {H3117}.

The leaders of that town are to take the man, punish him, and fine him two-and-a-half pounds of silver shekels, which they will give to the girl's father, because he has publicly defamed a virgin of Isra'el. She will remain his wife, and he is forbidden from divorcing her as long as he lives.

They are also to fine him a hundred shekels of silver and give them to the young woman’s father, because this man has given a virgin of Israel a bad name. And she shall remain his wife; he must not divorce her as long as he lives.

and they shall fine him a hundred shekels of silver, and give them unto the father of the damsel, because he hath brought up an evil name upon a virgin of Israel: and she shall be his wife; he may not put her away all his days.

Commentary

Context

Deuteronomy 22:19 is part of a larger section of Israelite civil law, particularly concerning marriage, sexual purity, and justice, found in chapters 22-25. This specific verse addresses a severe case of false accusation. It follows the scenario outlined in Deuteronomy 22:13-18, where a newlywed husband falsely accuses his wife of not being a virgin. If the accusation is proven false (by the presentation of evidence by the bride's parents), this verse prescribes the harsh penalty for the slandering husband, emphasizing the sacredness of a woman's honor and the seriousness of defamation in ancient Israelite society.

Key Themes

  • Justice for Slander and False Accusation: The law provides a strict penalty for unjustly maligning someone's character, especially a woman's. The "evil name" brought upon her was a grave offense, impacting her social standing, reputation, and future prospects. This demonstrates God's concern for truth and the protection of the innocent.
  • Protection of the Vulnerable: This legislation safeguards the woman's reputation and security. Without such a law, a man could easily discard a wife he no longer desired by falsely accusing her, leaving her disgraced and destitute. The severe consequences served as a strong deterrent against such malicious acts.
  • Consequences of Dishonor: The penalty of 100 shekels of silver was substantial, double the typical bride-price mentioned in Exodus 22:17 for seduction, indicating the gravity of the offense. This financial compensation was given to the father, acknowledging the damage to the family's honor and the daughter's reputation.
  • Indissoluble Marriage: The most profound consequence is the man's permanent inability to divorce her "all his days." This enforced, lifelong bond served as a deterrent against false accusations and ensured the woman's security within the marriage he tried to destroy. This specific prohibition highlights the sanctity of marriage and the severe consequences of attempting to undermine it through deceit, differing significantly from the general provisions for divorce later in Deuteronomy 24:1.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "brought up an evil name" is a strong expression in Hebrew, `dibbâ ra'ah` (דִּבָּה רָעָה), which means "a bad report," "slander," or "defamation." It implies a deliberate and harmful spreading of falsehoods designed to damage reputation and honor. This highlights that the offense was not merely a private dispute but a public act of character assassination.

Practical Application

This ancient law holds enduring relevance for contemporary life. It powerfully underscores the importance of truthfulness and the immense damage caused by slander and false accusations. It reminds us of God's unwavering concern for justice and the protection of those who are vulnerable to malicious attacks. For believers today, it serves as a powerful reminder of the destructive nature of gossip and defamation, echoing New Testament exhortations against such behavior, as seen in Ephesians 4:29, which encourages wholesome speech that builds up rather than tears down. Furthermore, it highlights the seriousness with which marriage vows should be regarded and the profound commitment they entail, particularly when attempts are made to undermine the marital bond through deceit or malicious intent.

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Cross-References

  • Matthew 19:8

    He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.

  • Matthew 19:9

    And I say unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except [it be] for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery.

  • Deuteronomy 22:29

    Then the man that lay with her shall give unto the damsel's father fifty [shekels] of silver, and she shall be his wife; because he hath humbled her, he may not put her away all his days.

  • Deuteronomy 24:1

    ¶ When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give [it] in her hand, and send her out of his house.

  • Deuteronomy 24:4

    Her former husband, which sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after that she is defiled; for that [is] abomination before the LORD: and thou shalt not cause the land to sin, which the LORD thy God giveth thee [for] an inheritance.
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