Deuteronomy 22:20

KJV

But if this thing be true, [and the tokens of] virginity be not found for the damsel:

KJV (with Strong's)

But if this thing {H1697} be true {H571}, and the tokens of virginity {H1331} be not found {H4672} for the damsel {H5291}:

Complete Jewish Bible

"But if the charge is substantiated that evidence for the girl's virginity could not be found;

Berean Standard Bible

If, however, this accusation is true, and no proof of the young woman’s virginity can be found,

American Standard Version

But if this thing be true, that the tokens of virginity were not found in the damsel;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 22:20 serves as a pivotal conditional statement within the Mosaic Law, outlining the grave implications for a newly married woman if the husband's accusation of pre-marital non-virginity is substantiated. This verse establishes the premise for a severe legal outcome, emphasizing the critical importance of a woman's virginity in ancient Israelite society as a cornerstone of marital integrity, family honor, and adherence to the covenant community's moral standards. It highlights the legal process where the absence of expected physical proof of virginity would validate the husband's claim, leading to the prescribed communal judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 22:20 is situated within a significant legal corpus spanning chapters 22-25, which details a variety of civil, social, and moral statutes for the Israelite community. Specifically, this verse is the fulcrum of a detailed legal case concerning marital fidelity and pre-marital chastity, initiated by a husband's accusation against his new wife (Deuteronomy 22:13-21). The preceding verses (Deuteronomy 22:13-19) describe the husband bringing his accusation to the elders of the city, the parents of the bride presenting counter-evidence, and the severe penalty for a false accusation. Deuteronomy 22:20 then presents the grim alternative: the scenario where the accusation is found to be true, leading directly to the ultimate consequence described in Deuteronomy 22:21. This structured legal narrative underscores the meticulous nature of Israelite jurisprudence regarding matters of sexual purity and marital covenant.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, and particularly within Israelite society, a woman's virginity at the time of marriage was paramount. It was not merely a cultural expectation but a deeply embedded social and religious requirement that signified her purity, the honor of her family, and the legitimacy of the marital union. Marriages were often arranged, and the bride's virginity was a crucial aspect of the family's reputation and the integrity of the lineage. The "tokens of virginity" (Hebrew: *bəṯûlîm*) typically referred to the physical evidence, such as bloodstains on the wedding night garment, which were presented as proof of the bride's virginity and the consummation of the marriage. The absence of such "tokens" implied pre-marital sexual activity, a transgression that brought immense shame upon the woman and her entire household, violating both societal norms and divine law. This cultural emphasis on virginity reflected a broader concern for sexual purity and the sanctity of the family unit as the foundation of the covenant community.
* **Key Themes:** This verse, within its broader legal context, contributes to several foundational themes in Deuteronomy. It powerfully reinforces the theme of **Chastity and Sexual Purity**, which is consistently upheld as a divine standard for God's covenant people. The severe consequences for pre-marital sexual activity, particularly for women, underscore the high value placed on sexual integrity within the marital covenant. Furthermore, the passage highlights the theme of **Truth and Justice** within Israelite jurisprudence; the legal process is designed to ascertain the truth of the accusation, with severe penalties for both false accusers (Deuteronomy 22:18-19) and proven offenders (Deuteronomy 22:21). This pursuit of truth was essential for maintaining order and righteousness within the community. Finally, the emphasis on family honor and the public nature of the judgment speaks to the theme of **Societal Accountability** and the collective responsibility of the community to uphold God's laws, ensuring the sanctity of marriage and the moral fabric of Israel. The detailed legal framework found in [Deuteronomy 22](/deuteronomy/22 "Deuteronomy 22 - Laws Concerning Marriage and Purity") reflects God's meticulous concern for the well-being and moral purity of His people.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **True (Hebrew, _'emet'_):** This word signifies truth, faithfulness, certainty, and reliability. In this legal context, it refers to the factual veracity of the husband's accusation. The determination of whether "this thing be true" is the critical turning point of the legal process, shifting the focus from the accusation itself to the evidence (or lack thereof) that would confirm its validity. It speaks to the divine expectation of justice being rooted in objective truth.
* **Tokens (Hebrew, _'ot'_):** This term generally means a sign, mark, or evidence. Here, it specifically refers to the physical proofs of virginity, which in ancient Israelite culture were understood to be the bloodstains on the wedding night sheet. The absence of these "tokens" was considered definitive physical evidence that the woman was not a virgin prior to marriage, thus validating the husband's claim. The word 'ot often carries theological weight, referring to signs of God's covenant or power, but here it is used in a very concrete, forensic sense.
* **Virginity (Hebrew, _bəṯûlîm'_):** This word denotes the state of being a virgin, or, as in this context, the physical signs that confirm virginity. It is a crucial concept in ancient Israel, directly tied to a woman's honor, her family's reputation, and the purity of the marital covenant. The absence of "bəṯûlîm" (the physical tokens) was a public declaration of a severe moral and legal transgression, carrying profound social and religious implications.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But if this thing be true,"**: This opening clause establishes the conditional nature of the subsequent severe judgment. It refers back to the husband's accusation (Deuteronomy 22:13) that his wife was not a virgin when he married her. The phrase "this thing" encapsulates the entire claim of pre-marital sexual activity. The legal process, involving the elders and the parents, is designed to ascertain the truth of this accusation.
* **"[and the tokens of] virginity be not found"**: This specifies the concrete evidence that would validate the husband's claim. "Tokens of virginity" refers to the physical signs (typically bloodstains on the bridal garment) expected to be present after the consummation of a marriage with a virgin bride. The phrase "be not found" indicates that the expected proof of purity is absent, thereby substantiating the accusation of pre-marital sexual relations.
* **"for the damsel:"**: This identifies the accused party, the young woman (Hebrew: *na'arah*) who has recently been married. The legal focus is squarely on her status and actions prior to the marriage, and the implications for her and her family if the accusation stands. The colon indicates that the verse is incomplete, leading directly to the prescribed punishment in the following verse.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 22:20 primarily employs **Legal Language**, characterized by its precise, conditional phrasing typical of covenant law. The verse functions as a **Conditional Statement** ("But if... then..."), setting up a clear cause-and-effect relationship that dictates the legal outcome. This structure is a hallmark of Mosaic legislation, providing clear guidelines for judgment. There is also an element of **Foreshadowing**, as the verse, while not explicitly stating the punishment, strongly implies the severe consequences that will follow if the condition is met. The starkness of the "not found" emphasizes the **Absence of Evidence** as proof of guilt, a critical point in this specific legal case. The focus on "tokens of virginity" also involves **Symbolism**, where physical signs represent a deeper moral and social reality of purity and honor.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 22:20, while detailing a specific ancient legal case, resonates with broader theological principles concerning the sanctity of marriage, sexual purity, and divine justice. God's law consistently upholds the integrity of the marital covenant as a foundational institution for human society and a reflection of His own faithfulness. The severe consequences for violating pre-marital chastity underscore God's high regard for sexual purity, viewing it not merely as a cultural norm but as an ethical imperative rooted in His holy character. This divine standard aims to protect the family unit, ensure legitimate lineage, and maintain the moral purity of the covenant community, reflecting the seriousness with which God views sexual sin and its impact on individuals and society. The emphasis on truth and evidence in this legal context also highlights God's demand for righteous judgment and the establishment of justice based on verifiable facts.
* [Leviticus 20:10](/leviticus/20-10 "Leviticus 20:10 - Punishment for Adultery")
* [Proverbs 6:32](/proverbs/6-32 "Proverbs 6:32 - Consequences of Adultery")
* [Hebrews 13:4](/hebrews/13-4 "Hebrews 13:4 - Honor Marriage and Sexual Purity")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific cultural and legal expressions of Deuteronomy 22:20 are rooted in ancient Israel, the underlying principles of sexual purity, marital fidelity, and the pursuit of truth remain profoundly relevant for believers today. This passage challenges us to consider the sanctity of marriage as a divine institution, designed by God for holiness and covenant faithfulness. It reminds us that sexual intimacy is a sacred gift to be honored within the confines of marriage, and that God’s standards for purity are not arbitrary but are for our good, protecting individuals, families, and communities from the destructive consequences of sexual sin. We are called to live with integrity, valuing truth and righteousness in all our relationships, and to understand that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, to be used for God's glory. This passage, though difficult in its ancient context, serves as a stark reminder of the seriousness with which God views sexual sin and the importance of upholding His moral standards in a world that often disregards them.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the emphasis on "tokens of virginity" in ancient Israel reflect a broader societal value, and what are the modern equivalents of such societal expectations regarding sexual purity, if any?**
* **In what ways does this passage, despite its harshness, underscore the importance of truth and justice in legal and relational contexts?**
* **How can the church today uphold God's standards for sexual purity and the sanctity of marriage in a compassionate yet uncompromising way, learning from the principles in this text without replicating its specific legal judgments?**

### FAQ
**What does "tokens of virginity" specifically refer to in this ancient context?**

Answer: In the ancient Near East, including Israelite society, "tokens of virginity" (Hebrew: *bəṯûlîm*) primarily referred to the physical evidence of a bride's virginity upon the consummation of marriage. This was commonly understood to be the bloodstains on the wedding night garment or bedsheet, resulting from the rupture of the hymen during first intercourse. This physical sign was presented as definitive proof of a woman's pre-marital chastity and was crucial for establishing the honor of the bride and her family, as well as the legitimacy of the marriage. While modern medical understanding recognizes that the hymen can be broken by non-sexual activities or may not bleed during first intercourse, this ancient cultural practice was widely accepted as a reliable indicator of virginity. The absence of such "tokens" was considered clear evidence of pre-marital sexual activity, leading to severe legal consequences as outlined in [Deuteronomy 22:21](/deuteronomy/22-21 "Deuteronomy 22:21 - Punishment for Non-Virgin Bride").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Deuteronomy 22:20 details a specific legal judgment under the Mosaic Law, its underlying principles of purity, covenant faithfulness, and the consequences of sin find their ultimate fulfillment and transformation in Christ. The law, in its severity, exposes the depth of human sin and the impossibility of achieving righteousness through perfect adherence to its demands, thus pointing to our need for a Savior. Jesus, the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), perfectly fulfilled the righteous requirements of the law, not by external tokens, but by His sinless life and atoning death. He did not come to abolish the Law but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17), demonstrating God's unwavering standard of holiness while simultaneously providing the grace that the Law could not. In Christ, the focus shifts from external legal proofs to an internal transformation of the heart, where purity is a matter of spiritual regeneration and obedience to God's Spirit (Romans 8:4). The New Covenant emphasizes that believers are the [Bride of Christ](/ephesians/5-25 "Ephesians 5:25 - Christ's Love for the Church as His Bride"), called to a spiritual purity and faithfulness that transcends mere physical virginity, reflecting devotion to Him alone (2 Corinthians 11:2). Through His sacrifice, Christ cleanses us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9), offering forgiveness and the power to live lives of sexual integrity and holiness, not out of fear of legalistic punishment, but out of love and gratitude for His redeeming grace (1 Corinthians 6:18-20).

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.