Deuteronomy 22:22

If a man be found lying with a woman married to an husband, then they shall both of them die, [both] the man that lay with the woman, and the woman: so shalt thou put away evil from Israel.

If a man {H376} be found {H4672} lying {H7901} with a woman {H802} married {H1166} to an husband {H1167}, then they shall both of them {H8147} die {H4191}, both the man {H376} that lay {H7901} with the woman {H802}, and the woman {H802}: so shalt thou put away {H1197} evil {H7451} from Israel {H3478}.

"If a man is found sleeping with a woman who has a husband, both of them must die -the man who went to bed with the woman and the woman too. In this way you will expel such wickedness from Isra'el.

If a man is found lying with another man’s wife, both the man who slept with her and the woman must die. You must purge the evil from Israel.

If a man be found lying with a woman married to a husband, then they shall both of them die, the man that lay with the woman, and the woman: so shalt thou put away the evil from Israel.

Commentary

Commentary on Deuteronomy 22:22 (KJV)

Deuteronomy 22:22 lays down a severe legal consequence for adultery within ancient Israelite society, reflecting God's profound regard for the sanctity of marriage and community purity. The verse states that if a man is found "lying with" (a common biblical euphemism for sexual intercourse) a woman who is married, both individuals are to be put to death. This strict penalty served not only as a deterrent but also as a means to "put away evil from Israel," emphasizing the collective responsibility to maintain moral and spiritual holiness.

Historical and Cultural Context

In the ancient Near East, laws concerning adultery were prevalent and often aimed at protecting the husband's property rights and ensuring legitimate lineage. However, in Israel, the law transcended mere property rights, rooted in the divine covenant and the nation's call to holiness. As a theocracy, Israel's civil laws were God's laws, and transgressions like adultery were considered sins against God and destabilizing acts against the community. The severity of the punishment underscores the foundational importance of marriage within the social and religious fabric of Israel, where it was essential for maintaining family integrity and property inheritance. This law provided clear boundaries for sexual conduct, differentiating Israel from surrounding cultures that often had more permissive sexual norms.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Sanctity of Marriage: This verse powerfully underscores God's high regard for the marital covenant. Adultery is not just a private betrayal but a violation of a sacred bond and a public offense against God's order. The Bible consistently upholds marriage as honorable and the marriage bed undefiled.
  • Consequences of Sin: The prescribed death penalty highlights the extreme seriousness with which God views sexual immorality, particularly adultery. It serves as a stark reminder of the destructive nature of sin and its potential to corrupt individuals and communities.
  • Community Purity and Justice: The phrase "so shalt thou put away evil from Israel" (Hebrew: ba'ar, meaning to consume, purge, or utterly remove) is crucial. It signifies that the punishment was not merely retributive but also purificatory. The community had a divine mandate to cleanse itself of grave moral corruption to maintain its covenant relationship with God. This theme of communal cleansing appears elsewhere in Deuteronomy, such as in Deuteronomy 13:5 regarding idolaters.
  • Divine Law and Order: The passage reflects the structured nature of God's law for Israel, designed to establish justice, protect the vulnerable, and maintain a holy society. It reinforces the seventh commandment, "Thou shalt not commit adultery" (Exodus 20:14).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "lying with" is a common biblical idiom for sexual intercourse. The emphasis on "a woman married to an husband" clearly defines the offense as adultery, distinct from other sexual sins. The strong command to "put away evil" (Hebrew: וּבִעַרְתָּ הָרָע, u'vi'arta hara') implies a thorough purging or eradication of the harmful element from the community, ensuring the nation's spiritual health and God's blessing. This wasn't just about punishing individuals but about safeguarding the entire nation from moral decay.

Practical Application

While modern societies do not typically apply the death penalty for adultery, the spiritual principles of Deuteronomy 22:22 remain profoundly relevant. This verse challenges believers today to uphold God's unchanging standard for sexual purity and the sanctity of marriage. It calls for:

  • Respect for Marital Vows: A reminder of the sacredness of the marriage covenant before God and others.
  • Personal Purity: A call to individual faithfulness and to flee from sexual immorality in thought, word, and deed (1 Corinthians 6:18).
  • The Destructive Nature of Sin: Understanding that sin, particularly sexual sin, has far-reaching and corrosive effects not just on individuals but on families, communities, and one's relationship with God. The wages of sin is still death, spiritually if not physically.
  • Church Discipline: The principle of "putting away evil" can be seen spiritually in the church's responsibility to address serious sin within its body, promoting holiness and protecting its witness.

Deuteronomy 22:22 serves as a timeless reminder of God's holy character and His desire for His people to live in purity and integrity, reflecting His righteousness in their relationships and community life.

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Cross-References

  • Leviticus 20:10 (7 votes)

    ¶ And the man that committeth adultery with [another] man's wife, [even he] that committeth adultery with his neighbour's wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.

  • John 8:4 (4 votes)

    They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.

  • John 8:5 (4 votes)

    Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?

  • Hebrews 13:4 (4 votes)

    Marriage [is] honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

  • Ezekiel 23:45 (4 votes)

    And the righteous men, they shall judge them after the manner of adulteresses, and after the manner of women that shed blood; because they [are] adulteresses, and blood [is] in their hands.

  • Ezekiel 23:47 (4 votes)

    And the company shall stone them with stones, and dispatch them with their swords; they shall slay their sons and their daughters, and burn up their houses with fire.

  • Numbers 5:22 (3 votes)

    And this water that causeth the curse shall go into thy bowels, to make [thy] belly to swell, and [thy] thigh to rot: And the woman shall say, Amen, amen.