Deuteronomy 22:25

KJV

But if a man find a betrothed damsel in the field, and the man force her, and lie with her: then the man only that lay with her shall die:

KJV (with Strong's)

But if a man {H376} find {H4672} a betrothed {H781} damsel {H5291} in the field {H7704}, and the man {H376} force {H2388} her, and lie {H7901} with her: then the man {H376} only that lay {H7901} with her shall die {H4191}:

Complete Jewish Bible

"But if the man comes upon the engaged girl out in the countryside, and the man grabs her and has sexual relations with her, then only the man who had intercourse with her is to die.

Berean Standard Bible

But if the man encounters a betrothed woman in the open country, and he overpowers her and lies with her, only the man who has done this must die.

American Standard Version

But if the man find the damsel that is betrothed in the field, and the man force her, and lie with her; then the man only that lay with her shall die:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 22:25 presents a critical statute within ancient Israelite law, addressing the severe crime of sexual assault against a betrothed woman in an isolated setting. This law unequivocally mandates capital punishment solely for the male perpetrator, presuming the woman's innocence due to her inability to cry out for help in the "field." It powerfully demonstrates God's profound concern for justice, the protection of the vulnerable, and the absolute condemnation of sexual violence, treating the violation of a betrothed woman with the same gravity as adultery and establishing a clear legal precedent for consent and accountability.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 22:25 is strategically placed within a larger legal corpus (Deuteronomy 12-26) that delineates the statutes governing Israel's social, civil, and religious life as a covenant nation. More precisely, it is found within a cluster of laws concerning sexual purity, marriage, and familial integrity (Deuteronomy 22:13-30). This verse stands in direct contrast to the preceding law in [Deuteronomy 22:23-24](/deuteronomy/22-23-24 "Deuteronomy 22:23-24 - Law for Rape in the City"), which addresses a similar scenario but "in the city." The deliberate distinction between the "field" and the "city" is paramount, as it serves as the crucial legal determinant for the woman's culpability, presuming her lack of consent based on her inability to summon aid. This meticulous legal nuance underscores the Mosaic Law's detailed approach to justice, evidence, and the protection of victims.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israelite society, betrothal was a legally binding covenant, often lasting for a period of up to a year, and carried the full legal weight of marriage, even prior to its consummation. A betrothed woman was legally considered the wife of her future husband, meaning any sexual violation against her by another man was treated with the utmost severity, akin to adultery—a capital offense. The specific detail "in the field" is not merely a descriptive element but a critical legal qualifier. It signifies an isolated, unpopulated location where a woman's cries for help would go unheard, thereby providing irrefutable proof of her non-consent and her inability to resist or call for assistance. This provision was vital in a culture where a woman's honor and purity were inextricably linked to her family's reputation, ensuring the victim's exoneration from any suspicion of complicity.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several foundational themes woven throughout Deuteronomy and the broader Old Testament. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Justice and the Protection of the Vulnerable**, showcasing God's unwavering commitment to defending those who are unable to defend themselves, particularly women in situations of extreme peril. The absolute exoneration of the victim and the severe, singular punishment of the perpetrator exemplify God's righteous judgment, a principle consistently echoed in passages such as [Psalm 82:3-4](/psalms/82-3-4 "Psalm 82:3-4 - Defend the Poor and Needy"). Secondly, it underscores the **Sanctity of Sexual Purity and Marriage**, treating sexual assault as a profound violation not only of an individual's body and dignity but also of the sacred covenant of marriage (even in its betrothal stage) and the moral integrity of the community. This aligns with the comprehensive sexual ethics found throughout the Mosaic Law, notably in [Leviticus 18](/leviticus/18 "Leviticus 18 - Prohibited Sexual Relations"). Lastly, the "in the field" clause implicitly defines the **Nature of Consent**, establishing that true consent must be freely given and cannot be assumed when a person is overpowered or unable to resist or call for help, a timeless principle foundational to human autonomy and dignity.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Betrothed (Hebrew, _ʼâras'_):** This verb signifies a formal, legally binding engagement for matrimony. In ancient Israel, betrothal was far more than a casual promise; it constituted a contractual agreement that rendered the woman legally "married" to her future husband, even before the public celebration or consummation of the marriage. This legal status meant that any sexual act with a betrothed woman by someone other than her intended husband was considered adultery, a capital offense, underscoring the sanctity and seriousness of the marital covenant from its earliest stages.
* **Force (Hebrew, _châzaq'_):** The root meaning of _châzaq_ is "to fasten upon," "to seize," "to be strong," or "to overpower." In the context of Deuteronomy 22:25, it unequivocally denotes an act of violent compulsion and physical overcoming. This term leaves no ambiguity regarding the non-consensual nature of the act, emphasizing that the perpetrator used superior strength to subdue the victim against her will. It is a crucial legal term that establishes the crime as rape, clearly distinguishing it from consensual sexual relations or seduction.
* **Die (Hebrew, _mûwth'_):** This primitive root means "to die" (literally or figuratively) and, causatively, "to kill." In this verse, it prescribes the ultimate legal consequence for the perpetrator: capital punishment. The use of this term highlights the extreme gravity with which God views sexual assault, particularly against a betrothed woman, equating it with the most heinous crimes deserving of death. It underscores the severity of the violation against the victim's person, the covenantal bond, and God's moral law.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But if a man find a betrothed damsel in the field":** This clause establishes the specific circumstances under which this law applies. The "betrothed damsel" identifies her legal status as being virtually married, thus elevating the crime against her to the level of adultery. The crucial phrase "in the field" signifies an isolated, unpopulated location. This isolation is key because it means her cries for help would be unheard, thereby legally establishing her innocence and lack of complicity in the act.
* **"and the man force her, and lie with her":** This describes the criminal act itself. "Force her" (from the Hebrew _châzaq_) explicitly indicates a violent, non-consensual act, emphasizing the perpetrator's use of power to overcome the victim. "Lie with her" refers to the sexual intercourse. Together, these phrases unequivocally define the act as rape, highlighting its violent and coercive nature and the complete absence of consent.
* **"then the man only that lay with her shall die":** This prescribes the severe legal consequence. Capital punishment is mandated for the perpetrator alone. The woman is fully exonerated, her innocence confirmed by the circumstances ("in the field") which preclude any possibility of her consent or failure to cry out. This demonstrates God's absolute condemnation of sexual violence and His unwavering protection of the victim, ensuring that justice is served against the aggressor and that the victim bears no blame.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 22:25 employs **Casuistic Law**, a prevalent legal form in the Old Testament that presents specific hypothetical cases ("If X happens, then Y is the consequence") to establish clear legal precedents. This structure allows for direct application of justice and removes ambiguity. The passage's direct contrast with the "in the city" scenario in [Deuteronomy 22:23-24](/deuteronomy/22-23-24 "Deuteronomy 22:23-24 - Law for Rape in the City") serves as a powerful instance of **Juxtaposition**, highlighting the critical role of circumstantial evidence (the location and the ability to cry out) in determining guilt and innocence. The phrase "in the field" functions as a potent **Symbol** or **Metonymy** for isolation, vulnerability, and the absence of witnesses, which unequivocally proves the non-consensual nature of the act and the victim's blamelessness. Furthermore, the severity of the prescribed punishment acts as a strong **Deterrent**, underscoring the profound gravity with which God views sexual violence and the violation of human dignity and covenantal purity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 22:25 profoundly reveals God's character as a righteous judge who champions the cause of the vulnerable and condemns sexual violence with utmost severity. It establishes a divine precedent for justice that prioritizes the victim's experience and punishes the aggressor unequivocally. This law underscores the sanctity of human dignity and the seriousness with which God views any violation of it, especially within the context of sexual purity and the covenantal institution of marriage. It reflects a standard of justice far ahead of its time, emphasizing consent and protecting the innocent, demonstrating God's meticulous care for the moral fabric of His people and His unwavering commitment to righteousness and the welfare of the oppressed.
* [Exodus 22:16-17](/exodus/22-16-17 "Exodus 22:16-17 - Seduction of an Unbetrothed Virgin")
* [Leviticus 18:6-23](/leviticus/18-6-23 "Leviticus 18:6-23 - Prohibited Sexual Relations")
* [Proverbs 6:27-29](/proverbs/6-27-29 "Proverbs 6:27-29 - Consequences of Adultery")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the specific legal framework of Deuteronomy 22:25 is rooted in ancient Israelite society, its underlying principles resonate deeply with contemporary understanding of justice, consent, and the sanctity of human dignity. This passage unequivocally condemns sexual violence, demonstrating God's fierce protection of victims and His righteous wrath against perpetrators. It challenges us to cultivate societies where the vulnerable are safeguarded, where consent is paramount and clearly understood as freely given, and where justice is swift and unwavering for those who violate others. For believers, it calls us to embody God's heart for justice, to advocate for the oppressed, and to uphold the highest standards of sexual purity and respect for others' bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit. It reminds us that sexual sin is not merely a personal transgression but a profound violation against another person and against God's holy design, demanding both accountability and compassion, and inspiring us to create environments where such evil cannot thrive.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this ancient law challenge modern societal views on consent and victim blaming, particularly in cases of sexual assault?**
* **In what ways can we, as individuals and communities, better reflect God's heart for justice and protection of the vulnerable from sexual violence today?**
* **What does the severity of the punishment in this verse teach us about God's view of sexual purity and the sanctity of human relationships?**

### FAQ
**Why is the location ("in the field" vs. "in the city") so important in this law?**

Answer: The distinction between "in the field" and "in the city" is absolutely crucial in this law because it serves as the legal mechanism to determine the woman's culpability and unequivocally establish the lack of consent. If the assault occurred "in the city" (as in [Deuteronomy 22:23-24](/deuteronomy/22-23-24 "Deuteronomy 22:23-24 - Law for Rape in the City")), the expectation was that the woman could cry out for help, and if she didn't, her silence was interpreted as implied consent, leading to both parties being punished for adultery. However, "in the field" implies an isolated location where her cries would go unheard, thereby proving that she was overpowered and unable to resist or call for aid. This legal nuance ensured her complete exoneration and placed the full blame and capital punishment solely on the perpetrator, highlighting God's meticulous concern for justice and the protection of victims from false accusation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Deuteronomy 22:25 provides a legal framework for justice in ancient Israel, its deeper theological currents find their ultimate fulfillment in Christ. The law's uncompromising demand for justice against sexual violence, and its profound concern for the vulnerable, points to the righteous character of God, who is perfectly revealed in Jesus. Christ, as the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), bore the full weight of humanity's sin, including every act of violence and injustice, on the cross, demonstrating God's ultimate judgment against sin and His provision for redemption. Furthermore, Jesus consistently championed the marginalized and vulnerable, extending grace and dignity to those society had cast aside, such as the woman caught in adultery in [John 8:1-11](/john/8-1-11 "John 8:1-11 - Jesus and the Woman Caught in Adultery"), not condoning sin but offering transformative mercy and a call to new life. The New Testament calls believers to a higher standard of purity, not merely avoiding outward acts but purifying the heart and mind, recognizing that even lustful thoughts are sinful ([Matthew 5:28](/matthew/5-28 "Matthew 5:28 - Lustful Thoughts")). Ultimately, the law's protection of the betrothed woman foreshadows Christ's zealous protection of His bride, the Church, whom He sanctifies and presents to Himself "without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless" ([Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25-27 "Ephesians 5:25-27 - Christ and the Church")). Through Christ, God's justice is perfectly satisfied, and His compassion for the broken is eternally extended, offering healing and restoration where the law could only condemn.

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.

Cross-References

2 Samuel 13:14

Howbeit he would not hearken unto her voice: but, being stronger than she, forced her, and lay with her.