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NASB | Deuteronomy 22:28 ¶ "If a man finds a girl who is a virgin, who is not engaged, and seizes her and lies with her and they are discovered, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Deuteronomy 22:28 ¶ "If a man finds a girl who is a virgin, who is not engaged, and seizes her and is intimate with her and they are discovered, |
Bible Question:
This passage according to some translation states that if a man (unmarried) rapes a virgin, he is forced to marry her and pay the bride price. There are HUGE issues with this translation. Rape is a violent crime against the woman. Other laws in the Torah protect the woman from rape. I understood this text, in context of both the chapter and the over all Mosaic Law, to be "forcibly taken from her father" and consensual relations between the man and virgin are in view. Within the culture, the man who take a virgin in this manner is in effect taking from the father, who, if the girl is not wed to this man, is not violated and very unlikely to be wed to any man. This leaves both the father (and later the brothers) responsible for her. It also removes her from being able to bare children who would one day honor her in her old age. It is, to me, obvious that a violent act of rape would not be punished by forcing the victim to marry the criminal. If Jesus is the embodiment of the Law in flesh, then can we see Jesus in this light? NO. We see Jesus as the most woman appreciating and caring person in the scriptures. That, I understand, is because the Law was the same, if applied and understood by adequate and righteous judges (Elders). Please...PLEASE...someone offer something on this passage, as it is quite disturbing as translated in certain English Bibles. MJH |
Bible Answer: Yes there are a few verses that cause ire today and cause us to question the word. I have been taught when these conflicts arises to write it in a private journal with references and take it to prayer asking for the Holy Spirit to provide an answer. When the answer comes (and it will in the strangest way!)write it next to your question. In future times you can look back and see how the Holy Spirit has touched you. That said let me give you the reading from the LXX starting at verse 28: And if any one should find a young virgin who has not been betrothed, and should force her and lie with her, and be found, 29 the man who lay with her shall give to the father of the damsel fifty silver didrachms, and she shall be his wife, because he has humbled her; he shall never be able to put her away. This reads a little different and is from the Septuagint version from 270BC. Let me give this from a different perspective, I am presently in Arabia and here women are the property of men. The men conduct a business meeting for the transfer of the property and money exchanged for the bride to be. This can be carried out years in advance. This is how life was back then and this is written to them on how to resolve these issues. The point is that this instance is repulsive to us because we have matured beyond camel swapping and Jesus taught us that women are highly valued human beings (the woman at the well and the prostitute to be stoned.--where are men to be forgiven/condemned at this time?) but at this time the culture and life would be very alien to us. Remember when you uncover something like this which seems like a contradiction, rejoice for there is a hidden meaning behind it. |
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Questions and/or Subjects for Deut 22:28 | Author | ||
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pollerana9 | ||
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MJH | ||
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tomay777 | ||
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BradK | ||
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MJH | ||
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MJH | ||
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BradK |