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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: Hi MJH, Thanks for the request to provide input on this matter. Hopefully I can offer something that will clarify for you. I’m not sure what “issues” you are struggling with on this text- other than translation? The NASB reads, “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, then the man who lay with her shall give to the girl’s father fifty shekels of silver, and she shall become his wife because he has violated her; he cannot divorce her all his days. “ The passage does seem to clearly describe a rape. In fact, The Bible Knowledge Commentary notes, “A man who raped an unbetrothed virgin was forced to marry her (after paying the bride-price of 50 shekels to her father) and had to forfeit the right of divorce. This protected, to a degree, the girl’s honor and assured her (and her child if she became pregnant from the rape) permanent support. This stipulation may also have served as a deterrent against rape since the man would have to live with that woman for the rest of his life.” The context is in giving the laws concerning sexual immorality to Israel. I do not believe the Church (the body of Christ) is in view here. The interpretive question I ask is this: Is this passage Descriptive or Prescriptive? Is it merely describing a possible (unfortunate) circumstance that could occur to the Israelites and how to handle it; Or is it Prescribing action to be taken for all times by all people? I believe it to be descriptive in nature. So, the passage is not (IMO) related specifically as instruction for us. As the Commentary Critical observes, “The regulations that follow might be imperatively needful in the then situation of the Israelites; and yet, it is not necessary that we should curiously and impertinently inquire into them. So far was it from being unworthy of God to leave such things upon record, that the enactments must heighten our admiration of His wisdom and goodness in the management of a people so perverse and so given to irregular passions. Nor is it a better argument that the Scriptures were not written by inspiration of God to object that this passage, and others of a like nature, tend to corrupt the imagination and will be abused by evil-disposed readers, than it is to say that the sun was not created by God, because its light may be abused by wicked men as an assistant in committing crimes which they have meditated [HORNE].” I hope this helps to answer your question. BradK |
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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 |