Deuteronomy 22:13-30

Sins against Pure Marriages.

Deuteronomy 22:14. tokens of virginity: their absence is now known not to be necessarily a proof of pre-nuptial unchastity, though the ancient peoples held the contrary, as some peoples do still (see J. D. Michaelis, The Laws of Moses, i. p. 478ff.; Burckhardt, The Bedouins, etc., p. 62f.; Westermarck, History of Human Marriage, p. 123f.). The severe punishment for unchastity before (Deuteronomy 22:21) and after (Deuteronomy 22:22) marriage shows the uncompromising attitude of Dt. towards sexual sins a striking contrast to the prevailing customs of surrounding nations: why the difference?

Deuteronomy 22:22. See Leviticus 18:20 *, cf. CH, § 129.

Deuteronomy 22:23 f. In CH (§ 130) the man is put to death, the woman set free.

Deuteronomy 22:28 f. See Exodus 22:16 f.* (JE).

Deuteronomy 22:30. See Leviticus 18:8 *, Leviticus 20:11 (H). skirt: bedsheet; in Leviticus 18:8, nakedness. Among the ancient Hebrews a man inherited his father's wives and concubines as his other property (Genesis 35:22; Genesis 49:4, etc.), cf. W. R. Smith, Kinship 2, p. 104f.