Deuteronomy 22:13-21

Charges against a Bride. He who, from a base motive, falsely accuses his wife of unchastity before marriage shall after solemn rebuke from the elders be fined 100 silver-pieces and have his right of divorce withdrawn (Deuteronomy 22:13-19); but if such a charge be true she shall be stoned to death (Deuteronomy 22:20 f.). No direct address to Israel except in the closing formula which is Sg.

The physical evidence, on which the woman is acquitted, was regarded as essential by many ancient races and is still called for and displayed (not only in judicial cases but after all marriages) by certain tribes in Syria, Egypt and Morocco (see further Driver's note; Westermarck, Hist. of Human Marriage, 123 f.); but its absence is by no means conclusive proof of a woman's previous unchastity, nor is it certain that the original form of this law so regarded it (see on Deuteronomy 22:20). Musil (Ethn. Ber.208 ff.) gives differing instances of the treatment of this case among the fellahin and Arabs. With the former the man at once puts his bride away; if her relatives repay him the bride-price he must be silent; if he speaks and the bride has really been guilty, they kill her; if she is innocent he is killed. A jury of matrons decides but the production required above Deuteronomy 22:17 is not demanded. With the Sharari the man returns the bride to her family. With the Terâbîn, if the man accuses his bride he has to flee before her relatives, and put himself under the protection of a strong man, who opens up communication with them. The bride's representative applies for a -Minshâd" decision -that thereby he may make white my honour which he has blackened," which is given only by the representatives of certain clans, to whom each party pays 1000 piasters. If the judge finds the charge false the man pays the father of the bride 100 lira, but if he accepts not the decision he is dishonoured and no one may protect him. If the bride is guilty, her punishment depends on her relatives, and compensation is made to the man, who can however still keep her. The innocent party receive back their 1000 piasters.