College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
Deuteronomy 22:28,29
(4) DEFILEMENT OF A MAIDEN NOT BETROTHED (Deuteronomy 22:28-29)
28 If a man find a damsel that is a virgin, that is not betrothed, and lay hold on her, and lie with her, and they be found; 29 then the man that lay with her shall give unto the damsel's father fifty shekels of silver, and she shall be his wife, because he hath humbled her; he may not put her away all his days.
THOUGHT QUESTIONS 22:28, 29
381.
Read Exodus 22:16-17 to complete the record.
382.
Who is considered responsible in this circumstance?
383.
Is the girl to be considered innocent? What of love in this marriage.
AMPLIFIED TRANSLATION 22:28, 29
28 If a man find a girl who is a virgin, who is not betrothed, and he seizes her and lies with her, and they are found,
29 Then the man who lay with her shall give to the girl's father fifty shekels of silver, and she shall be his wife, because he has violated her; he may not divorce her all his days.
COMMENT 22:28, 29
By comparing Exodus 22:16-17, it appears that the father might not accept the new son-in-lawbut he was still to accept the money. Her husband was not allowed to divorce her throughout their days.
In the case mentioned above it is not stated that the maiden was at fault in any wayonly what was to be done when the crime had been committed. She may (knowingly or unknowingly) have unduly tempted him. Or she may have been ignorant of his evil intentions. The book Scientific Illustrations states the latter case well:
Flamingoes are very shy and timid birds, and shun all attempts of man to approach them; the vicinity of animals, however, they disregard. Any one who is acquainted with this fact can take advantage of it by dressing himself up in the skin of a horse or an ox. Thus disguised, the sportsman may get close to them and shoot them down at his ease. They are taken in by appearances. Shy, beautiful, and harmless, the unfortunate bird meets destruction simply for want of wariness. Many a lovely human being with the like qualities has met her doom for want of the same trait.