Deuteronomy 22:23-24
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What's easy to miss is that a betrothed virgin was legally considered a wife, already bound to her future husband. This meant that lying with her was treated the same as adultery with a married woman, highlighting the seriousness of the marriage covenant even before the wedding ceremony.
“If there is a betrothed virgin, and a man meets her in the city and lies with her, then you shall bring them both out to the gate of that city, and you shall stone them to death with stones, the young woman because she did not cry for help though she was in the city, and the man because he violated his neighbor’s wife. So you shall purge the evil from your midst.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage comes right after laws about sexual purity, especially concerning marriage. It addresses a specific scenario: a virgin who is already engaged, but not yet married, and is found having sexual relations with another man within the city. The laws here distinguish between this situation and being forced, highlighting the legal and social implications of betrothal as a binding commitment.
Ever wonder why the Bible treats a betrothed virgin so seriously, almost like she's already married? It wasn't just a casual promise back then.
In ancient Israel, betrothal, often called 'espousal,' was a legal and binding commitment. It wasn't merely a public announcement of intent to marry, but a contract.
A Binding Covenant
The same act carries different consequences depending on where it happens. Why would the location make such a difference in God's law?
Deuteronomy 22 draws a crucial distinction between an act that occurs within the city and one that occurs in the field, particularly concerning a betrothed virgin.
A Cry for Help
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Understand the original words
aras · Hebrew Adjective/Participle
In the Old Testament context, a formal state of engagement that was considered legally binding and equivalent to marriage, despite the marriage not yet being fully consummated or the couple living together. Breaking this commitment was considered adultery.
This passage highlights the legal understanding of betrothal, showing that Joseph considered Mary 'his wife' even before they lived together, mirroring the concept in Deuteronomy that a betrothed woman was already bound.
Genesis 29:21The story of Jacob and Leah illustrates the significance of betrothal; Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and after being deceived with Leah, he still had to complete the week before fully marrying her, underscoring the solemnity of the engagement.
Romans 7:2Paul uses the analogy of a married woman being bound to her husband as long as he lives to explain how believers are freed from the law through Christ's death, showing how deeply the law viewed marital and betrothal bonds.
1 Corinthians 6:18This verse calls believers to flee sexual immorality, emphasizing that sexual union makes two people 'one body,' a principle that underscores why violating the betrothal bond was so serious in Deuteronomy.
pooleDeuteronomy 22:23: "If a damsel that is a virgin be betrothed unto an husband, and a man find her in the city, and lie with her;"
By this betrothing she had actually engaged herself to another man, and was in some sort his with, and therefore is sometimes so called, as Genesis 29:21 Matthew 1:20 .
ellicottDeuteronomy 22:23: "If a damsel that is a virgin be betrothed unto an husband, and a man find her in the city, and lie with her;"
Deuteronomy 22:23-27 . PURITY OF THE BETROTHED. (24) His neighbour’s wife.—It is evident from the language of this precept that a betrothed virgin in Israel is regarded as a wife. The man who humbles her “hath humbled his neighbour’s wife.” This illustrates the language of Matthew 1 Joseph, when Mary was found with child, sought to put her away (as though she were al…
What's easy to miss is that a betrothed virgin was legally considered a wife, already bound to her future husband. This meant that lying with her was treated the same as adultery with a married woman, highlighting the seriousness of the marriage covenant even before the wedding ceremony.
This passage comes right after laws about sexual purity, especially concerning marriage. It addresses a specific scenario: a virgin who is already engaged, but not yet married, and is found having sexual relations with another man within the city. The laws here distinguish between this situation and being forced, highlighting the legal and social implications of betrothal as a binding commitment.
This passage comes right after laws about sexual purity, especially concerning marriage. It addresses a specific scenario: a virgin who is already engaged, but not yet married, and is found having sexual relations with another man within the city. The laws here distinguish between this situation and being forced, highlighting the legal and social implications of betrothal as a binding commitment.
"“If there is a betrothed virgin, and a man meets her in the city and lies with her, then you shall bring them both out to the gate of that city, and you shall stone them to death with stones, the young woman because she did not cry for hel…" — What's easy to miss is that a betrothed virgin was legally considered a wife, already bound to her future husband. This meant that lying with her was treated the same as adultery with a married woman…
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Last reviewed October 2026
