Deuteronomy 22

Chapter Introduction

The laws begin to set boundaries and guidelines for personal conduct.

Deuteronomy 22:1-3

This obligation is far more important than we might see on the surface. In our culture of wealth and affluence, insurance, social programs, and benevolence programs, there is always a bailout nearby. The animals were their livelihood. Some were their farming tool to pull implements or wagons. These folks didn’t have closets full of clothes and shoes. If a man took his outer garment off and left it somewhere, it was his priority to find it.

Exodus 23:4 gives us this same stipulation for the stranger. A person had a responsibility to take care of that property and do everything in their power to return it to them in the same condition as it was found.

Deuteronomy 22:4

Also seen in Ex 23:5, a man can’t look the other way when a brother needs help. If your brother’s animals fall under the load, they were to help them up.

Deuteronomy 22:5

Clothing was a status marker, but it also served as an indicator of gender. There were very distinct lines for male and female responsibilities in the culture. These lines were not to be confused.

Deuteronomy 22:6-7

This is humane treatment of the bird. It also allows the mature mother to lay eggs in the future. This would be in the same category as not cutting down the fruit trees (20:19).

Deuteronomy 22:8

Roofs were living space. A parapet would be appropriate to keep someone from accidentally falling off. This would be guilt of bloodshed to the home and family.

Deuteronomy 22:9-11

The mixture of seeds created a yield of the seed and fruit that was defiled. This may be strictly religious. The mixture may be a Canaanite fertility ritual.

Plowing with mixed animals of differing strength, speed, height, and ability could harm and exhaust one of them.

Some mixtures were reserved for sacred use. Linen and wool were used for the high priests garments. That mixture wasn’t to be repeated anywhere else.

Deuteronomy 22:12

Adult males were commanded to sew blue chords into the four quarters of the hem of their robes. This served to remind them of God’s commandments (Num 15:37-41). The decorative hem or design were symbolic of status or office. Tassels were symbolic of promoting the right action.

There is some indication that the letters of the word for “tassels” represent their past, the spying of the Promised Land, and disobedience to enter.

Deuteronomy 22:13-19

Suspicion arising after marriage may come after the consummation. The husband may have felt there was insufficient evidence of her virginity (blood). The word “virginity” means very specifically that the woman had never been sexually active. In other places, different Hebrew words are translated to “virgin,” which means a young woman of the marrying age, which one would presume had never been sexually active.

Virginity was important to a husband at marriage to ensure that the offspring were his children and would carry his bloodline. Suspicion tainted this important aspect of family heritage. The evidence the father brought may be the bedsheet of the marriage night, presumably provided by his daughter for her defense. Or, it may be menstrual rags from just before the wedding, showing she was not pregnant, with the presumption she had never been.

If the elders of the city found in favor of the woman and father, they would fine the husband one hundred shekels. This was twice the bride price and equal to about ten years of wages. This was a pretty significant fine that would make a man think twice before shaming a woman.

To marry her and reject her was shameful to her. She would essentially be ruined. It would be difficult for her to find a husband. The fine was intended to be her provision for a time.

Deuteronomy 22:20-21

If the elders of the city found that there was insufficient evidence of her virginity, then she would be taken by the men of her city and they would stone her to death. What she had done was considered disgraceful and the punishment is likened to putting away the evil from among them.

The man with whom she slept with is not mentioned in this case. He very well could be one of those called on to pick up stones and execute the women. His act may have led to her death.

Deuteronomy 22:22

If a couple was found in the act, and she was married to another, they were both to be executed. This was also considered something required to put away the evil from among them.

Deuteronomy 22:23-24

This would not be considered rape because she did not cry out. Crying out would have brought help. The lack of a call for help implied consent. To put away evil, both would be executed.

Deuteronomy 22:25-27

If a man forces himself on a young woman in the countryside, it is presumed that she had cried for help and no one could hear her. She is not to be punished. The man must die.

Deuteronomy 22:28-29

If the woman is not betrothed, then he must pay the bride price of fifty shekels and take her as his wife. He has humiliated her. It would be nearly impossible for her to find a husband after this event. He would not be permitted to divorce her, ever.

Deuteronomy 22:30

Incest was strictly dealt with and seen as an abomination. This law also could include lying with a concubine or a father’s wife who wasn’t his mother.

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