King James Version
What Does Deuteronomy 22:16 Mean?
“And the damsel's father shall say unto the elders, I gave my daughter unto this man to wife, and he hateth her;”
Context
14
And give occasions of speech against her, and bring up an evil name upon her, and say, I took this woman, and when I came to her, I found her not a maid:
15
Then shall the father of the damsel, and her mother, take and bring forth the tokens of the damsel's virginity unto the elders of the city in the gate:
16
And the damsel's father shall say unto the elders, I gave my daughter unto this man to wife, and he hateth her;
17
And, lo, he hath given occasions of speech against her, saying, I found not thy daughter a maid; and yet these are the tokens of my daughter's virginity. And they shall spread the cloth before the elders of the city.
18
And the elders of that city shall take that man and chastise him;
Commentary
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary**22-27. Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed--**The dedication of a tenth part of the year's produce in everything was then a religious duty. It was to be brought as an offering to the sanctuary; and, where distance prevented its being taken in kind, it was by this statute convertible into money.
Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset, David Brown. Public Domain.
Historical Context
This verse is found in the book of Deuteronomy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
Theological Significance
Deuteronomy 22:16 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.