King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 22:17 Mean?

Deuteronomy 22:17 in the King James Version says “And, lo, he hath given occasions of speech against her, saying, I found not thy daughter a maid; and yet these are the t...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Deuteronomy 22:17 · KJV

Context

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;

19

And they shall amerce him in an hundred shekels of silver, and give them unto the father of the damsel, because he hath brought up an evil name upon a virgin of Israel: and she shall be his wife; he may not put her away all his days.

Read Deuteronomy 22 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Lo, he hath given occasions of speech against her—the father reiterates that the charges are 'alilot devarim (fabrications). These are the tokens of my daughter's virginity (ve-'eleh betulei bitti, וְאֵלֶּה בְּתוּלֵי בִתִּי)—the father presents physical evidence. They shall spread the cloth before the elders (paras ha-simlah, פָּרַשׂ הַשִּׂמְלָה)—the bloodstained cloth from the wedding night is publicly displayed as irrefutable proof.

This vivid detail underscores ancient Israel's legal realism—justice requires evidence, not mere assertions. The public display of intimate evidence, while culturally uncomfortable to modern sensibilities, served crucial functions: (1) preventing false accusations through material proof, (2) vindicating the innocent publicly as their accusation was public, (3) establishing precedent that slanderers would face exposure and punishment. The law balances privacy concerns with justice requirements, protecting the wrongly accused from life-destroying slander.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The preservation of the consummation cloth was standard practice in ancient Near Eastern marriages. Families anticipated potential disputes and maintained evidence accordingly. The elders' examination of physical evidence parallels modern forensic investigation—ancient Israel's law required material proof for serious charges. This evidential requirement protected against false testimony, which the Ninth Commandment explicitly prohibits. The public nature of proceedings ensured transparency and community awareness, deterring future false accusations through reputational consequences.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does biblical law's requirement for concrete evidence challenge contemporary tendencies toward accusation-based justice?
  2. What does the public vindication of the innocent woman teach about restoration of reputation being as important as initial protection?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
וְהִנֵּה1 of 18
H2009

lo!

ה֡וּא2 of 18
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

שָׂם֩3 of 18

“And lo he hath given”

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

עֲלִילֹ֨ת4 of 18

“occasions”

H5949

an exploit (of god), or a performance (of man, often in a bad sense); by implication, an opportunity

דְּבָרִ֜ים5 of 18

“of speech”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

לֵאמֹ֗ר6 of 18

“against her saying”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לֹֽא7 of 18
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

מָצָ֤אתִי8 of 18

“I found”

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

בִתִּ֑י9 of 18

“and yet these are the tokens of my daughter's”

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

בְּתוּלֵ֣י10 of 18

“a maid”

H1331

(collectively and abstractly) virginity; by implication and concretely, the tokens of it

וְאֵ֖לֶּה11 of 18
H428

these or those

בְּתוּלֵ֣י12 of 18

“a maid”

H1331

(collectively and abstractly) virginity; by implication and concretely, the tokens of it

בִתִּ֑י13 of 18

“and yet these are the tokens of my daughter's”

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

וּפָֽרְשׂוּ֙14 of 18

“And they shall spread”

H6566

to break apart, disperse, etc

הַשִּׂמְלָ֔ה15 of 18

“the cloth”

H8071

a dress, especially a mantle

לִפְנֵ֖י16 of 18

“before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

זִקְנֵ֥י17 of 18

“the elders”

H2205

old

הָעִֽיר׃18 of 18

“of the city”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

Study Guide

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 22:17 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Test Your Knowledge

Deuteronomy 22 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterDeuteronomy Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Deuteronomy 22 with CommentaryAll Deuteronomy ChaptersComplete Deuteronomy QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes