King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 22:19 Mean?

Deuteronomy 22:19 in the King James Version says “And they shall amerce him in an hundred shekels of silver, and give them unto the father of the damsel, because he hath ...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Deuteronomy 22:19 · KJV

Context

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.

20

But if this thing be true, and the tokens of virginity be not found for the damsel:

21

Then they shall bring out the damsel to the door of her father's house, and the men of her city shall stone her with stones that she die: because she hath wrought folly in Israel, to play the whore in her father's house: so shalt thou put evil away from among you.

Read Deuteronomy 22 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
They shall amerce him in an hundred shekels of silver—'anash (עָנַשׁ, "amerce") means to fine or levy a monetary penalty. One hundred shekels represented a substantial sum, roughly 2.5 pounds of silver, approximately 2-3 years' wages for a laborer. This heavy fine served as restitution and deterrent. Give them unto the father—the financial penalty goes to the wronged family, compensating for attempted injury and vindicating their honor.

Because he hath brought up an evil name upon a virgin of Israel—the offense isn't merely personal but covenantal. Slandering betulat Yisra'el (בְּתוּלַת יִשְׂרָאֵל, "a virgin of Israel") attacks Israel's covenant purity and community integrity. She shall be his wife; he may not put her away all his days—the husband permanently forfeits divorce rights, ensuring the woman's economic security despite his treachery. This protects her from future abandonment by the man who already proved willing to slander her.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The hundred-shekel fine was double the standard bride-price (fifty shekels, Deuteronomy 22:29), punishing the husband's malice while enriching the wronged family. The permanent marriage requirement seems harsh by modern standards but functioned as protection in ancient contexts where divorced women faced destitution. The husband who proved untrustworthy through false accusation lost the privilege of divorce, binding him to provide for his wife regardless of his feelings. This law prioritizes the woman's welfare over the man's convenience, countercultural in male-dominated societies.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the financial restitution combined with permanent marriage obligation demonstrate biblical justice addressing both material and relational harm?
  2. What does the husband's loss of divorce rights teach about consequences for covenant-breaking behavior?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וְעָֽנְשׁ֨וּ1 of 22

“And they shall amerce”

H6064

properly, to urge; by implication, to inflict a penalty, specifically, to fine

אֹת֜וֹ2 of 22
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מֵ֣אָה3 of 22

“him in an hundred”

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

כֶ֗סֶף4 of 22

“shekels of silver”

H3701

silver (from its pale color); by implication, money

וְנָֽתְנוּ֙5 of 22

“and give”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לַֽאֲבִ֣י6 of 22

“them unto the father”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

הַֽנַּעֲרָ֔ה7 of 22

“of the damsel”

H5291

a girl (from infancy to adolescence)

כִּ֤י8 of 22
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

הוֹצִיא֙9 of 22

“because he hath brought up”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

שֵׁ֣ם10 of 22

“name”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

רָ֔ע11 of 22

“an evil”

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

עַ֖ל12 of 22
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

בְּתוּלַ֣ת13 of 22

“upon a virgin”

H1330

a virgin (from her privacy); sometimes (by continuation) a bride; also (figuratively) a city or state

יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל14 of 22

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

וְלֽוֹ15 of 22
H0
תִהְיֶ֣ה16 of 22
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

לְאִשָּׁ֔ה17 of 22

“and she shall be his wife”

H802

a woman

לֹֽא18 of 22
H3808

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

יוּכַ֥ל19 of 22

“he may”

H3201

to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)

לְשַׁלְּחָ֖הּ20 of 22

“not put her away”

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

כָּל21 of 22
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

יָמָֽיו׃22 of 22

“all his days”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

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 22:19 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Deuteronomy 22:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 22:29Matthew 19:8-9Deuteronomy 24:1-4

Test Your Knowledge

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

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