King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 22:22 Mean?

Deuteronomy 22:22 in the King James Version says “If a man be found lying with a woman married to an husband, then they shall both of them die, both the man that lay with...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“If a man be found lying with a woman married to an husband, then they shall both of them die, both the man that lay with the woman, and the woman: so shalt thou put away evil from Israel.”

Deuteronomy 22:22 · KJV

Context

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.

22

If a man be found lying with a woman married to an husband, then they shall both of them die, both the man that lay with the woman, and the woman: so shalt thou put away evil from Israel.

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;

24

Then ye shall bring them both out unto the gate of that city, and ye shall stone them with stones that they die; the damsel, because she cried not, being in the city; and the man, because he hath humbled his neighbour's wife: so thou shalt put away evil from among you.

Read Deuteronomy 22 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
If a man be found lying with a woman married to an husband—shakav 'im-'isshah be'ulat ba'al (שָׁכַב עִם־אִשָּׁה בְּעֻלַת בַּעַל), literally "lying with a woman owned by a master/husband." Then they shall both of them die—both adulterers receive capital punishment equally, unlike many ancient Near Eastern codes that punished women more severely than men. The Hebrew gam-sheneihem (גַּם־שְׁנֵיהֶם, "both of them") emphasizes equal guilt and equal penalty.

Adultery violated the Seventh Commandment and attacked marriage as the covenant relationship imaging God's relationship with Israel. So shalt thou put away evil from Israel—this formula appears throughout Deuteronomy for capital offenses (13:5; 17:7; 19:19; 21:21; 22:21-24; 24:7), emphasizing corporate holiness. Tolerating covenant-breaking endangers the entire community; removing persistent violators maintains Israel's identity as Yahweh's holy people. New Testament mercy through Christ's atonement doesn't diminish marriage's sanctity (Hebrews 13:4) but provides redemption from deserved judgment.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Adultery carried the death penalty throughout Israel's history, though enforcement varied with spiritual fidelity (Leviticus 20:10). Jesus's interpretation in Matthew 5:27-28 radicalizes the command, showing that lustful intent violates the spirit of the law even without physical adultery. His mercy toward the adulterous woman (John 8:1-11) while maintaining "go and sin no more" demonstrates grace and truth (John 1:14). Paul's teaching that Christians shouldn't be "unequally yoked" (2 Corinthians 6:14) and that sexual immorality excludes from the kingdom (1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Galatians 5:19-21) continues the biblical standard of sexual purity within covenant marriage.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does equal punishment for both male and female adulterers demonstrate God's impartial justice?
  2. How does understanding adultery as covenant-breaking (not merely private immorality) deepen your view of marriage's sacred nature?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
כִּֽי1 of 19
H3588

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

יִמָּצֵ֨א2 of 19

“be 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

הָאִ֛ישׁ3 of 19

“If a man”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

הַשֹּׁכֵ֥ב4 of 19

“lying”

H7901

to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose)

עִם5 of 19
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

וְהָֽאִשָּׁ֑ה6 of 19

“and the woman”

H802

a woman

בְעֻֽלַת7 of 19

“married”

H1166

to be master; hence, to marry

בַּ֗עַל8 of 19

“to an husband”

H1167

a master; hence, a husband, or (figuratively) owner (often used with another noun in modifications of this latter sense)

וּמֵ֙תוּ֙9 of 19

“die”

H4191

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

גַּם10 of 19
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

שְׁנֵיהֶ֔ם11 of 19

“then they shall both of them”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

הָאִ֛ישׁ12 of 19

“If a man”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

הַשֹּׁכֵ֥ב13 of 19

“lying”

H7901

to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose)

עִם14 of 19
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

וְהָֽאִשָּׁ֑ה15 of 19

“and the woman”

H802

a woman

וְהָֽאִשָּׁ֑ה16 of 19

“and the woman”

H802

a woman

וּבִֽעַרְתָּ֥17 of 19

“so shalt thou put away”

H1197

to be(-come) brutish

הָרָ֖ע18 of 19

“evil”

H7451

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

מִיִּשְׂרָאֵֽל׃19 of 19

“from Israel”

H3478

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

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 22:22 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 22:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Leviticus 20:10Ezekiel 23:45-47John 8:4-5Hebrews 13:4Numbers 5:22-27Ezekiel 16:38

Test Your Knowledge

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

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