King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 22:24 Mean?

Deuteronomy 22:24 in the King James Version says “Then ye shall bring them both out unto the gate of that city, and ye shall stone them with stones that they die; the dam... — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Deuteronomy 22:24 · KJV


Context

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.

25

But if a man find a betrothed damsel in the field, and the man force her, and lie with her: then the man only that lay with her shall die: force: or, take strong hold of

26

But unto the damsel thou shalt do nothing; there is in the damsel no sin worthy of death: for as when a man riseth against his neighbour, and slayeth him, even so is this matter:


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Ye shall stone them with stones that they die—both parties receive capital punishment, but for different reasons. The damsel, because she cried not, being in the city—her silence implies consent since help was available. The man, because he hath humbled his neighbour's wife—the verb innah (עִנָּה, humbled/violated) shows he violated another man's covenant rights.

So thou shalt put away evil from among you (u-vi'arta ha-ra mi-qirbecha, וּבִעַרְתָּ הָרָע מִקִּרְבֶּךָ)—this formula appears throughout Deuteronomy (13:5, 17:7, 19:19), emphasizing covenant community purity. Sexual sin threatens the entire community's relationship with God, requiring decisive action to preserve holiness.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Public execution at the city gate served both judicial and pedagogical purposes. The gate was the legal center where elders adjudicated cases (Ruth 4:1-11). Stoning required community participation, preventing blood guilt from falling on individuals while demonstrating collective commitment to covenant holiness.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the NT principle "a little leaven leavens the whole lump" (1 Cor 5:6) reflect this OT concern for community holiness?
  2. What does church discipline reveal about the seriousness of sexual sin and covenant faithfulness in the new covenant community?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 31 words
וְהֽוֹצֵאתֶ֨ם1 of 31

Then ye shall bring

H3318

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

אֶת2 of 31
H853

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

שְׁנֵיהֶ֜ם3 of 31

them both

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

אֶל4 of 31
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

שַׁ֣עַר׀5 of 31

out unto the gate

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

בָעִ֔יר6 of 31

not being in the city

H5892

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

הַהִ֗וא7 of 31
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

וּסְקַלְתֶּ֨ם8 of 31

and ye shall stone

H5619

properly, to be weighty; but used only in the sense of lapidation or its contrary (as if a delapidation)

אֹתָ֥ם9 of 31
H853

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

בָּֽאֲבָנִים֮10 of 31

them with stones

H68

a stone

וָמֵתוּ֒11 of 31

that they die

H4191

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

אֶת12 of 31
H853

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

הַֽנַּעֲרָ֗13 of 31

the damsel

H5291

a girl (from infancy to adolescence)

עַל14 of 31
H5921

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

דְּבַר֙15 of 31
H1697

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

אֲשֶׁר16 of 31

because

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

לֹֽא17 of 31
H3808

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

צָעֲקָ֣ה18 of 31

she cried

H6817

to shriek; (by implication) to proclaim (an assembly)

בָעִ֔יר19 of 31

not being in the city

H5892

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

וְאֶ֨ת20 of 31
H853

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

הָאִ֔ישׁ21 of 31

and the 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)

עַל22 of 31
H5921

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

דְּבַ֥ר23 of 31
H1697

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

אֲשֶׁר24 of 31

because

H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

עִנָּ֖ה25 of 31

he hath humbled

H6031

to depress literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive (in various applications, as follows)

אֶת26 of 31
H853

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

אֵ֣שֶׁת27 of 31

wife

H802

a woman

רֵעֵ֑הוּ28 of 31

his neighbour's

H7453

an associate (more or less close)

וּבִֽעַרְתָּ֥29 of 31

so thou shalt put away

H1197

to be(-come) brutish

הָרָ֖ע30 of 31

evil

H7451

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

מִקִּרְבֶּֽךָ׃31 of 31

from among

H7130

properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)


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 22:24 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 22:24 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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