King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 22:26 Mean?

Deuteronomy 22:26 in the King James Version says “But unto the damsel thou shalt do nothing; there is in the damsel no sin worthy of death: for as when a man riseth again...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 22 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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:”

Deuteronomy 22:26 · KJV

Context

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:

27

For he found her in the field, and the betrothed damsel cried, and there was none to save her.

28

If a man find a damsel that is a virgin, which is not betrothed, and lay hold on her, and lie with her, and they be found;

Read Deuteronomy 22 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Unto the damsel thou shalt do nothing; there is in the damsel no sin worthy of death—explicit protection of the rape victim, with emphatic declaration of her innocence. The comparison as when a man riseth against his neighbour, and slayeth him classifies rape as violent assault equivalent to murder, not mere sexual sin.

This analogy is profound: just as a murder victim bears no guilt for being killed, a rape victim bears no guilt for being violated. The verb qum (קוּם, riseth against) conveys premeditated attack. God's law recognizes sexual assault as violent crime against personhood, not consensual immorality requiring shared punishment.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The comparison to murder elevated rape's legal and moral seriousness beyond other ancient Near Eastern codes. By treating rape as violent crime rather than property violation, Mosaic law affirmed women as persons bearing God's image (Genesis 1:27), not mere chattel whose value was determined by male ownership.

Reflection Questions

  1. How should the church respond to sexual assault victims in light of God's clear declaration of their innocence?
  2. What does this passage reveal about the image of God in every person and the violent evil of violating another's personhood?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
לַֽנַּעֲרָ֖1 of 19

“But unto the damsel”

H5291

a girl (from infancy to adolescence)

לֹֽא2 of 19
H3808

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

תַעֲשֶׂ֣ה3 of 19

“thou shalt do”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

הַדָּבָ֥ר4 of 19

“him even so is this matter”

H1697

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

אֵ֥ין5 of 19
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

לַֽנַּעֲרָ֖6 of 19

“But unto the damsel”

H5291

a girl (from infancy to adolescence)

חֵ֣טְא7 of 19

“no sin”

H2399

a crime or its penalty

מָ֑וֶת8 of 19

“worthy of death”

H4194

death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin

כִּ֡י9 of 19
H3588

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

כַּֽאֲשֶׁר֩10 of 19
H834

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

יָק֨וּם11 of 19

“riseth”

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

אִ֤ישׁ12 of 19

“for as when 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)

עַל13 of 19
H5921

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

רֵעֵ֙הוּ֙14 of 19

“against his neighbour”

H7453

an associate (more or less close)

וּרְצָח֣וֹ15 of 19

“and slayeth”

H7523

properly, to dash in pieces, i.e., kill (a human being), especially to murder

נֶ֔פֶשׁ16 of 19
H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

כֵּ֖ן17 of 19
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

הַדָּבָ֥ר18 of 19

“him even so is this matter”

H1697

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

הַזֶּֽה׃19 of 19
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

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 22:26 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 22:26 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 21:22

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