Deuteronomy 22:13
If any man take a wife, and go in unto her, and hate her,
Original Language Analysis
Historical Context
In ancient Israel (circa 1406 BC), marriage was a covenant involving families and economic transactions. The bride-price (mohar) compensated the father for losing his daughter's labor and established the marriage's legitimacy. Virginity at marriage proved the father had maintained his household's honor and that the bride entered marriage without prior obligations. False accusations could destroy a woman's reputation, her family's honor, and her future security, making legal protection essential. This law operates within Israel's theocratic covenant community where sexual purity symbolized covenant faithfulness to Yahweh.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this law's protection of the vulnerable woman reflect God's justice and concern for the oppressed?
- What does the connection between 'hating' a spouse and slandering them reveal about the relationship between love and truthfulness in marriage?
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Analysis & Commentary
If any man take a wife, and go in unto her, and hate her—this introduces a case law addressing false accusations against a bride's virginity. The Hebrew sane' (שָׂנֵא, "hate") describes not mere emotion but covenantal rejection and breach of marriage commitment. Ba' 'el (בָּא אֵל, "go in unto") is the standard euphemism for consummating marriage.
This law protects vulnerable women from malicious husbands who might fabricate charges to escape marriage obligations without paying the bride-price refund or to justify divorcing an unwanted wife. The case assumes premeditated slander motivated by sin'ah (hatred), revealing character defects that emerged after marriage. Ancient Near Eastern marriage customs involved bride-price payments and consummation verification, making virginity economically and socially critical.