Deuteronomy 22:17

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְהִנֵּה
lo!
#2
ה֡וּא
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
#3
שָׂם֩
And lo he hath given
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
#4
עֲלִילֹ֨ת
occasions
an exploit (of god), or a performance (of man, often in a bad sense); by implication, an opportunity
#5
דְּבָרִ֜ים
of speech
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
#6
לֵאמֹ֗ר
against her saying
to say (used with great latitude)
#7
לֹֽא
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#8
מָצָ֤אתִי
I found
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
#9
בִתִּ֑י
and yet these are the tokens of my daughter's
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
#10
בְּתוּלֵ֣י
a maid
(collectively and abstractly) virginity; by implication and concretely, the tokens of it
#11
וְאֵ֖לֶּה
these or those
#12
בְּתוּלֵ֣י
a maid
(collectively and abstractly) virginity; by implication and concretely, the tokens of it
#13
בִתִּ֑י
and yet these are the tokens of my daughter's
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
#14
וּפָֽרְשׂוּ֙
And they shall spread
to break apart, disperse, etc
#15
הַשִּׂמְלָ֔ה
the cloth
a dress, especially a mantle
#16
לִפְנֵ֖י
before
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#17
זִקְנֵ֥י
the elders
old
#18
הָעִֽיר׃
of the city
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

Analysis

Within the broader context of Deuteronomy, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of divine revelation connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine revelation, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Deuteronomy.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Deuteronomy Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

Study Resources