Deuteronomy 22:21

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְהוֹצִ֨יאוּ
Then they shall bring out
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#2
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#3
הַֽנַּעֲרָ֜
the damsel
a girl (from infancy to adolescence)
#4
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#5
פֶּ֣תַח
to the door
an opening (literally), i.e., door (gate) or entrance way
#6
בֵּ֣ית
house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#7
אָבִ֑יהָ
H1
in her father's
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
#8
וּסְקָלוּהָ֩
shall stone
properly, to be weighty; but used only in the sense of lapidation or its contrary (as if a delapidation)
#9
אַנְשֵׁ֨י
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)
#10
עִירָ֤הּ
of her city
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
#11
בָּֽאֲבָנִים֙
H68
her with stones
a stone
#12
וָמֵ֔תָה
that she die
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
#13
כִּֽי
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#14
עָשְׂתָ֤ה
because she hath wrought
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#15
נְבָלָה֙
folly
foolishness, i.e., (morally) wickedness; concretely, a crime; by extension, punishment
#16
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
in Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#17
לִזְנ֖וֹת
to play the whore
to commit adultery (usually of the female, and less often of simple fornication, rarely of involuntary ravishment); figuratively, to commit idolatry (
#18
בֵּ֣ית
house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#19
אָבִ֑יהָ
H1
in her father's
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
#20
וּבִֽעַרְתָּ֥
away
to be(-come) brutish
#21
הָרָ֖ע
evil
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
#22
מִקִּרְבֶּֽךָ׃
from among
properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

Related Resources

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

Study Resources