Deuteronomy 22:24
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.
Original Language Analysis
וְהֽוֹצֵאתֶ֨ם
Then ye shall bring
H3318
וְהֽוֹצֵאתֶ֨ם
Then ye shall bring
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
1 of 31
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 31
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בָעִ֔יר
not being in the city
H5892
בָעִ֔יר
not being in the city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
6 of 31
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
הַהִ֗וא
H1931
הַהִ֗וא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
7 of 31
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
וּסְקַלְתֶּ֨ם
and ye shall stone
H5619
וּסְקַלְתֶּ֨ם
and ye shall stone
Strong's:
H5619
Word #:
8 of 31
properly, to be weighty; but used only in the sense of lapidation or its contrary (as if a delapidation)
אֹתָ֥ם
H853
אֹתָ֥ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 31
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וָמֵתוּ֒
that they die
H4191
וָמֵתוּ֒
that they die
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
11 of 31
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
12 of 31
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
14 of 31
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
דְּבַר֙
H1697
דְּבַר֙
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
15 of 31
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
אֲשֶׁר
because
H834
אֲשֶׁר
because
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
16 of 31
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
17 of 31
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
צָעֲקָ֣ה
she cried
H6817
צָעֲקָ֣ה
she cried
Strong's:
H6817
Word #:
18 of 31
to shriek; (by implication) to proclaim (an assembly)
בָעִ֔יר
not being in the city
H5892
בָעִ֔יר
not being in the city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
19 of 31
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
וְאֶ֨ת
H853
וְאֶ֨ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
20 of 31
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָאִ֔ישׁ
and the man
H376
הָאִ֔ישׁ
and the man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
21 of 31
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)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
22 of 31
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
דְּבַ֥ר
H1697
דְּבַ֥ר
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
23 of 31
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
אֲשֶׁר
because
H834
אֲשֶׁר
because
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
24 of 31
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עִנָּ֖ה
he hath humbled
H6031
עִנָּ֖ה
he hath humbled
Strong's:
H6031
Word #:
25 of 31
to depress literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive (in various applications, as follows)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
26 of 31
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Cross References
1 Corinthians 5:13But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.Deuteronomy 21:14And it shall be, if thou have no delight in her, then thou shalt let her go whither she will; but thou shalt not sell her at all for money, thou shalt not make merchandise of her, because thou hast humbled her.
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the NT principle "a little leaven leavens the whole lump" (1 Cor 5:6) reflect this OT concern for community holiness?
- What does church discipline reveal about the seriousness of sexual sin and covenant faithfulness in the new covenant community?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & 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.