Deuteronomy 22:26
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:
Original Language Analysis
לַֽנַּעֲרָ֖
But unto the damsel
H5291
לַֽנַּעֲרָ֖
But unto the damsel
Strong's:
H5291
Word #:
1 of 19
a girl (from infancy to adolescence)
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
2 of 19
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תַעֲשֶׂ֣ה
thou shalt do
H6213
תַעֲשֶׂ֣ה
thou shalt do
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
3 of 19
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
הַדָּבָ֥ר
him even so is this matter
H1697
הַדָּבָ֥ר
him even so is this matter
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
4 of 19
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
לַֽנַּעֲרָ֖
But unto the damsel
H5291
לַֽנַּעֲרָ֖
But unto the damsel
Strong's:
H5291
Word #:
6 of 19
a girl (from infancy to adolescence)
מָ֑וֶת
worthy of death
H4194
מָ֑וֶת
worthy of death
Strong's:
H4194
Word #:
8 of 19
death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin
כִּ֡י
H3588
כִּ֡י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
9 of 19
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
כַּֽאֲשֶׁר֩
H834
כַּֽאֲשֶׁר֩
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
10 of 19
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יָק֨וּם
riseth
H6965
יָק֨וּם
riseth
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
11 of 19
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
אִ֤ישׁ
for as when a man
H376
אִ֤ישׁ
for as when a man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
12 of 19
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 #:
13 of 19
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וּרְצָח֣וֹ
and slayeth
H7523
וּרְצָח֣וֹ
and slayeth
Strong's:
H7523
Word #:
15 of 19
properly, to dash in pieces, i.e., kill (a human being), especially to murder
נֶ֔פֶשׁ
H5315
נֶ֔פֶשׁ
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
16 of 19
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
כֵּ֖ן
H3651
כֵּ֖ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
17 of 19
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- How should the church respond to sexual assault victims in light of God's clear declaration of their innocence?
- What does this passage reveal about the image of God in every person and the violent evil of violating another's personhood?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & 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.