Deuteronomy 22:29
Then the man that lay with her shall give unto the damsel's father fifty shekels of silver, and she shall be his wife; because he hath humbled her, he may not put her away all his days.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
This law functioned within ancient Israelite society (circa 1400-1200 BC), where a woman's marriageability determined her economic survival and social standing. Unlike surrounding nations where rape victims often faced death or permanent ostracism, Mosaic Law provided legal protection and economic provision for violated women.
The fifty-shekel payment significantly exceeded the typical bride price (mohar), which averaged thirty to forty shekels. This premium served as both punishment and deterrent. The amount was substantial enough that it would impact the offender's economic standing while providing the victim's family compensation for their daughter's trauma and diminished marriage prospects.
Compared to other ancient Near Eastern law codes like Hammurabi's Code (circa 1750 BC), which sometimes prescribed death for rape but offered no ongoing protection for victims, Deuteronomy's approach emphasized restitution and long-term care. The perpetual marriage bond, while troubling to modern sensibilities, ensured the woman would not become destitute. Understanding this law requires recognizing both God's compassion for victims within ancient cultural constraints and the complete transformation Jesus brings to male-female relationships in the New Covenant (Galatians 3:28, Ephesians 5:25-33).
Questions for Reflection
- How does this law reveal God's concern for protecting vulnerable women in ancient patriarchal society?
- What does the substantial fifty-shekel penalty teach us about the seriousness of sexual violence in God's eyes?
- How do we reconcile Old Testament civil laws designed for ancient Israel with New Testament principles for the church today?
- In what ways does this legislation establish accountability and consequences for sexual assault while providing for victims?
- How does Christ's teaching on marriage, dignity, and human worth transform and fulfill the protective intent behind this law?
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Analysis & Commentary
Then the man that lay with her shall give unto the damsel's father fifty shekels of silver, and she shall be his wife; because he hath humbled her, he may not put her away all his days. This verse addresses the case of rape in Israelite society, providing both justice and protection for the victim. The Hebrew verb shakab (שָׁכַב, "lay with") combined with taphas (תָּפַשׂ, "seize") in verse 28 indicates forcible violation, not consensual relations.
The fifty-shekel penalty represents substantial compensation—roughly fifty months' wages for a laborer. This monetary payment went to the father, recognizing that the assault damaged the family's honor and the daughter's marriageability in that culture. The requirement that the rapist marry his victim (if she had no betrothal) may seem harsh to modern readers, but in ancient Near Eastern society, this law provided crucial economic security and social protection for the woman, who might otherwise face destitution and stigma.
The perpetual marriage prohibition ("he may not put her away all his days") protected the woman from further abandonment. Unlike other marriages where divorce was permitted (Deuteronomy 24:1), this law bound the offender to lifelong responsibility. The legislation demonstrates God's concern for protecting the vulnerable, establishing accountability for sexual violence, and maintaining social order while addressing the harsh realities of ancient patriarchal culture.