Deuteronomy 22 Study Notes
General
Why is the betrothed woman in 22:25-27, attacked out in the countryside, not punished?
Answer: She called for help, but no one could rescue her
The law distinguishes between consent and force. In the case in the town, the woman is held guilty because she made no outcry where others could have heard (22:23-24). But if a man overpowers an engaged woman out in the countryside, only he is to die (22:25). She has done nothing deserving death; the case is like a man attacking and murdering his neighbor, because she called for help and nobody was near to rescue her (22:26-27). The law refuses to punish the victim. God hates condemning the innocent (Proverbs 17:15), God, who judges the whole world, acts rightly (Genesis 18:25), and Israel's judges were to pursue true justice (16:20).
- Deuteronomy 22:25-27 (BSB)“But if the man encounters a betrothed woman in the open country, and he overpowers her and lies with her, only the man who has done this must die. Do nothing to the young woman, because she has committed no sin worthy of death. This case is just like one in which a man attacks his neighbor and murders him. When he found her in the field, the betrothed woman cried out, but there was no one to save her.”When a betrothed woman is overpowered in the open country, only the man is to die, for she cried out and no one could help her.
- Proverbs 17:15 (BSB)“Acquitting the guilty and condemning the righteous—both are detestable to the LORD.”Condemning the innocent is detestable to the LORD.
- Genesis 18:25 (BSB)“Far be it from You to do such a thing—to kill the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Will not the Judge of all the earth do what is right?””The Judge of all the earth does not treat the righteous and the wicked alike.
- Deuteronomy 16:20 (BSB)“Pursue justice, and justice alone, so that you may live, and you may possess the land that the LORD your God is giving you.”Israel's judges were to pursue justice and justice alone.
Theological
On what ground does 22:25-27 exempt the betrothed woman attacked out in the countryside from punishment?
Answer: She called for help, but no one could rescue her
The law distinguishes consent from coercion. In the town case, the absence of a cry for help where it could be heard establishes complicity (22:23-24). Out in the countryside, the man who overpowers her alone is liable to death (22:25), and she bears no guilt worthy of death, for the case is analogous to murder: she cried out, and no rescuer was present (22:26-27). The statute refuses to condemn the victim, reflecting the LORD's abhorrence of condemning the innocent (Proverbs 17:15), the justice of the One who judges the whole earth (Genesis 18:25), and the mandate to pursue justice alone (16:20).
- Deuteronomy 22:25-27 (BSB)“But if the man encounters a betrothed woman in the open country, and he overpowers her and lies with her, only the man who has done this must die. Do nothing to the young woman, because she has committed no sin worthy of death. This case is just like one in which a man attacks his neighbor and murders him. When he found her in the field, the betrothed woman cried out, but there was no one to save her.”When a betrothed woman is overpowered in the open country, only the man is to die, for she cried out and no one could help her.
- Proverbs 17:15 (BSB)“Acquitting the guilty and condemning the righteous—both are detestable to the LORD.”Condemning the innocent is detestable to the LORD.
- Genesis 18:25 (BSB)“Far be it from You to do such a thing—to kill the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Will not the Judge of all the earth do what is right?””The Judge of all the earth does not treat the righteous and the wicked alike.
- Deuteronomy 16:20 (BSB)“Pursue justice, and justice alone, so that you may live, and you may possess the land that the LORD your God is giving you.”Israel's judges were to pursue justice and justice alone.
General
What does 22:6-7 allow a person to do on finding a nest with the mother bird covering her young or her eggs?
Answer: Take the young or eggs but release the mother bird
An Israelite who came across a nest along the road could take the young birds or the eggs, but he had to release the mother bird (22:6-7). This small law calls for restraint and care toward God's creatures. Strikingly, it carries the same promise that is attached to honoring father and mother, that things would go well and life would be long (5:16). Proverbs says a righteous man cares for his animals (Proverbs 12:10), and Jesus teaches that not even a sparrow falls without the Father's will (Matthew 10:29).
- Deuteronomy 22:6-7 (BSB)“If you come across a bird’s nest with chicks or eggs, either in a tree or on the ground along the road, and the mother is sitting on the chicks or eggs, you must not take the mother along with the young. You may take the young, but be sure to let the mother go, so that it may be well with you and that you may prolong your days.”The law allows the young to be taken but requires the mother bird to be released, and attaches a promise.
- Deuteronomy 5:16 (BSB)“Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that your days may be long and that it may go well with you in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.”The same promise of long life and well-being is attached to honoring father and mother.
- Proverbs 12:10 (BSB)“A righteous man regards the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are only cruelty.”The righteous person shows care even for the life of his animals.
- Matthew 10:29 (BSB)“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father.”Jesus teaches that not even a sparrow falls apart from the Father's will.
Theological
What does 22:6-7 permit when someone finds a nest with the mother bird sitting on her young or eggs?
Answer: Take the young or eggs but release the mother bird
The law permits taking the young but requires releasing the mother (22:6-7), a restraint that forbids taking mother and young together. Remarkably, this minor statute bears the same motive clause as the command to honor parents, the promise of well-being and length of days (5:16), showing that covenant faithfulness in small matters is taken seriously. The wisdom tradition likewise marks the righteous by his regard for his animal's life (Proverbs 12:10), and Jesus grounds such care in the Father's providence over even a sparrow (Matthew 10:29).
- Deuteronomy 22:6-7 (BSB)“If you come across a bird’s nest with chicks or eggs, either in a tree or on the ground along the road, and the mother is sitting on the chicks or eggs, you must not take the mother along with the young. You may take the young, but be sure to let the mother go, so that it may be well with you and that you may prolong your days.”The law allows the young to be taken but requires the mother bird to be released, and attaches a promise.
- Deuteronomy 5:16 (BSB)“Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that your days may be long and that it may go well with you in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.”The same promise of long life and well-being is attached to honoring father and mother.
- Proverbs 12:10 (BSB)“A righteous man regards the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are only cruelty.”The righteous person shows care even for the life of his animals.
- Matthew 10:29 (BSB)“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father.”Jesus teaches that not even a sparrow falls apart from the Father's will.
General
What reason does 22:5 give for forbidding men and women to wear the clothing of the opposite sex?
Answer: The LORD regards such conduct as detestable
This verse forbids a woman to dress in a man's garments, and forbids a man to dress in a woman's garments (22:5). The only reason it gives is God's own verdict: He regards anyone who does this as detestable. That is a strong word. Deuteronomy uses the same wording for the occult practices of the nations (18:12) and for dishonest business dealings (25:16), marking conduct that God finds offensive.
- Deuteronomy 22:5 (BSB)“A woman must not wear men’s clothing, and a man must not wear women’s clothing, for whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD your God.”The law forbids men and women from wearing the clothing of the opposite sex and gives God's verdict on it.
- Deuteronomy 18:12 (BSB)“For whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD. And because of these detestable things, the LORD your God is driving out the nations before you.”Deuteronomy uses the same formula, whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD, for the occult practices of the nations.
- Deuteronomy 25:16 (BSB)“For everyone who behaves dishonestly in regard to these things is detestable to the LORD your God.”Deuteronomy also calls anyone who deals dishonestly in business detestable to the LORD.
Theological
What rationale does 22:5 attach to its prohibition on wearing the clothing of the opposite sex?
Answer: The LORD regards such conduct as detestable
The prohibition runs both ways, barring a woman from putting on male attire and a man from putting on a woman's garment (22:5), and its sole stated ground is the LORD's verdict that whoever does so is detestable to Him. Deuteronomy applies the same formula to the occult practices of the nations (18:12) and to dishonest dealing (25:16), a term marking conduct God abhors.
- Deuteronomy 22:5 (BSB)“A woman must not wear men’s clothing, and a man must not wear women’s clothing, for whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD your God.”The law forbids men and women from wearing the clothing of the opposite sex and gives God's verdict on it.
- Deuteronomy 18:12 (BSB)“For whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD. And because of these detestable things, the LORD your God is driving out the nations before you.”Deuteronomy uses the same formula, whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD, for the occult practices of the nations.
- Deuteronomy 25:16 (BSB)“For everyone who behaves dishonestly in regard to these things is detestable to the LORD your God.”Deuteronomy also calls anyone who deals dishonestly in business detestable to the LORD.
General
According to 22:13-19, what happens to a husband whose charge against his bride's virginity is proven false?
Answer: He is punished, fined a hundred shekels, and may never divorce her
The case describes a husband who turns against his new wife and publicly claims his bride had not been a virgin at the time of their marriage (22:13-14). Her parents bring evidence to the elders, the leaders who judged cases at the town gate (22:15-17). If the charge is shown to be false, the elders punish the man and fine him one hundred silver shekels, paid to her father, because he slandered an Israelite young woman. She remains his wife, and he loses the right ever to divorce her (22:18-19). The ruling protects her from his attempt to be rid of her. Bearing false witness was forbidden (Exodus 20:16), a false accuser was to suffer what he intended for another (19:18-19), and a liar will not escape punishment (Proverbs 19:5).
- Deuteronomy 22:18-19 (BSB)“Then the elders of that city shall take the man and punish him. They are also to fine him a hundred shekels of silver and give them to the young woman’s father, because this man has given a virgin of Israel a bad name. And she shall remain his wife; he must not divorce her as long as he lives.”The elders punish and fine the husband whose accusation proved false, and he loses the right to divorce her.
- Exodus 20:16 (BSB)“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.”The Decalogue forbids bearing false witness against a neighbor.
- Deuteronomy 19:18-19 (BSB)“The judges shall investigate thoroughly, and if the witness is proven to be a liar who has falsely accused his brother, you must do to him as he intended to do to his brother. So you must purge the evil from among you.”A proven false accuser was to receive what he intended for the one he accused.
- Proverbs 19:5 (BSB)“A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who utters lies will not escape.”Scripture affirms that a false witness will not escape punishment.
Theological
What sanctions does 22:13-19 impose on a husband whose accusation against his bride's virginity is disproved?
Answer: Punishment, a hundred-shekel fine, and a lifelong bar on divorce
The case concerns a husband who, having turned against his wife, charges her publicly with not having been a virgin (22:13-14). Her parents present their evidence before the town elders (22:15-17). If the charge is false, the elders punish the man, fine him one hundred silver shekels payable to her father for defaming an Israelite virgin, and forbid him ever to divorce her (22:18-19). The sanction turns his scheme against him and secures her position. The Decalogue forbids false witness (Exodus 20:16), the law returns on the false accuser what he intended (19:18-19), and the lying witness will not escape (Proverbs 19:5).
- Deuteronomy 22:18-19 (BSB)“Then the elders of that city shall take the man and punish him. They are also to fine him a hundred shekels of silver and give them to the young woman’s father, because this man has given a virgin of Israel a bad name. And she shall remain his wife; he must not divorce her as long as he lives.”The elders punish and fine the husband whose accusation proved false, and he loses the right to divorce her.
- Exodus 20:16 (BSB)“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.”The Decalogue forbids bearing false witness against a neighbor.
- Deuteronomy 19:18-19 (BSB)“The judges shall investigate thoroughly, and if the witness is proven to be a liar who has falsely accused his brother, you must do to him as he intended to do to his brother. So you must purge the evil from among you.”A proven false accuser was to receive what he intended for the one he accused.
- Proverbs 19:5 (BSB)“A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who utters lies will not escape.”Scripture affirms that a false witness will not escape punishment.
General
True or False: 22:30 forbids a man to take his father's wife as his own wife, because it would dishonor his father.
Answer: True
This is true. A man was forbidden to take his father's wife, meaning a wife of his father such as a stepmother, because that would bring shame on his father (22:30). Leviticus gives the same law for the same reason (Leviticus 18:8). Jacob's firstborn Reuben lost his place of honor because he defiled his father's bed (Genesis 49:3-4). Centuries later Paul confronted exactly this sin in the church at Corinth, calling it something even pagans would not tolerate (1 Corinthians 5:1).
- Deuteronomy 22:30 (BSB)“A man is not to marry his father’s wife, so that he will not dishonor his father’s marriage bed.”A man must not marry his father's wife, which would dishonor his father.
- Leviticus 18:8 (BSB)“You must not have sexual relations with your father’s wife; it would dishonor your father.”Leviticus forbids the same union because it dishonors the father.
- Genesis 49:3-4 (BSB)“Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, excelling in honor, excelling in power. Uncontrolled as the waters, you will no longer excel, because you went up to your father’s bed, onto my couch, and defiled it.”Jacob's rebuke of Reuben shows how grievous it was to defile a father's bed.
- 1 Corinthians 5:1 (BSB)“It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is intolerable even among pagans: A man has his father’s wife.”Paul confronts this very sin in Corinth as intolerable even among pagans.
Theological
True or False: 22:30 prohibits a man from marrying his father's wife on the ground that it would dishonor his father.
Answer: True
This is true. The law forbids taking a father's wife, on the ground that it dishonors the father's marriage bed (22:30), repeating the prohibition of Leviticus with the same rationale (Leviticus 18:8). Reuben's forfeiture of his firstborn preeminence for defiling his father's bed shows the gravity of the offense (Genesis 49:3-4), and Paul treats the same union in Corinth as immorality that even pagans would not tolerate (1 Corinthians 5:1).
- Deuteronomy 22:30 (BSB)“A man is not to marry his father’s wife, so that he will not dishonor his father’s marriage bed.”A man must not marry his father's wife, which would dishonor his father.
- Leviticus 18:8 (BSB)“You must not have sexual relations with your father’s wife; it would dishonor your father.”Leviticus forbids the same union because it dishonors the father.
- Genesis 49:3-4 (BSB)“Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, excelling in honor, excelling in power. Uncontrolled as the waters, you will no longer excel, because you went up to your father’s bed, onto my couch, and defiled it.”Jacob's rebuke of Reuben shows how grievous it was to defile a father's bed.
- 1 Corinthians 5:1 (BSB)“It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is intolerable even among pagans: A man has his father’s wife.”Paul confronts this very sin in Corinth as intolerable even among pagans.
General
Which of these combinations does 22:9-11 forbid?
Answer: Yoking an ox alongside a donkey for plowing
These verses forbid three kinds of mixing: sowing a vineyard with a second kind of seed, which would leave the whole crop defiled; plowing with two different animals, ox and donkey, under one yoke; and wearing cloth woven from both wool and linen (22:9-11). Leviticus gives similar laws (Leviticus 19:19). Deuteronomy does not state a reason for these rules. In Leviticus these laws belong to a chapter that opens with God's call for Israel to be holy, set apart for Himself, since He is holy (Leviticus 19:2).
- Deuteronomy 22:9-11 (BSB)“Do not plant your vineyard with two types of seed; if you do, the entire harvest will be defiled—both the crop you plant and the fruit of your vineyard. Do not plow with an ox and a donkey yoked together. Do not wear clothes of wool and linen woven together.”Three mixtures are forbidden: two kinds of seed in a vineyard, an ox and donkey plowing together, and wool and linen woven together.
- Leviticus 19:19 (BSB)“You are to keep My statutes. You shall not crossbreed two different kinds of livestock; you shall not sow your fields with two kinds of seed; and you shall not wear clothing made of two kinds of material.”Leviticus gives parallel laws against mixing kinds of seed, livestock, and fabric.
- Leviticus 19:2 (BSB)““Speak to the whole congregation of Israel and tell them: Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.”The chapter containing the parallel mixture laws opens with the call to be holy because the LORD is holy.
Theological
Which combination is prohibited in 22:9-11?
Answer: Yoking an ox alongside a donkey for plowing
The unit prohibits three mixtures: a second kind of seed in a vineyard, on pain of the whole produce being defiled; two different animals, ox and donkey, harnessed together to plow; and a fabric combining wool with linen (22:9-11). Leviticus legislates the same categories (Leviticus 19:19). Deuteronomy gives no stated rationale, and in Leviticus the parallel laws stand in a chapter headed by the summons to be holy because the LORD is holy (Leviticus 19:2).
- Deuteronomy 22:9-11 (BSB)“Do not plant your vineyard with two types of seed; if you do, the entire harvest will be defiled—both the crop you plant and the fruit of your vineyard. Do not plow with an ox and a donkey yoked together. Do not wear clothes of wool and linen woven together.”Three mixtures are forbidden: two kinds of seed in a vineyard, an ox and donkey plowing together, and wool and linen woven together.
- Leviticus 19:19 (BSB)“You are to keep My statutes. You shall not crossbreed two different kinds of livestock; you shall not sow your fields with two kinds of seed; and you shall not wear clothing made of two kinds of material.”Leviticus gives parallel laws against mixing kinds of seed, livestock, and fabric.
- Leviticus 19:2 (BSB)““Speak to the whole congregation of Israel and tell them: Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.”The chapter containing the parallel mixture laws opens with the call to be holy because the LORD is holy.
General
True or False: The duty in 22:1-4 to care for a neighbor's lost property covered only livestock, not clothing or other belongings.
Answer: False
This is false. After speaking of straying oxen and sheep, Moses widens the rule to a donkey, a cloak, and any other item a fellow Israelite loses and another person finds (22:3). He also commands that if a neighbor's donkey or ox has collapsed on the way, a passerby must help him get it back on its feet (22:4). Three times in these verses Moses forbids simply ignoring the need (22:1, 3, 4). Exodus had required the same help even for an enemy (Exodus 23:4-5). The New Testament carries this spirit forward, calling believers to look out for others and to be generous toward all as opportunity comes (Philippians 2:4; Galatians 6:10).
- Deuteronomy 22:3-4 (BSB)“And you shall do the same for his donkey, his cloak, or anything your brother has lost and you have found. You must not ignore it. If you see your brother’s donkey or ox fallen on the road, you must not ignore it; you must help him lift it up.”The duty of care extends to a donkey, a cloak, or anything lost, and to helping lift a fallen animal.
- Exodus 23:4-5 (BSB)“If you encounter your enemy’s stray ox or donkey, you must return it to him. If you see the donkey of one who hates you fallen under its load, do not leave it there; you must help him with it.”The earlier law also required helping with a fallen donkey, even one belonging to an enemy.
- Philippians 2:4 (BSB)“Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”Paul calls believers to care about the concerns of others and not only their own.
- Galatians 6:10 (BSB)“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.”Doing good to others, especially fellow believers, remains the Christian calling.
Theological
True or False: The restoration duty of 22:1-4 was limited to livestock and did not extend to garments or other possessions.
Answer: False
This is false. The law explicitly extends the obligation beyond oxen and sheep to a donkey, a cloak, and whatever a fellow Israelite loses and another finds (22:3), and it adds the duty to help raise a neighbor's fallen donkey or ox (22:4). The repeated prohibition of indifference makes the point that no loss is too small to warrant care. Exodus applies the same duty even toward an enemy (Exodus 23:4-5), and the apostolic ethic carries it forward in regard for what concerns others and active good toward all (Philippians 2:4; Galatians 6:10).
- Deuteronomy 22:3-4 (BSB)“And you shall do the same for his donkey, his cloak, or anything your brother has lost and you have found. You must not ignore it. If you see your brother’s donkey or ox fallen on the road, you must not ignore it; you must help him lift it up.”The duty of care extends to a donkey, a cloak, or anything lost, and to helping lift a fallen animal.
- Exodus 23:4-5 (BSB)“If you encounter your enemy’s stray ox or donkey, you must return it to him. If you see the donkey of one who hates you fallen under its load, do not leave it there; you must help him with it.”The earlier law also required helping with a fallen donkey, even one belonging to an enemy.
- Philippians 2:4 (BSB)“Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”Paul calls believers to care about the concerns of others and not only their own.
- Galatians 6:10 (BSB)“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.”Doing good to others, especially fellow believers, remains the Christian calling.
General
What repeated command follows the penalties for sexual sin in 22:21-24?
Answer: The evil must be removed from the people
In Israel's covenant law, a bride who had been promiscuous while still living at home with her father, and a man and woman caught in adultery, and a man and a betrothed woman who lay together in a town, were put to death, and each ruling ends with the command to purge, or remove, the evil from the nation (22:21-22, 24). Deuteronomy uses the same refrain for other serious crimes (17:7), and Leviticus also sets death for both partners in adultery (Leviticus 20:10). These penalties belonged to Israel as a nation under God's direct rule. In the New Testament, Paul quotes the refrain when he tells the church to remove an unrepentant man from its fellowship (1 Corinthians 5:13), applying it as church discipline rather than as a civil punishment.
- Deuteronomy 22:21-22 (BSB)“she shall be brought to the door of her father’s house, and there the men of her city will stone her to death. For she has committed an outrage in Israel by being promiscuous in her father’s house. So you must purge the evil from among you. If a man is found lying with another man’s wife, both the man who slept with her and the woman must die. You must purge the evil from Israel.”The penalties for promiscuity before marriage and for adultery end with the command to purge the evil.
- Deuteronomy 17:7 (BSB)“The hands of the witnesses shall be the first in putting him to death, and after that, the hands of all the people. So you must purge the evil from among you.”The same refrain concludes other capital cases in Deuteronomy.
- Leviticus 20:10 (BSB)“If a man commits adultery with another man’s wife—with the wife of his neighbor—both the adulterer and the adulteress must surely be put to death.”Leviticus likewise sets the death penalty for both the adulterer and the adulteress.
- 1 Corinthians 5:13 (BSB)“God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.””Paul quotes the refrain when telling the church to remove an unrepentant sinner from its fellowship.
Theological
What refrain concludes the sexual-offense penalties of 22:21-24?
Answer: The evil must be removed from the people
The capital sanctions for a bride's promiscuity while under her father's roof for adultery, and for the betrothed woman and the man in the town case each close with the purge formula (22:21-22, 24), the same refrain that concludes other capital cases in Deuteronomy (17:7). Leviticus likewise requires death for both adulterer and adulteress (Leviticus 20:10). These sanctions belonged to Israel's theocratic covenant order, whose stated aim was to remove evil from the covenant community. Paul appropriates the formula for the church's discipline of an unrepentant member (1 Corinthians 5:13), where it takes the form of exclusion from fellowship rather than civil penalty.
- Deuteronomy 22:21-22 (BSB)“she shall be brought to the door of her father’s house, and there the men of her city will stone her to death. For she has committed an outrage in Israel by being promiscuous in her father’s house. So you must purge the evil from among you. If a man is found lying with another man’s wife, both the man who slept with her and the woman must die. You must purge the evil from Israel.”The penalties for promiscuity before marriage and for adultery end with the command to purge the evil.
- Deuteronomy 17:7 (BSB)“The hands of the witnesses shall be the first in putting him to death, and after that, the hands of all the people. So you must purge the evil from among you.”The same refrain concludes other capital cases in Deuteronomy.
- Leviticus 20:10 (BSB)“If a man commits adultery with another man’s wife—with the wife of his neighbor—both the adulterer and the adulteress must surely be put to death.”Leviticus likewise sets the death penalty for both the adulterer and the adulteress.
- 1 Corinthians 5:13 (BSB)“God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.””Paul quotes the refrain when telling the church to remove an unrepentant sinner from its fellowship.
General
Why does 22:8 require a railing around the roof of a new house?
Answer: So the owner would not bear guilt for blood if someone fell
Houses in the land usually had flat roofs that people climbed up to use; Rahab, for example, had laid out stalks of flax on her roof and hid the spies there (Joshua 2:6). So a builder had to put a low wall or railing around the edge (22:8). If he did not, and someone fell and died, the death would be counted against his household as bloodguilt, meaning guilt for a person's death. The law of Exodus likewise held a man responsible when he left a pit uncovered and an animal fell in (Exodus 21:33-34). Loving your neighbor includes taking reasonable care not to put his life at risk (Romans 13:10).
- Deuteronomy 22:8 (BSB)“If you build a new house, you are to construct a railing around your roof, so that you do not bring bloodguilt on your house if someone falls from it.”A new house must have a railing around its roof so that no one's fall brings bloodguilt on the household.
- Joshua 2:6 (BSB)“(But Rahab had taken them up to the roof and hidden them among the stalks of flax that she had laid out there.)”Rahab used her flat roof as working space, laying out flax there and hiding the spies among it.
- Exodus 21:33-34 (BSB)“If a man opens or digs a pit and fails to cover it, and an ox or a donkey falls into it, the owner of the pit shall make restitution; he must pay its owner, and the dead animal will be his.”The law held a person responsible for harm caused by a hazard he left unprotected.
- Romans 13:10 (BSB)“Love does no wrong to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.”Love does no harm to a neighbor, including by carelessness.
Theological
What rationale does 22:8 give for requiring a parapet around the roof of a new house?
Answer: To keep the household free of bloodguilt should anyone fall
Flat roofs were working and living space (Joshua 2:6), so the law requires a parapet on every new house (22:8). The rationale is liability for life: a preventable fatal fall would bring bloodguilt on the household. The principle parallels the Exodus case law holding the owner of an uncovered pit responsible for resulting harm (Exodus 21:33-34). Negligence toward a neighbor's life is a failure of love, which by definition works no harm to a neighbor (Romans 13:10).
- Deuteronomy 22:8 (BSB)“If you build a new house, you are to construct a railing around your roof, so that you do not bring bloodguilt on your house if someone falls from it.”A new house must have a railing around its roof so that no one's fall brings bloodguilt on the household.
- Joshua 2:6 (BSB)“(But Rahab had taken them up to the roof and hidden them among the stalks of flax that she had laid out there.)”Rahab used her flat roof as working space, laying out flax there and hiding the spies among it.
- Exodus 21:33-34 (BSB)“If a man opens or digs a pit and fails to cover it, and an ox or a donkey falls into it, the owner of the pit shall make restitution; he must pay its owner, and the dead animal will be his.”The law held a person responsible for harm caused by a hazard he left unprotected.
- Romans 13:10 (BSB)“Love does no wrong to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.”Love does no harm to a neighbor, including by carelessness.
General
According to 22:1-2, what must an Israelite do with a fellow Israelite's straying ox or sheep if the owner lives far away or is unknown?
Answer: Take it home and look after it until the owner comes for it
Moses tells the Israelites not to look the other way when a fellow Israelite's ox or sheep wanders off (22:1). If the owner is close by, the finder returns it. If the owner lives far away, or the finder does not know whose animal it is, he must take it home and care for it until the owner comes looking, and then give it back (22:2). The older law in Exodus asked the same even for an enemy's animal (Exodus 23:4-5). Looking after another person's property this way is a practical form of neighbor-love (Leviticus 19:18), which Paul says is what the law was aiming at all along (Romans 13:10).
- Deuteronomy 22:1-2 (BSB)“If you see your brother’s ox or sheep straying, you must not ignore it; be sure to return it to your brother. If your brother does not live near you, or if you do not know who he is, you are to take the animal home to remain with you until your brother comes seeking it; then you can return it to him.”Moses commands the Israelites to return a fellow Israelite's straying animal, keeping it safe if the owner is far off or unknown.
- Exodus 23:4-5 (BSB)“If you encounter your enemy’s stray ox or donkey, you must return it to him. If you see the donkey of one who hates you fallen under its load, do not leave it there; you must help him with it.”The earlier law required the same care even for the stray animal of an enemy.
- Leviticus 19:18 (BSB)“Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against any of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.”The duty to a neighbor's property is a concrete form of the command to love one's neighbor.
- Romans 13:10 (BSB)“Love does no wrong to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.”Paul teaches that love does no wrong to a neighbor and so fulfills the law.
Theological
What does 22:1-2 require when the owner of a straying ox or sheep is distant or unknown?
Answer: The finder must shelter it at home until the owner seeks it out
The law forbids indifference toward a brother's straying ox or sheep (22:1). Distance or anonymity does not cancel the obligation: the finder must take the animal into his own keeping until the owner comes seeking it, and then restore it (22:2). Exodus extends the same duty to an enemy's animal (Exodus 23:4-5). The statute gives concrete shape to the command to love one's neighbor (Leviticus 19:18), and Paul identifies such love as what the law requires in full (Romans 13:10).
- Deuteronomy 22:1-2 (BSB)“If you see your brother’s ox or sheep straying, you must not ignore it; be sure to return it to your brother. If your brother does not live near you, or if you do not know who he is, you are to take the animal home to remain with you until your brother comes seeking it; then you can return it to him.”Moses commands the Israelites to return a fellow Israelite's straying animal, keeping it safe if the owner is far off or unknown.
- Exodus 23:4-5 (BSB)“If you encounter your enemy’s stray ox or donkey, you must return it to him. If you see the donkey of one who hates you fallen under its load, do not leave it there; you must help him with it.”The earlier law required the same care even for the stray animal of an enemy.
- Leviticus 19:18 (BSB)“Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against any of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.”The duty to a neighbor's property is a concrete form of the command to love one's neighbor.
- Romans 13:10 (BSB)“Love does no wrong to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.”Paul teaches that love does no wrong to a neighbor and so fulfills the law.
General
Where does 22:12 tell the Israelites to attach tassels?
Answer: At each corner of the cloak they wore
Every Israelite was to make tassels for each corner of his outer cloak (22:12). Numbers explains why: when they looked at the tassels, they would remember all of God's commands and obey them instead of following their own desires (Numbers 15:38-40). Jesus wore such a garment, for a woman suffering from a long illness touched its fringe (Matthew 9:20). He also warned against making tassels extra long to be admired by others (Matthew 23:5). The reminder was meant to lead to obedience, not to show.
- Deuteronomy 22:12 (BSB)“You are to make tassels on the four corners of the cloak you wear.”The Israelites are told to put tassels on the corners of their cloaks.
- Numbers 15:38-40 (BSB)““Speak to the Israelites and tell them that throughout the generations to come they are to make for themselves tassels for the corners of their garments, with a blue cord on each tassel. These will serve as tassels for you to look at, so that you may remember all the commandments of the LORD, that you may obey them and not prostitute yourselves by following your own heart and your own eyes. Then you will remember and obey all My commandments, and you will be holy to your God.”Numbers explains that the tassels were reminders to remember and obey all the LORD's commands.
- Matthew 9:20 (BSB)“Suddenly a woman who had suffered from bleeding for twelve years came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His cloak.”A suffering woman touched the fringe of Jesus' cloak, showing He wore the garment the law prescribed.
- Matthew 23:5 (BSB)“All their deeds are done for men to see. They broaden their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.”Jesus rebuked those who made their tassels long for show.
Theological
Where does 22:12 direct the Israelites to place tassels?
Answer: At each corner of the cloak they wore
The law requires tassels on each corner of the outer garment (22:12). Numbers supplies the purpose: they were visible reminders to remember and do all the LORD's commandments rather than follow the heart and eyes (Numbers 15:38-40). Jesus, born under the law, wore such a garment (Matthew 9:20), yet He condemned lengthening tassels for public display (Matthew 23:5). The sign served obedience, not self-advertisement.
- Deuteronomy 22:12 (BSB)“You are to make tassels on the four corners of the cloak you wear.”The Israelites are told to put tassels on the corners of their cloaks.
- Numbers 15:38-40 (BSB)““Speak to the Israelites and tell them that throughout the generations to come they are to make for themselves tassels for the corners of their garments, with a blue cord on each tassel. These will serve as tassels for you to look at, so that you may remember all the commandments of the LORD, that you may obey them and not prostitute yourselves by following your own heart and your own eyes. Then you will remember and obey all My commandments, and you will be holy to your God.”Numbers explains that the tassels were reminders to remember and obey all the LORD's commands.
- Matthew 9:20 (BSB)“Suddenly a woman who had suffered from bleeding for twelve years came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His cloak.”A suffering woman touched the fringe of Jesus' cloak, showing He wore the garment the law prescribed.
- Matthew 23:5 (BSB)“All their deeds are done for men to see. They broaden their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels.”Jesus rebuked those who made their tassels long for show.
General
In the case of 22:28-29, involving a young woman who was not yet engaged, what did the law require of the man?
Answer: Pay her father fifty shekels, marry her, and never divorce her
If a man took and lay with a virgin who was not engaged to anyone and they were found out, he had to pay her father fifty silver shekels, she became his wife, and he could never divorce her (22:28-29). The man had to bear the full cost of what he did: a payment and a permanent duty to provide for her as his wife. Divorce was otherwise allowed under Israel's law (24:1), so this rule took that option away from him. A related law in Exodus lets her father refuse the marriage, while still requiring the man to pay (Exodus 22:16-17).
- Deuteronomy 22:28-29 (BSB)“If a man encounters a virgin who is not pledged in marriage, and he seizes her and lies with her, and they are discovered, then the man who lay with her must pay the young woman’s father fifty shekels of silver, and she must become his wife because he has violated her. He must not divorce her as long as he lives.”The man must pay the woman's father fifty shekels, marry her, and may never divorce her.
- Exodus 22:16-17 (BSB)“If a man seduces a virgin who is not pledged in marriage and sleeps with her, he must pay the full dowry for her to be his wife. If her father absolutely refuses to give her to him, the man still must pay an amount comparable to the bridal price of a virgin.”The related law in Exodus lets the father refuse the marriage while still requiring the payment.
- Deuteronomy 24:1 (BSB)“If a man marries a woman, but she becomes displeasing to him because he finds some indecency in her, he may write her a certificate of divorce, hand it to her, and send her away from his house.”Divorce was otherwise permitted in Israel, so the lifelong bar removed a right the man would normally have had.
Theological
What does 22:28-29 require of a man in the case of a virgin who was not yet engaged?
Answer: A fifty-shekel payment, marriage, and a lifelong bar on divorce
When a man seizes an unbetrothed virgin and the matter is discovered, he must pay her father fifty silver shekels, take her as his wife, and forfeit the right of divorce for life (22:28-29). He bears both financial liability and a permanent obligation of provision. Since divorce was otherwise permitted (24:1), the bar withdraws a right he would ordinarily possess, as in 22:19. The Exodus case law, a related statute, allows the father to refuse the marriage while still exacting the payment (Exodus 22:16-17).
- Deuteronomy 22:28-29 (BSB)“If a man encounters a virgin who is not pledged in marriage, and he seizes her and lies with her, and they are discovered, then the man who lay with her must pay the young woman’s father fifty shekels of silver, and she must become his wife because he has violated her. He must not divorce her as long as he lives.”The man must pay the woman's father fifty shekels, marry her, and may never divorce her.
- Exodus 22:16-17 (BSB)“If a man seduces a virgin who is not pledged in marriage and sleeps with her, he must pay the full dowry for her to be his wife. If her father absolutely refuses to give her to him, the man still must pay an amount comparable to the bridal price of a virgin.”The related law in Exodus lets the father refuse the marriage while still requiring the payment.
- Deuteronomy 24:1 (BSB)“If a man marries a woman, but she becomes displeasing to him because he finds some indecency in her, he may write her a certificate of divorce, hand it to her, and send her away from his house.”Divorce was otherwise permitted in Israel, so the lifelong bar removed a right the man would normally have had.