Translations
Modern
…and he then accuses her of shameful conduct and gives her a bad name, saying, “I married this woman and had relations with her, but I discovered she was not a virgin.”
Traditional
And give occasions of speech against her, and bring up an evil name upon her, and say, I took this woman, and when I came to her, I found her not a maid:
Literal
…and he charges her with shameful conduct and brings on her a bad name and says, “This woman I took, and I came to her, and I found her not a virgin,”
Latin
…quæsieritque occasiones quibus dimittat eam, objiciens ei nomen pessimum, et dixerit: Uxorem hanc accepi, et ingressus ad eam non inveni virginem:
Original
Hebrew
English
…and he then accuses her of shameful conduct and gives her a bad name, saying, “I married this woman and had relations with her, but I discovered she was not a virgin.”
Notes
If a husband found evidence that his wife was not a virgin before marriage, he could accuse her of improper behavior (see 22:15). In that culture, this charge was serious. It brought public shame on the woman and her family.
Theme notes and profiles
Glossary
Archaeology and the Bible Biblical Concept of Law Covenant Deuteronomy, Book of Marriage, Marriage Customs
Topics
Adultery: Penalties For Character: Defamation of, Punished Church: Rules of Discipline In, Mosaic and Christian Damages and Compensation: General Scriptures Concerning Government: Municipal: Devolving Upon a Local Senate and Executive officers Husband: General Scriptures Concerning Slander: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Virgin: Proofs of