Deuteronomy 22:28 (read on)...your comments?

Question

Deuteronomy 22:28 "If a man happens to meet a virgin who is not pledged to be married and rapes her and they are discovered, he shall pay her father 50 sheckels of silver. He must marry the young woman, for he has violated her."

ive heard a lot of answers that say this was the old testament. ...my thoughts are that God would never think like this ine first place. ...let me cut you off in your predictable thinking....moses and the bible are the spokesperson for God. if you dont agree burn your bible.

exodus, thank you, i have thought that there might be something wrong with this particular passage in my NIV bible but it has still been one of the major reasons (of about maybe 20) that i have lost my faith in the christian God.

still.... i can only trust those who put my NIV version of the bible together to provide the most accurate bible possible... and it says what it says.

Bob, okay, maybe he is getting off easy.

but what about that poor woman. take 30 seconds to actually think about the horrors of rape for a woman and then ask yourself it this passage is something that God would actually want.

Answer 1

Old Testament, old laws... think New Testament

Answer 2

a single woman who is a virgin... is raped.....found out.... and the father is paid the money..... and above all,,... the girl has to end up with the guy that raped her..... wow... talk about bad payoffs. I'm a guy and even I have to admit that pretty messed up... even teh money is a little messed up too. I think the writer or "believer" of this rule needs to realize that the outcome is not in teh best interest of anyone but the father who made some extra money.
Also, if you look at it, it seems to be based on a society or family where the child still fully follows every order from the parents. We all know that does not happen most of the time in real life today. And, i have to admit, i prefer it like this now. How many times have your parents tried to get you to do something you either know is wrong or is done wrong or incorrectly? Also, on the issue of the girl having to marry the guy that slept with her.... honestly, ladies and gents, how many times have you slept with someone and later regreted it not just because you slept with the person but also because of what happened after you slept with the person..... too much submission of personal feeling in my opinion.

Answer 3

The definition of rape as it is used in this passage is not the same definition used by 21st century white Americans, what it means is consenting pre-marital sex, not forced sex.

Douay-Rheims Bible
28 If a man find a damsel that is a virgin, who is not espoused, and taking her, lie with her, and the matter come to judgment:

The Douay-Rheims Bible is of the original Latin Vulgate which was translated by St. Jerome from the oldest Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic manuscripts.

Answer 4

There are principles in the "old" laws that should still be followed. If these were followed things would be vastly different than they are now. I mean have you considered Leviticus 11 or Deuteronomy 14? We don't have the same kinds of ways for doing things today as people who lived back then; but the principles should still carry through.

Answer 5

It is Old Testament Law. But the reason the Rapist was required to Marry her was because he had violated her Virginity, and Virginity was (and still should be) very important in getting your Daughter Married.

Answer 6

Yes, it is true, in the original Hebrew. Think of it this way: It's better for him to marry her than for her never to marry. For proof that people thought this way, see Samuel 2:12-13, where Tamar asks Amnon to marry her.

Answer 7

The KJV states it somewhat differently:

Deuteronomy 22:28  If a man find a damsel that is a virgin, which is not betrothed, and lay hold on her, and lie with her, and they be found;
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.

These verses may be referring to fornication instead of rape.

Answer 8

Interesting theory... so if the woman is not a virgin is married and is raped, does her betrothed recieve 50 sheckels? I believe this to be a pimp and ho business. Hmmmm

Answer 9

The Law required it, and he's getting off easy.
Before the Law, family didn't look so kindly to such acts.
(See Genesis 34 - Dinah was raped. Her rapist was killed, along with his father and every male in their hometown!)

We're much more civilzed. Now it's a 20 year prison sentence.

Answer 10

Sins involving sex are not innocent dabblings in forbidden pleasures, as is so often portrayed, but powerful destroyers of relationships. They confuse and tear down the climate of respect, trust, and credibility so essential for solid marriages and secure children. It also tears apart the church family structure.

Answer 11

A law put in place to provide for the women of the day. it goes on to say that he must support her all of his days... good idea given the ways of those times.