“Then ye shall bring them both out unto the gate of that city, and ye shall stone them with stones that they die; the damsel, because she cried not, being in the city; and the man, because he hath humbled his neighbour’s wife: so thou shalt put away evil from among you.”
Context:The book of Deuteronomy is part of the Pentateuch, which is the first five books of the Bible, traditionally ascribed to Moses. Deuteronomy contains a series of laws and regulations given by God to the Israelites as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. The verse in question deals with the punishment for adultery, specifically when a man commits adultery with another man’s wife.
Adultery in the Old Testament:Adultery was considered a grave offense in the Mosaic Law. The seventh commandment explicitly prohibits adultery (Exodus 20:14). It was a violation not only against the sanctity of marriage but also against the social and moral order of the community.
The Punishment:In this verse, God commands that both the man and the woman involved in adultery be brought to the gate of the city and stoned to death. The punishment was severe and intended to serve as a deterrent to others and to preserve the purity and sanctity of marriage. Stoning was a common method of execution in ancient Israel.
Equal Accountability:It is important to note that both the man and the woman were held accountable for the act of adultery. The punishment was not one-sided, indicating that both parties involved bore responsibility for their actions. The equality of the punishment emphasizes the importance of upholding moral standards and the sanctity of marriage for both men and women.
Absence of Consent:The verse mentions that if the woman being violated did not cry out for help, it was considered that she was in the city and didn’t seek assistance. This suggests that the absence of resistance or outcry implied consent, which distinguished between forced sexual acts and consensual relations. This aspect of the law aimed to protect innocent women and prevent false accusations.
A Call for Moral Purity:The command to stone adulterers in this verse serves as a strong reminder of God’s expectation for moral purity and faithfulness within the covenant of marriage. It underscores the severity of the sin of adultery and its consequences not only in the sight of God but also within the community.
Jesus and the New Testament:In the New Testament, Jesus addressed the issue of adultery and expanded the understanding of its implications. In Matthew 5:27-28, Jesus taught that even looking at a woman with lustful intent is committing adultery in the heart. He emphasized the importance of purity of thought and intention, going beyond the mere outward action.
It is crucial to approach Old Testament laws with an understanding of the cultural and historical context in which they were given. While the punishment for adultery mentioned in Deuteronomy 22:24 may seem harsh by today’s standards, it reflected the seriousness with which God viewed the violation of the marriage covenant and the importance of maintaining moral purity within the community of Israel.
