“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.”
Deuteronomy 22:29 addresses a specific situation involving a man who seduces or lies with a virgin woman who is not betrothed or married. Let’s break down the verse and explore its meaning.
“Then the man that lay with her shall give unto the damsel’s father fifty shekels of silver”: In this context, the man who engaged in sexual relations with the virgin woman is held responsible for his actions. He is required to pay a fine of fifty shekels of silver to the young woman’s father. This payment serves as a form of compensation or a bride price.
“And she shall be his wife”: As a consequence of their actions, the man is obligated to marry the young woman he seduced or had sexual relations with. The act of intercourse establishes a bond and creates an obligation for the man to take her as his wife.
“Because he hath humbled her”: This phrase indicates that the man has violated the woman’s honour or dignity by engaging in sexual relations with her outside the context of a lawful marriage. The emphasis here is on the seriousness of this offence and the need for restitution.
“He may not put her away all his days”: Once the man has taken the woman as his wife, he is not permitted to divorce her or dismiss her for the rest of his life. This emphasises the permanent nature of the commitment he has made.
It’s important to understand that this passage is part of the Old Testament Mosaic Law, which was given to the Israelites as a set of guidelines and regulations for their conduct. While this law may seem unusual or even harsh by today’s standards, it should be interpreted within its historical and cultural context.
In summary, Deuteronomy 22:29 addresses the consequences of a man seducing a virgin woman who is not betrothed. It highlights the need for the man to take responsibility for his actions by paying a fine, marrying the woman, and committing to a lifelong union with her.
