Exodus 22:17

17 "If her father absolutely refuses to give her to him, he shall pay money equal to the 1dowry for virgins.

Exodus 22:17 Meaning and Commentary

Exodus 22:17

If her father utterly refuse to give her unto him
For wife, either because of his character, family, or circumstances; or, however, being disagreeable to him on one account or another, and therefore will by no means agree to marry his daughter to him, and not only give him an absolute denial, but resolutely persist in it: the Targum of Jonathan has it,

``if it seems not good to him;''

if he do not like nor choose to marry her; and some add also, if she herself do not approve of marrying him:

he shall pay money according to the dowry of virgins;
as virgins on marriage have usually given them, according to their rank and dignity: here is no sum fixed, but the Targum of Jonathan is,

``he shall be mulcted in fifty shekels of silver,''

which is taken from ( Deuteronomy 22:29 ) though that seems to be not altogether a like case with this; for though it respects a virgin not betrothed, as here, yet one that has been forced, and therefore the man was obliged to marry her, and never put her away; and the mulct or fine was to be paid to the damsel's father and not to her: the Septuagint version here says, it was to be paid to the father.

Exodus 22:17 In-Context

15 "If its owner is with it, he shall not make restitution; if it is hired, it came for its hire.
16 "If a man seduces a virgin who is not engaged, and lies with her, he must pay a dowry for her to be his wife.
17 "If her father absolutely refuses to give her to him, he shall pay money equal to the dowry for virgins.
18 "You shall not allow a sorceress to live.
19 "Whoever lies with an animal shall surely be put to death.

Cross References 1

  • 1. Genesis 34:12; 1 Samuel 18:25

Footnotes 1

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