Deuteronomy 22:19

19 They will fine him one hundred silver shekels, giving that to the young woman's father, because that husband gave one of Israel's virgin daughters a bad reputation. Moreover, she must remain his wife; he is never allowed to divorce her.

Deuteronomy 22:19 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 22:19

And they shall amerce him in an hundred shekels of silver,
&c.] Which was about twelve pounds of our money; this was double the dowry he would have been obliged to have given her, if he had put her away; which he might have done with less trouble, and with a greater certainty of being rid of her; but being willing to save that expense, took this wicked method to accuse her falsely; and therefore is fined double that sum:

and give them unto the father of the damsel;
as a sort of satisfaction or reparation for the scandal brought upon him and his family; if the damsel was fatherless, Maimonides F25 says, she was to have them herself:

because he hath brought up an evil name upon a virgin in Israel:
defamed her among her neighbours and acquaintance, or brought a false accusation against her in court; alleging she was not a virgin when he married her, when she was one, which was a very great injury to her character:

and she shall be his wife, he may not put her away all his days:
and so he was disappointed in his view of getting rid of her, and obliged to retain her as his wife, though hated, and was not suffered to divorce her as long as he lived; which was permitted and connived at in other men, and which he might have done before, without bringing such a charge against her; all which must be very mortifying to him, as to be whipped, to pay a fine, keep his wife, and not allowed ever to divorce her.


FOOTNOTES:

F25 Hilchot Naarah Betulah, c. 3. sect. 1.

Deuteronomy 22:19 In-Context

17 That's why he has spread false claims about her, saying, ‘I couldn't find any proof that your daughter was a virgin.' But look! Here's proof of my daughter's virginity." At that point they will spread out the blanket in front of the city's elders.
18 The city's elders must then take that husband and punish him.
19 They will fine him one hundred silver shekels, giving that to the young woman's father, because that husband gave one of Israel's virgin daughters a bad reputation. Moreover, she must remain his wife; he is never allowed to divorce her.
20 However, if the claim is true and proof of the young woman's virginity can't be produced,
21 then the city's elders will bring the young woman to the door of her father's house. The citizens of that city must stone her until she dies because she acted so sinfully in Israel by having extramarital sex while still in her father's house. Remove such evil from your community!
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