Exodus 22:17

17 If her father absolutely refuses to give her to him, he must pay an amount in silver equal to the bridal price 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 there with it, the man does not have to make restitution. If it was rented, the loss is covered by its rental price.
16 "When a man seduces a virgin who was not promised in marriage, and he has sexual relations with her, he must certainly pay the bridal price for her to be his wife.
17 If her father absolutely refuses to give her to him, he must pay an amount in silver equal to the bridal price for virgins.
18 "You must not allow a sorceress to live.
19 "Whoever has sexual intercourse with an animal must be put to death.
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