Deuteronomy 22:16

16 The girl's father will tell the leaders, "I gave my daughter in marriage to this man, but he doesn't like her.

Deuteronomy 22:16 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 22:16

And the damsel's father shall say unto the elders
Not her mother; hence we learn, says Jarchi, that a woman has not power (or is not allowed) to speak before men; that is, in public see ( 1 Corinthians 14:34 ) and it was most proper for a father to appear in court for her, and defend her; and if she had no parents living then, those that brought her up, her guardians, that had the education of her, and placing her out in marriage, were to undertake her cause; or, as Josephus ^F18 says, those that were next akin to her; or, as, Aben Ezra, one appointed by the court:

I gave my daughter unto this man to wife;
and, by the Jewish canons {s}, a man might give his daughter in marriage, but a woman might not:

and he hateth her;
has taken a dislike to her, and wants to be rid of her, and therefore has brought this infamous action against her.

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FOOTNOTES:

F18 Antiqu. l. 4. c. 8. sect. 23.
F19 Misn. Sotah, c. 3. sect. 8.

Deuteronomy 22:16 In-Context

14 Then he might make up charges against her and ruin her reputation by saying, "I married this woman. But when I slept with her, I found out she wasn't a virgin."

15 The girl's father and mother must go to the city gate where the leaders of the city are and submit the evidence that their daughter was a virgin.

16 The girl's father will tell the leaders, "I gave my daughter in marriage to this man, but he doesn't like her.

17 Now he has made up charges against her. He says he found out that my daughter wasn't a virgin. But here's the evidence!" Then the girl's parents must spread out the cloth in front of the leaders of the city.

18 The leaders of that city must take the man and punish him.