Deuteronomio 22:19

19 e condanninlo in cento sicli di argento d’ammenda, i quali daranno al padre della giovane; perciocchè egli ha messa fuori una mala fama contro ad una vergine d’Israele; e siagli colei moglie, e non possa egli giammai in vita sua mandarla via.

Deuteronomio 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.

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FOOTNOTES:

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

Deuteronomio 22:19 In-Context

17 ed ecco, egli le ha apposte cose che dànno cagione che se ne sparli, dicendo: Io non ho trovata vergine la tua figliuola; e pure, ecco il segnal della virginità della mia figliuola. E stendano quel panno davanti agli Anziani della città.

18 Allora prendano gli Anziani di quella città quell’uomo, e lo castighino con battitura;

19 e condanninlo in cento sicli di argento d’ammenda, i quali daranno al padre della giovane; perciocchè egli ha messa fuori una mala fama contro ad una vergine d’Israele; e siagli colei moglie, e non possa egli giammai in vita sua mandarla via.

20 Ma se la cosa è vera, che quella giovane non sia stata trovata vergine;

21 tragganla fuori alla porta della casa di suo padre, e lapidinla le genti della sua città con pietre, sì che muoia; perciocchè ha commesso un atto infame in Israele, fornicando in casa di suo padre. E così togli via il male del mezzo di te.