Exodus 22:17

17 And if her father positively refuse, and will not consent to give her to him for a wife, he shall pay compensation to her father according to the amount of the dowry of 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 But if the owner be with it, he shall not make compensation: but if it be a hired thing, there shall be to him instead of his hire.

16 And if any one deceive a virgin that is not betrothed, and lie with her, he shall surely endow her for a wife to himself.

17 And if her father positively refuse, and will not consent to give her to him for a wife, he shall pay compensation to her father according to the amount of the dowry of virgins.

18 Ye shall not save the lives of sorcerers.

19 Every one that lies with a beast ye shall surely put to death.