Deuteronomy 22:20

20 But and yf the thinge be of a suertie that the damsell be not founde a virgen,

Deuteronomy 22:20 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 22:20

But if this thing be true
Which the husband of the damsel laid to her charge, that she was no virgin when married to him, and she had committed whoredom, of which there was plain proof:

and the tokens of virginity be not found for the damsel;
by her parents, or those who had the care of her; or no sufficient reason could be assigned for the want of them, through any family defect, or any disorder of her own; which, as Maimonides ^F26 says, the judges were to inquire into.

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FOOTNOTES:

F26 Hilchot Ishot, c. 11. sect. 12.

Deuteronomy 22:20 In-Context

18 Then let the elders of that citie take that man and chastyce him

19 and merce him in an hundred sycles of syluer and geue them vnto the father of the damsell, because he hath brought vpp an euell name vppon a mayde in Israel. And she shalbe his wife, and he may not put her awaye all his dayes.

20 But and yf the thinge be of a suertie that the damsell be not founde a virgen,

21 let them brynge her vnto the dore of hir fathers housse, and let the men of that citie stone her with stones to deeth, because she hath wrought folye in Israel, to playe the whore in hir fathers housse. And so thou shalt put euell awaye from the.

22 Yf a man be founde lyenge with a woman, that hath a wedded husbonde, then let the dye etherother of the: both the man that laye with the wife and also the wife: so thou shalt put awaye euell from Israel.