Bible Commentaries
Deuteronomy 22

Introduction

Deuteronomy 12-26, 28. A code of laws (Deuteronomy 1-26) followed by promises to the obedient and threats of punishment for the rest (Deuteronomy 28): see Introd., p. 231. The great Deuteronomic law of one sanctuary is taught or implied in Deuteronomy 12:1 to Deuteronomy 19:13 and hardly in any other part of Dt. This section may, therefore, represent essentially the original Deuteronomic code (see Introd.).

Verses 1-12

Deuteronomy 22:1-4 . See Exodus 23:4 f.* (JE) and Leviticus 6:1-7 * (P), and cf. CH. §§ 9– 13.

Deuteronomy 22:5. Peculiar to Dt. In one of the rites of Canaanite, Phœ nician, and Syrian heathenism the sexes changed dresses (see references in Driver).

Deuteronomy 22:6 f. Respect for parenthood, so prominent in Dt. ( Deuteronomy 21:18-21, cf. Deuteronomy 5:16) is the probable source of this law (peculiar to Dt.).

Deuteronomy 22:8 . Another example of the hunianitarianism ( Deuteronomy 15:12-18 *) so characteiistic of Dt. In the East people spend much of their evenings on the flat roof of their houses ( Judges 16:27, 1 Samuel 9:25, 2 Samuel 11:2, etc.). They were used for religious ceremonies ( Nehemiah 8:16, Jeremiah 19:13, Zephaniah 1:5) and for private prayer ( Acts 10:9). Without such a parapet as is here prescribed, accidents would be common. The present writer has spent many a social evening in Palestine on such a house-top, always protected by a parapet or surrounding wall.— blood: Deuteronomy 19:10.

Deuteronomy 22:9-11 . Leviticus 19:19 * (H).

Deuteronomy 22:12 . See Numbers 15:37-41 *.— fringes: an inaccurate rendering due to LXX ( cf. Matthew 9:20, “ hem” ) [RV, “ border” ]. What is meant is a kind of tassel found still attached to the Jewish talith or prayer-shawl.

Verses 13-30

Deuteronomy 22:13-30 . Sins against Pure Marriages.

Deuteronomy 22:14 . tokens of virginity: their absence is now known not to be necessarily a proof of pre-nuptial unchastity, though the ancient peoples held the contrary, as some peoples do still (see J. D. Michaelis, The Laws of Moses, i. p. 478ff.; Burckhardt, The Bedouins, etc., p. 62f.; Westermarck, History of Human Marriage, p. 123f.). The severe punishment for unchastity before ( Deuteronomy 22:21) and after ( Deuteronomy 22:22-29) marriage shows the uncompromising attitude of Dt. towards sexual sins— a striking contrast to the prevailing customs of surrounding nations: why the difference?

Deuteronomy 22:22 . See Leviticus 18:20 *, cf. CH, § 129.

Deuteronomy 22:23 f . In CH (§ 130) the man is put to death, the woman set free.

Deuteronomy 22:28 f. See Exodus 22:16 f.* (JE).

Deuteronomy 22:30 . See Leviticus 18:8 *, Leviticus 20:11 (H).— skirt: bedsheet; in Leviticus 18:8, “ nakedness.” Among the ancient Hebrews a man inherited his father’ s wives and concubines as his other property ( Genesis 35:22; Genesis 49:4, etc.), cf. W. R. Smith, Kinship 2 , p. 104f.