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Deuteronomy 22:17

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Deuteronomy 22:17 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “and, lo, he hath laid shameful things [to her charge], saying, I found not in thy daughter the tokens of virginity; and yet these are the tokens of my daughter`s virginity. And they shall spread the garment before the elders of the city.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

and, lo, he hath laid shameful things [to her charge], saying, I found not in thy daughter the tokens of virginity; and yet these are the tokens of my daughter`s virginity. And they shall spread the garment before the elders of the city.
Deuteronomy 22:17 — American Standard Version

Context — Deuteronomy 22

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
14and lay shameful things to her charge, and bring up an evil name upon her, and say, I took this woman, and when I came nigh to her, I found not in her the tokens of virginity;
15then shall the father of the damsel, and her mother, take and bring forth the tokens of the damsel`s virginity unto the elders of the city in the gate;
16and the damsel`s father shall say unto the elders, I gave my daughter unto this man to wife, and he hateth her;
17and, lo, he hath laid shameful things [to her charge], saying, I found not in thy daughter the tokens of virginity; and yet these are the tokens of my daughter`s virginity. And they shall spread the garment before the elders of the city.
18And the elders of that city shall take the man and chastise him;
19and they shall fine him a hundred [shekels] of silver, and give them unto the father of the damsel, because he hath brought up an evil name upon a virgin of Israel: and she shall be his wife; he may not put her away all his days.
20But if this thing be true, that the tokens of virginity were not found in the damsel;
← Deuteronomy 22:16Deuteronomy 22:18 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“His glory [is like] the firstling of his bullock, etc.] Such as were in Bashan, a country possessed by the posterity of Joseph, (see <192212>Psalm 22:12 <300401>Amos 4:1); and so might be called “his” bullock, or a young bull, was reckoned both comely and majestic; so Menis or Mnevis, king of Egypt, preferred a bull above all animals to be worshipped, because the most beautiful of all, as Aelianus f642 relates; and Astarte, according to Sanchoniatho f643, put a bull’s head upon her own, as a sign of royalty or kingly power. The Targums of Jonathan and Jerusalem refer this to the birthright which belonged to Reuben, and was taken from him, and given to Joseph, (see <130502>1 Chronicles 5:2).…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“22:17 The bed sheet (literally covering) might also have been a garment of some kind, such as a nightgown.”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification