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Exodus 22:17

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Exodus 22:17 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “If her father utterly refuse to give her unto him, he shall pay money according to the dowry of virgins.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

If her father utterly refuse to give her unto him, he shall pay money according to the dowry of virgins.
Exodus 22:17 — American Standard Version

Context — Exodus 22

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
14And if a man borrow aught of his neighbor, and it be hurt, or die, the owner thereof not being with it, he shall surely make restitution.
15If the owner thereof be with it, he shall not make it good: if it be a hired thing, it came for its hire.
16And if a man entice a virgin that is not betrothed, and lie with her, he shall surely pay a dowry for her to be his wife.
17If her father utterly refuse to give her unto him, he shall pay money according to the dowry of virgins.
18Thou shalt not suffer a sorceress to live.
19Whosoever lieth with a beast shall surely be put to death.
20He that sacrificeth unto any god, save unto Jehovah only, shall be utterly destroyed.
← Exodus 22:16Exodus 22:18 →
← Full Chapter 22 Exodus Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“If her father utterly refuse to give her unto him, etc.] 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…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“See the marginal references. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“If the father refused, he shall pay money - This shews how ill a thing it is, and by no means to be allowed, that children should marry without their parents consent: even here where the divine law appointed the marriage, both as a punishment to him that had done wrong, and a recompence to her that had suffered wrong, yet there was an express reservation for the father's power; if he denied his consent, it must be no marriage. Exodus 22:18”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“utterly: Deu 7:3, Deu 7:4 pay: Heb. weigh, Gen 23:16 dowry of virgins: Gen 34:12; Deu 22:29; Sa1 18:25 Exodus 22:18”
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Related study paths

Read Exodus 22 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification