Skip to Content.
Sympa Menu

b-hebrew - Re: [b-hebrew] Definite Article 7:14

b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org

Subject: Biblical Hebrew Forum

List archive

Chronological Thread  
  • From: Harold Holmyard <hholmyard3 AT earthlink.net>
  • To: b-hebrew AT lists.ibiblio.org
  • Subject: Re: [b-hebrew] Definite Article 7:14
  • Date: Sun, 15 Jul 2007 18:00:21 -0500

Dear Isaac,
We need to distinguish between physical virginity and chastity.

HH: The law is not talking about the issue you brought up. It is talking especially about whether the woman had sex before marriage or not. God is not like us. He says what he means.

Deuteronomy 22:13-21 makes clear that lack of physical virginity means nothing, since we know, and the ancient Hebrews certainly knew as well, that a girl may inadvertently lose her virginity for no fault of her own.

HH: This is not the subject at all. In the 1800's in the case of Beduins and lower classes of the Moslems in Egypt and Syria, the parents would take possession of the spotted bed clothes directly after the marriage night. They did for just this reason of being able to disprove the later false accusation of a malcontent husband. The issue is a moral one. The Deuteronomy law was a warning against bogus accusations of promiscuity in order to get out of a new marriage that one regretted. It was a warning of the dire consequences of promiscuity prior to marriage. God legislated these matters. The words mean what they say.

The threat of verses 20-21 is a theoretical one to impress upon the accusing husband the seriousness of his allegations. It is inconceivable that the ancient Hebrews would stone a woman to death for sheer lack of virginity.

HH: First, it is not inconceivable, because plenty of other Mosaic laws threaten death or similar consequences for sexual sins. Second, the law codes of the ancient world could be very harsh. If you read the law codes of other ancient peoples like the Assyrians, you will see that it is not at all inconceivable.

Yours,
Harold Holmyard






Archive powered by MHonArc 2.6.24.

Top of Page