Exodus 22:16
Exodus 22:16 in Multiple Translations
If a man seduces a virgin who is not pledged in marriage and sleeps with her, he must pay the full dowry for her to be his wife.
¶ And if a man entice a maid that is not betrothed, and lie with her, he shall surely endow her to be his wife.
And 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.
If a man takes a virgin, who has not given her word to another man, and has connection with her, he will have to give a bride-price for her to be his wife.
If a man seduces a virgin who is not engaged to be married and sleeps with her, he must pay the full bride-price for her to become his wife.
And if a man entise a maide that is not betrothed, and lie with her, hee shall endowe her, and take her to his wife.
'And when a man doth entice a virgin who [is] not betrothed, and hath lain with her, he doth certainly endow her to himself for a wife;
“If a man entices a virgin who isn’t pledged to be married, and lies with her, he shall surely pay a dowry for her to be his wife.
And if a man shall entice a maid that is not betrothed, and lie with her, he shall surely endow her to be his wife.
If a man seduce a virgin not yet espoused, and lie with her: he shall endow her, and have her to wife.
“If a man persuades a girl/woman to have sex with him, a girl/woman who ◄is a virgin/has never had sex with any man► and who is not engaged to be married, he must pay the bride price for her and marry her.
Berean Amplified Bible — Exodus 22:16
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Exodus 22:16 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אִם
מָאֵ֧ן
יְמָאֵ֛ן
אָבִ֖י/הָ
לְ/תִתָּ֣/הּ
ל֑/וֹ
כֶּ֣סֶף
יִשְׁקֹ֔ל
כְּ/מֹ֖הַר
הַ/בְּתוּלֹֽת
אִם
ʼim
H518
if
Conj
מָאֵ֧ן
mâʼên
H3985
to refuse
V-Piel-Ptc
יְמָאֵ֛ן
mâʼên
H3985
to refuse
V-Piel-Imperf-3ms
אָבִ֖י/הָ
ʼâb
H1
father
N-ms | Suff
לְ/תִתָּ֣/הּ
nâthan
H5414
to give
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a | Suff
ל֑/וֹ
Prep | Suff
כֶּ֣סֶף
keçeph
H3701
silver
N-ms
יִשְׁקֹ֔ל
shâqal
H8254
to weigh
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
כְּ/מֹ֖הַר
môhar
H4119
brideprice
Prep | N-ms
הַ/בְּתוּלֹֽת
bᵉthûwlâh
H1330
virgin
Art | N-fp
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Exodus 22:16
אִם
ʼim
H518
"if"
Conj
This Hebrew word is used to express conditions or questions, like if or whether. It can also be used to make oaths or express wishes, as in Oh that! It appears in various forms in the KJV, including if, though, and when.
Definition: : if/whether_or/though 1) if 1a) conditional clauses 1a1) of possible situations 1a2) of impossible situations 1b) oath contexts 1b1) no, not 1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or 1d) when, whenever 1e) since 1f) interrogative particle 1g) but rather
Usage: Occurs in 931 OT verses. KJV: (and, can-, doubtless, if, that) (not), [phrase] but, either, [phrase] except, [phrase] more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or, [phrase] save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, [phrase] surely (no more, none, not), though, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] unless, [phrase] verily, when, whereas, whether, while, [phrase] yet. See also: Genesis 4:7; Exodus 22:3; Leviticus 27:27.
מָאֵ֧ן
mâʼên
H3985
"to refuse"
V-Piel-Ptc
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to say no or reject something. It is used in Exodus 23:5 to describe refusing to help someone in need. God commands people to not refuse help.
Definition: (Piel) to refuse
Usage: Occurs in 39 OT verses. KJV: refuse, [idiom] utterly. See also: Genesis 37:35; Nehemiah 9:17; Psalms 77:3.
יְמָאֵ֛ן
mâʼên
H3985
"to refuse"
V-Piel-Imperf-3ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to say no or reject something. It is used in Exodus 23:5 to describe refusing to help someone in need. God commands people to not refuse help.
Definition: (Piel) to refuse
Usage: Occurs in 39 OT verses. KJV: refuse, [idiom] utterly. See also: Genesis 37:35; Nehemiah 9:17; Psalms 77:3.
אָבִ֖י/הָ
ʼâb
H1
"father"
N-ms | Suff
In Hebrew, this word means father, whether literal or figurative. It is used to describe God as the father of his people, as well as human fathers like Abraham. The word is about a paternal relationship or authority.
Definition: 1) father of an individual 2) of God as father of his people 3) head or founder of a household, group, family, or clan 4) ancestor 4a) grandfather, forefathers - of person 4b) of people 5) originator or patron of a class, profession, or art 6) of producer, generator (fig.) 7) of benevolence and protection (fig.) 8) term of respect and honour 9) ruler or chief (spec.) Also means: av (אַב "father" H0002)
Usage: Occurs in 1060 OT verses. KJV: chief, (fore-) father(-less), [idiom] patrimony, principal. Compare names in 'Abi-'. See also: Genesis 2:24; Genesis 42:37; Leviticus 19:3.
לְ/תִתָּ֣/הּ
nâthan
H5414
"to give"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a | Suff
This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.
Definition: : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up 1c2) to be put upon
Usage: Occurs in 1816 OT verses. KJV: add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. See also: Genesis 1:17; Genesis 40:21; Exodus 30:12.
ל֑/וֹ
""
Prep | Suff
כֶּ֣סֶף
keçeph
H3701
"silver"
N-ms
Silver or money, often referring to payment or wealth, like the silver talents in Matthew 25. It can also describe silver as a valuable metal or ornament.
Definition: : money/payment/silver 1) silver, money 1a) silver 1a1) as metal 1a2) as ornament 1a3) as colour 1b) money, shekels, talents
Usage: Occurs in 343 OT verses. KJV: money, price, silver(-ling). See also: Genesis 13:2; Numbers 22:18; 2 Chronicles 1:17.
יִשְׁקֹ֔ל
shâqal
H8254
"to weigh"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
To weigh or measure something, like a merchant weighing goods, is what this Hebrew word means, as seen in Proverbs 16:11.
Definition: 1) to weigh, weigh out, pay out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to weigh 1a2) to weigh out (a price) 1a3) of grief (fig) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be weighed 1b2) to be weighed out Aramaic equivalent: te.qal (תְּקַל "to weigh" H8625A)
Usage: Occurs in 21 OT verses. KJV: pay, receive(-r), spend, [idiom] throughly, weigh. See also: Genesis 23:16; Esther 4:7; Isaiah 33:18.
כְּ/מֹ֖הַר
môhar
H4119
"brideprice"
Prep | N-ms
The Hebrew word for the price paid for a wife, similar to a dowry. It appears in the Old Testament as a payment made by the groom to the bride's family. This practice was common in ancient Israel.
Definition: purchase price for wife, wedding money
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: dowry. See also: Genesis 34:12; Exodus 22:16; 1 Samuel 18:25.
הַ/בְּתוּלֹֽת
bᵉthûwlâh
H1330
"virgin"
Art | N-fp
A virgin, or bride, is described by this word, emphasizing her private and untouched state, as seen in the stories of Genesis and Esther.
Definition: virgin
Usage: Occurs in 50 OT verses. KJV: maid, virgin. See also: Genesis 24:16; Isaiah 23:12; Psalms 45:15.
Study Notes — Exodus 22:16
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Exodus 22:16 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Exodus 22:16
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 22:16
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Exodus 22:16
- Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 22:16
- Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 22:16
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Exodus 22:16
- Cambridge Bible on Exodus 22:16
- Barnes' Notes on Exodus 22:16
- Sermons on Exodus 22:16
Context — Laws of Social Responsibility
14If a man borrows an animal from his neighbor and it is injured or dies while its owner is not present, he must make full restitution.
15If the owner was present, no restitution is required. If the animal was rented, the fee covers the loss.
16If a man seduces a virgin who is not pledged in marriage and sleeps with her, he must pay the full dowry for her to be his wife.
17If her father absolutely refuses to give her to him, the man still must pay an amount comparable to the bridal price of a virgin. 18You must not allow a sorceress to live.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deuteronomy 22:28–29 | If a man encounters a virgin who is not pledged in marriage, and he seizes her and lies with her, and they are discovered, then the man who lay with her must pay the young woman’s father fifty shekels of silver, and she must become his wife because he has violated her. He must not divorce her as long as he lives. |
| 2 | Genesis 34:2–4 | When Shechem son of Hamor the Hivite, the prince of the region, saw her, he took her and lay with her by force. And his soul was drawn to Dinah, the daughter of Jacob. He loved the young girl and spoke to her tenderly. So Shechem told his father Hamor, “Get me this girl as a wife.” |
Exodus 22:16 Summary
[This verse is talking about a situation where a man has sex with a woman who is not married, and it says that he must pay a dowry to marry her. This is because the woman's value and worth come from God, and the man must take responsibility for his actions, as seen in Genesis 2:24 and Matthew 19:4-6. The Bible teaches us to respect and care for one another, especially in romantic relationships, and to prioritize God's plan for marriage and relationships, as seen in Ephesians 5:25-33.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to 'seduce' a virgin in Exodus 22:16?
In this context, to seduce means to deceive or persuade someone to engage in sexual activity outside of marriage, as seen in Deuteronomy 22:28-29, which also addresses the issue of a man forcing himself on a woman. This is a serious offense against the woman and her family.
Why must the man pay the full dowry for her to be his wife?
The payment of the dowry is a way of showing responsibility for one's actions and providing for the woman's well-being, as seen in Exodus 22:17, which also requires the man to pay the bridal price if the father refuses to give her to him in marriage. This practice is also mentioned in Genesis 34:12 and 1 Samuel 18:25.
How does this verse relate to modern society and dating?
While the cultural context is different, the principle of respecting and caring for one another, especially in romantic relationships, remains the same. As seen in 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 and 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7, the Bible teaches us to honor God with our bodies and to treat others with love and respect.
What if the father refuses to give his daughter to the man in marriage?
According to Exodus 22:17, if the father refuses to give his daughter to the man in marriage, the man still must pay an amount comparable to the bridal price of a virgin, showing that he is still responsible for his actions and must provide for the woman's well-being, as seen in the example of Jacob and Rachel in Genesis 29:20.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I can show respect and care for others, especially in romantic relationships, as taught in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7?
- How can I prioritize God's plan for marriage and relationships in my own life, as seen in Ephesians 5:25-33 and Colossians 3:14?
- What are some cultural or societal pressures that may lead people to engage in premarital sex, and how can I resist these pressures, as warned in 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7?
- In what ways can I seek to honor God with my body and my relationships, as taught in 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 and Romans 12:1-2?
Gill's Exposition on Exodus 22:16
And if a man entice a maid, that is not betrothed,.... For one might be betrothed according to the custom of those times, and not be married, or the nuptials consummated, and so be yet a maid or
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Exodus 22:16
And if a man entice a maid that is not betrothed, and lie with her, he shall surely endow her to be his wife. And if a man entice a maid that is not betrothed.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Exodus 22:16
If a man entice a maid, by persuasions, promise of marriage, allurements, or rewards. But if she were betrothed, it was punished with death, ,24.
Trapp's Commentary on Exodus 22:16
Exodus 22:16 And if a man entice a maid that is not betrothed, and lie with her, he shall surely endow her to be his wife.Ver. 16. Entice a maid.] Heb., persuade with her by fair words, which make fools fain.
Ellicott's Commentary on Exodus 22:16
LAWS.(16-31) The remainder of the chapter contains laws which it is impossible to bring under any general head or heads, and which can, therefore, only be regarded as miscellaneous. Moses may have recorded them in the order in which they were delivered to him; or have committed them to writing as they afterwards occurred to his memory.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Exodus 22:16
Verse 16. If a man entice a maid] This was an exceedingly wise and humane law, and must have operated powerfully against seduction and fornication; because the person who might feel inclined to take the advantage of a young woman knew that he must marry her, and give her a dowry, if her parents consented; and if they did not consent that their daughter should wed her seducer, in this case he was obliged to give her the full dowry which could have been demanded had she been still a virgin. According to the Targumist here, and to Deuteronomy 22:29, the dowry was fifty shekels of silver, which the seducer was to pay to her father, and he was obliged to take her to wife; nor had he authority, according to the Jewish canons, ever to put her away by a bill of divorce. This one consideration was a powerful curb on disorderly passions, and must tend greatly to render marriages respectable, and prevent all crimes of this nature.
Cambridge Bible on Exodus 22:16
16, 17. Compensation for the seduction of an unbetrothed maiden The unmarried and unbetrothed daughter counts as part of her father’s property; by the loss of her virginity her value is diminished; her father consequently has a claim for compensation; and the seducer must pay the price sufficient to make the girl his wife. Comp. Deuteronomy 22:28-29 (where, however, the case contemplated is one not of seduction, but of rape). The seduction of a betrothed maiden is regarded as virtually the same thing as adultery: this is dealt with in Deuteronomy 22:23-27.
Barnes' Notes on Exodus 22:16
See the marginal references.
Sermons on Exodus 22:16
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
(Genesis) Genesis 34:1-9 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Dinah, the daughter of Jacob, and how she was defiled by Sheikham, the son of Hamor. The preacher emphasizes the importance of u |