The first verses of this chapter 1-12 are rules on taking care of a neighbor's animal; men and women's regulations for dressing; how to sow seeds; and ploughing.
The focus on verses 12-29 is related to relations between men and women; and the judgments to be rendered on certain behaviors. We see as in Matthew 5:31 the so called "exception clause" which is likely related to betrothal since that is what caused Joseph to contemplate divorcing the woman he was betrothed to in Matthew 1:19.
It is clear from this chapter that a married woman who was correctly assessed not to be a virgin at the inception of a marriage after being accused by her husband was to be put to death (v.21); and this sentence was to be done for a betrothed woman and the man having relations with her (v. 23-24).
When the betrothed woman was innocent because she protested at the actions of rape of the man; he was to be stoned; and she was innocent (v. 25-27).
In the case of a woman not betrothed; after relations occur a payment was to be made to the father of the woman and he was to marry her. He also could not "put her away all of his days". (v. 29). This same rule was to be for the woman innocent of the accusations of the new husband at the consummation of the marriage (v. 17-19). He could not divorce her. This would surely seem to indicate that when a marriage wasn't tangled with these accusations the same rule would apply; in other words; a marriage was for life. It is interesting that even with David and Solomon among others having hundreds of wives (and concubines); divorce is never mentioned even with multiple wives in many cases. These scriptures don't indicate a woman initiating fornication or being the accusers here; but both parties are involved in ramifications when vows are made.
The last verse relates to not having relations with a father's wife; clearly demonstrated as a death penalty in other scriptures. (v. 30).
The first verses of this chapter 1-12 are rules on taking care of a neighbor's animal; men and women's regulations for dressing; how to sow seeds; and ploughing.
The focus on verses 12-29 is related to relations between men and women; and the judgments to be rendered on certain behaviors. We see as in Matthew 5:31 the so called "exception clause" which is likely related to betrothal since that is what caused Joseph to contemplate divorcing the woman he was betrothed to in Matthew 1:19.
It is clear from this chapter that a married woman who was correctly assessed not to be a virgin at the inception of a marriage after being accused by her husband was to be put to death (v.21); and this sentence was to be done for a betrothed woman and the man having relations with her (v. 23-24).
When the betrothed woman was innocent because she protested at the actions of rape of the man; he was to be stoned; and she was innocent (v. 25-27).
In the case of a woman not betrothed; after relations occur a payment was to be made to the father of the woman and he was to marry her. He also could not "put her away all of his days". (v. 29). This same rule was to be for the woman innocent of the accusations of the new husband at the consummation of the marriage (v. 17-19). He could not divorce her. This would surely seem to indicate that when a marriage wasn't tangled with these accusations the same rule would apply; in other words; a marriage was for life. It is interesting that even with David and Solomon among others having hundreds of wives (and concubines); divorce is never mentioned even with multiple wives in many cases. These scriptures don't indicate a woman initiating fornication or being the accusers here; but both parties are involved in ramifications when vows are made.
The last verse relates to not having relations with a father's wife; clearly demonstrated as a death penalty in other scriptures. (v. 30).
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