Deuteronomy 22:21 Meaning and Explanation
“Then they shall bring out the damsel to the door of her father's house, and the men of her city shall stone her with stones that she die: because she hath wrought folly in Israel, to play the whore in her father's house: so shalt thou put evil away from among you.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →If proven guilty, the bride is executed by the community for sexual deception before marriage.
The Context of Deuteronomy 22:21
The consequence for a bride proven to have deceived about her virginity.
What Does Deuteronomy 22:21 Mean?
The punishment is capital: community stoning at her father's house. The location emphasizes the shame was born in her father's house while under his protection. The entire community participates in the execution, making her guilt public and removing evil.
The language—'played the whore'—treats consensual premarital relations as apostasy from covenant identity. Her deception carries the weight of a crime against the community's holiness and order.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deuteronomy 22:21
What does Deuteronomy 22:21 mean?
If proven guilty, the bride is executed by the community for sexual deception before marriage.
What is the context of Deuteronomy 22:21?
The consequence for a bride proven to have deceived about her virginity.