Set to dark modeSet to dark modeDeuteronomy 22 Commentary
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Moses exhorted his fellow Israelites to help preserve his brother’s life by taking care of his brother’s property. Lost property was to be returned to his brother. This included his brother’s livestock, which was many Israelites’ livelihood.
Moses prohibited wearing clothes of the opposite sex.
Moses trains the people to recognize the sanctity of life by encouraging them to care for a lower form of God’s creation—a mother bird along with its young. Though possibly designed to preserve a source of food supply, it serves as a principle to care for and preserve life, both human and animal.
Moses told the Israelites to make a parapet on their roof whenever they build a new house in order to protect the life of his neighbor.
Moses prohibited the mixture of seed, plow animals, and clothes.
Moses described the steps to be taken when a husband falsely accused his wife of not having been a virgin at the time of marriage. He also described what to do if these accusations were true.
Moses condemns adultery. If a man has sexual intercourse with a married woman, both of them shall die.
Moses described what to do about sexual infidelity committed by a virgin who was engaged to be married.
Moses gave the law designed to protect an unengaged virgin who may have been a victim of rape.
In this last case, Moses prohibited a man from marrying a woman who was formerly his father’s wife and was possibly his stepmother.
Deuteronomy 22 continues the exposition of the Ten Commandments. Verses 1 – 8 continue the discussion of the sixth commandment that commands a respect for the sanctity of human life ("You shall not murder" (Deuteronomy 5:17)). Starting in v. 13 through Deuteronomy 23:18, Moses discusses laws that relate to the seventh commandment ("You shall not commit adultery" Deuteronomy 5:18).
The chapter contains several practical situations that might occur in Israel and the rules concerning how to handle them in light of the commandments. The Suzerain (Ruler) God prescribed all these laws to help His vassals (Israel) live righteously before Him.
Deuteronomy 22 can be outlined as follows:
- Law Concerning Returning Lost Property (Deuteronomy 22:1 – 4)
- Law Concerning Cross-dressing (Deuteronomy 22:5)
- Law Concerning Returning Lost Property (Deuteronomy 22:6 – 7)
- Law Concerning Building a Parapet (Deuteronomy 22:8)
- Illustrations of the Principle of Purity (Deuteronomy 22:9 – 12)
- Cases Concerning Purity in Marriage (Deuteronomy 22:13 – 30)
- Case 1 – A Husband Accusing His Wife of Impurity (Deuteronomy 22:13 – 21)
- Case 2 – A Man Having Sexual Relations With a Married Woman (Deuteronomy 22:22)
- Case 3 – A Man Having Sexual Relations With an Engaged Virgin (Deuteronomy 22:23 – 27)
- Case 4 – A Man Having Sexual Relations With a Virgin Not Engaged (Deuteronomy 22:28 – 29)
- Case 5 – A Man Committing Incest (Deuteronomy 22:30)
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