Deuteronomy 22

you must not ignore it: A person should not avoid a difficult situation by pretending not to see it. Doing so is a failure of the person to do his duty to the covenant community.

In this law, men and women were not to dress or act like the other gender. The command was meant to keep a clear distinction between them.

This instruction reflects a broader pattern in Deuteronomy of keeping certain things separate (also 22:9–11).

with two types of seed: Planting two different kinds of seed in the same field would mix two kinds of plants together.

The law taught that certain things should remain separate. Planting different seeds in one field would go against this principle.

Plowing with an ox and a donkey together would not work well. The two animals are different in size and strength.

This example teaches the principle of separation and order. It shows that certain things should not be joined together (see also 2 Corinthians 6:14–18).

Keeping wool and linen separate showed Israel's separation as God's holy people (see also Leviticus 19:19).

Placing four tassels on the edge of a garment likely reminded the wearer to remain loyal to the covenant.

The tassels served as a visible reminder. They helped the person remember to obey the Lord’s instructions (see Numbers 15:37–41).

If a husband found evidence that his wife was not a virgin before marriage, he could accuse her of improper behavior (see 22:15). In that culture, this charge was serious. It brought public shame on the woman and her family.

proof of her virginity: : A blood-stained cloth would show that the woman’s hymen was ruptured by her first act of intercourse with her husband.

The cloth (literally covering) may also have been a piece of clothing, such as a night garment.

100 shekels of silver: The husband had already paid the woman’s father the normal bride price (a payment made at marriage). Now he must pay more money because he falsely accused her and damaged her reputation.

by being promiscuous (literally acting as a prostitute): One act of sexual intercourse by an unmarried woman was enough for her to receive this shameful label. Under the law, this offense could result in the death penalty.

In the Old Testament, betrothal (a formal promise to marry) was treated like marriage. Because of this, the phrase his neighbor's wife in this passage can refer to a woman who was engaged to be married.

• fifty shekels of silver: The young woman's father could still receive a bride-price for his unmarried daughter (see Genesis 34:12; Exodus 22:16).

• she must become his wife: The law required the man to marry the young woman. However, this assumed that both the young woman and her father agreed to the marriage (see Exodus 22:17).

The phrase his father’s wife does not refer to a man’s own mother. Sexual relations with one’s mother were considered a more serious offense.

Such acts were clearly forbidden in the law of Moses (see Leviticus 18:7–8, 29).