Bible Strands
Deuteronomy 22:18
Then the elders of that city shall take the man and punish him.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Moses addresses the Israelite assembly regarding the legal procedure for a husband who falsely accuses his wife of non-virginity. The command activates immediately after the husband fails to produce proof of her virginity before the community leaders.
The words — זִקְנֵי־הָעִיר (ziknei-ha‘ir) translates literally to “the elders of the city,” identifying the local judicial body. וְיִסְּרוּ (ve-yissĕrû) means “and they will punish,” specifying the disciplinary action the elders must administer.
The thread — The text establishes a civic judicial role that aligns with the elder-selection criteria in Exodus 18:21, where trustworthy men are appointed to govern the people. This pattern of community elders adjudicating covenant violations repeats throughout the legal sections of Deuteronomy.
Why it lands — The passage requires readers to acknowledge that justice operates through documented evidence and institutional authority rather than private vengeance. It demands submission to civic judgment when resolving serious public accusations.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And the elders of that city shall take that man and chastise him;
Cross-references
- Exodus 18:21 Furthermore, select capable men from among the people—God-fearing, trustworthy men who are averse to dishonest gain. Appoint them over the people as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.