Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version then the young woman’s father and mother shall bring to the town elders at the gate proof that she was a virgin. New Living Translation Then the woman’s father and mother must bring the proof of her virginity to the elders as they hold court at the town gate. English Standard Version then the father of the young woman and her mother shall take and bring out the evidence of her virginity to the elders of the city in the gate. Berean Standard Bible Then the young woman’s father and mother shall bring the proof of her virginity to the city elders at the gate Berean Literal Bible the father and the young woman—and mother—shall take and bring out the tokens of virginity of the young woman to the elders of the city at the gate. King James Bible Then shall the father of the damsel, and her mother, take and bring forth the tokens of the damsel's virginity unto the elders of the city in the gate: New King James Version then the father and mother of the young woman shall take and bring out the evidence of the young woman’s virginity to the elders of the city at the gate. New American Standard Bible then the girl’s father and her mother shall take and bring out the evidence of the girl’s virginity to the elders of the city at the gate. NASB 1995 then the girl’s father and her mother shall take and bring out the evidence of the girl’s virginity to the elders of the city at the gate. NASB 1977 then the girl’s father and her mother shall take and bring out the evidence of the girl’s virginity to the elders of the city at the gate. Legacy Standard Bible then the girl’s father and her mother shall take and bring out the evidence of the girl’s virginity to the elders of the city at the gate. Amplified Bible then the young woman’s father and her mother shall get and bring out the evidence of her virginity to the elders of the city at the gate [where court is held]. Berean Annotated Bible Then the young woman’s father and mother shall bring the proof of her virginity to the city elders at the gate Christian Standard Bible the young woman’s father and mother will take the evidence of her virginity and bring it to the city elders at the city gate. Holman Christian Standard Bible the young woman’s father and mother will take the evidence of her virginity and bring it to the city elders at the gate. American Standard Version then shall the father of the damsel, and her mother, take and bring forth the tokens of the damsel's virginity unto the elders of the city in the gate; Contemporary English Version If this happens, the bride's father and mother must go to the town gate to show the town leaders the proof that the woman was a virgin. English Revised Version then shall the father of the damsel, and her mother, take and bring forth the tokens of the damsel's virginity unto the elders of the city in the gate: GOD'S WORD® Translation The girl's father and mother must go to the city gate where the leaders of the city are and submit the evidence that their daughter was a virgin. Good News Translation "If this happens, the young woman's parents are to take the blood-stained wedding sheet that proves she was a virgin, and they are to show it in court to the town leaders. International Standard Version Then the father of the young lady, along with her mother, is to bring evidence of the young lady's virginity to the elders at the gate. NET Bible Then the father and mother of the young woman must produce the evidence of virginity for the elders of the city at the gate. New Heart English Bible then shall the father of the young woman, and her mother, take and bring forth the tokens of the young woman's virginity to the elders of the city in the gate; Webster's Bible Translation Then shall the father of the damsel, and her mother, take and bring forth the tokens of the damsel's virginity to the elders of the city in the gate: Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThen the young woman’s father and mother shall bring the proof of her virginity to the city elders at the gate World English Bible then the young lady’s father and mother shall take and bring the tokens of the young lady’s virginity to the elders of the city in the gate. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionthen the father of the girl, and her mother, have taken and brought out the girl’s proofs of virginity to [the] elderly of the city in the gate, Berean Literal Bible the father and the young woman—and mother—shall take and bring out the tokens of virginity of the young woman to the elders of the city at the gate. Young's Literal Translation 'Then hath the father of the damsel -- and her mother -- taken and brought out the tokens of virginity of the damsel unto the elders of the city in the gate, Smith's Literal Translation And the father of the young girl took, and her mother, and brought the signs of virginity of the young girl to the elders of the city to the gate: Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleHer father and mother shall take her, and shall bring with them the tokens of her virginity to the ancients of the city that are in the gate: Catholic Public Domain Version then her father and mother shall take her, and they shall bring with them the signs of her virginity, to the elders of the city who are at the gate. New American Bible the father and mother of the young woman shall take the evidence of her virginity and bring it to the elders at the city gate. New Revised Standard Version The father of the young woman and her mother shall then submit the evidence of the young woman’s virginity to the elders of the city at the gate. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThen shall the father of the damsel, and her mother, take and bring forth the tokens of the damsel's virginity to the elders of the city at the gate; Peshitta Holy Bible Translated The father of the girl and her mother shall take and shall bring out the tokens of the virginity of the girl to the Elders of the city at the gate: OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917then shall the father of the damsel, and her mother, take and bring forth the tokens of the damsel's virginity unto the elders of the city in the gate. Brenton Septuagint Translation then the father and the mother of the damsel shall take and bring out the damsel's tokens of virginity to the elders of the city to the gate. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Marriage Violations…14and he then accuses her of shameful conduct and gives her a bad name, saying, “I married this woman and had relations with her, but I discovered she was not a virgin.” 15Then the young woman’s father and mother shall bring the proof of her virginity to the city elders at the gate 16and say to the elders, “I gave my daughter in marriage to this man, but he has come to hate her.… Cross References Then the young woman’s father and mother Deuteronomy 21:18-21 If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who does not obey his father and mother and does not listen to them when disciplined, / his father and mother are to lay hold of him and bring him to the elders of his city, to the gate of his hometown, / and say to the elders, “This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious; he does not obey us. He is a glutton and a drunkard.” … Genesis 24:50-53 Laban and Bethuel answered, “This is from the LORD; we have no choice in the matter. / Rebekah is here before you. Take her and go, and let her become the wife of your master’s son, just as the LORD has decreed.” / When Abraham’s servant heard their words, he bowed down to the ground before the LORD. … Proverbs 1:8-9 Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction, and do not forsake the teaching of your mother. / For they are a garland of grace on your head and a pendant around your neck. shall bring the proof of her virginity Genesis 24:16 Now the girl was very beautiful, a virgin who had not had relations with any man. She went down to the spring, filled her jar, and came up again. 2 Samuel 13:18 So Amnon’s attendant threw her out and bolted the door behind her. Now Tamar was wearing a robe of many colors, because this is what the king’s virgin daughters wore. Luke 1:27 to a virgin pledged in marriage to a man named Joseph, who was of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. to the city elders Deuteronomy 19:12 the elders of his city must send for him, bring him back, and hand him over to the avenger of blood to die. 1 Kings 21:8 Then Jezebel wrote letters in Ahab’s name, sealed them with his seal, and sent them to the elders and nobles who lived with Naboth in his city. Deuteronomy 25:7-9 But if the man does not want to marry his brother’s widow, she is to go to the elders at the city gate and say, “My husband’s brother refuses to preserve his brother’s name in Israel. He is not willing to perform the duty of a brother-in-law for me.” / Then the elders of his city shall summon him and speak with him. If he persists and says, “I do not want to marry her,” / his brother’s widow shall go up to him in the presence of the elders, remove his sandal, spit in his face, and declare, “This is what is done to the man who will not maintain his brother’s line.” at the gate Ruth 4:1-2 Meanwhile, Boaz went to the gate and sat down there. Soon the kinsman-redeemer of whom he had spoken came along, and Boaz said, “Come over here, my friend, and sit down.” So he went over and sat down. / Then Boaz took ten of the elders of the city and said, “Sit here,” and they did so. Genesis 23:10 Now Ephron was sitting among the sons of Heth. So in the presence of all the Hittites who had come to the gate of his city, Ephron the Hittite answered Abraham, Amos 5:10 There are those who hate the one who reproves in the gate and despise him who speaks with integrity. Matthew 1:18-19 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged in marriage to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. / Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and was unwilling to disgrace her publicly, he resolved to divorce her quietly. John 8:3-11 The scribes and Pharisees, however, brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before them / and said, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. / In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such a woman. So what do You say?” … Genesis 38:24-26 About three months later, Judah was told, “Your daughter-in-law Tamar has prostituted herself, and now she is pregnant.” “Bring her out!” Judah replied. “Let her be burned to death!” / As she was being brought out, Tamar sent a message to her father-in-law: “I am pregnant by the man to whom these items belong.” And she added, “Please examine them. Whose seal and cord and staff are these?” / Judah recognized the items and said, “She is more righteous than I, since I did not give her to my son Shelah.” And he did not have relations with her again. Numbers 5:11-31 Then the LORD said to Moses, / “Speak to the Israelites and tell them that if any man’s wife goes astray and is unfaithful to him / by sleeping with another man, and it is concealed from her husband and her impurity is undetected (since there is no witness against her and she was not caught in the act), … Treasury of Scripture Then shall the father of the damsel, and her mother, take and bring forth the tokens of the damsel's virginity to the elders of the city in the gate: Deuteronomy 22:19 And they shall amerce him in an hundred shekels of silver, and give them unto the father of the damsel, because he hath brought up an evil name upon a virgin of Israel: and she shall be his wife; he may not put her away all his days. Jump to Previous City Damsel Damsel's Elders Evidence Lady Mother Proof Public Responsible Signs Tokens Virgin Virginity YoungJump to Next City Damsel Damsel's Elders Evidence Lady Mother Proof Public Responsible Signs Tokens Virgin Virginity YoungDeuteronomy 22 1. Of humanity toward brothers5. The sex is to be distinguished by apparel 6. The bird is not to be taken with her young ones 8. The house must have battlements 9. Confusion is to be avoided 12. Tassels upon the vesture 13. The punishment of him who slanders his wife 22. of adultery 23. of rape 28. of fornication 30. of incest Then the young woman’s father and mother In ancient Israelite society, the family unit was central to community life. The father and mother were responsible for the upbringing and protection of their children, and they played a crucial role in matters of marriage and family honor. This reflects the patriarchal structure of the society, where the father was the head of the household, but the mother also held significant influence, especially in matters concerning their daughters. shall bring the proof of her virginity to the city elders at the gate Persons / Places / Events 1. The Young WomanCentral to the verse, she is the subject of the accusation regarding her virginity. 2. Father and Mother The parents of the young woman, responsible for presenting evidence of her virginity. 3. City Elders Leaders and judges of the community who preside over legal matters at the city gate. 4. City Gate The location where legal and civic matters are addressed, symbolizing justice and community governance. 5. Proof of Virginity The evidence required to defend the young woman's honor and integrity. Teaching Points Cultural Context and HonorUnderstanding the historical and cultural context of ancient Israel is crucial. The emphasis on virginity was tied to family honor and societal norms. Role of Family The involvement of the young woman's parents underscores the importance of family support and advocacy in times of crisis. Community and Justice The city elders' role highlights the importance of community leaders in upholding justice and truth. Integrity and Evidence The need for evidence in this situation points to the broader biblical principle of truth and integrity in all aspects of life. Modern Application While the specific cultural practices may differ today, the principles of family support, community justice, and personal integrity remain relevant. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Deuteronomy 22:15?2. How does Deuteronomy 22:15 emphasize the importance of evidence in accusations? 3. What role do the "girl's father and mother" play in Deuteronomy 22:15? 4. How can Deuteronomy 22:15 guide us in handling false accusations today? 5. What other Scriptures emphasize the need for evidence in legal matters? 6. How can we apply the principles of Deuteronomy 22:15 in our community? 7. How does Deuteronomy 22:15 align with modern views on gender equality and women's rights? 8. What historical context explains the practice described in Deuteronomy 22:15? 9. How should Christians interpret the cultural practices in Deuteronomy 22:15 today? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Deuteronomy 22? 11. How do the 'tokens of virginity' in Deuteronomy 22 reflect ancient cultural assumptions about female anatomy that conflict with modern medical understanding? 12. What events occurred at the city gate in the Bible? 13. Does a torn hymen indicate lost virginity? 14. What guidance does the Bible offer on elder care? What Does Deuteronomy 22:15 Mean Then• The word “then” looks back to the scenario in Deuteronomy 22:13-14, where a new husband accuses his bride of not being a virgin. • Scripture insists that accusations be handled in sequence—accusation first, evidence next (Deuteronomy 19:15-18; Matthew 18:16). • God’s order prevents hasty punishment and protects the innocent (Proverbs 18:13, 17). the young woman’s father and mother • God assigns parents the first duty of defending their daughter’s honor (Exodus 22:16-17). • Both father and mother appear, showing unified family testimony (Numbers 30:3-5). • Parental protection of purity echoes earlier warnings: “Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching” (Proverbs 1:8). shall bring • The parents actively present their case; truth is not to remain hidden (Ephesians 5:9-11). • Biblical justice is participatory—witnesses, family members, and community leaders all play roles (Deuteronomy 16:18; 24:1). • Bringing evidence reflects faith that righteousness will stand when tested (Psalm 37:5-6). the proof of her virginity • Most likely the blood-stained wedding garment or sheet, retained for such disputes (Deuteronomy 22:17). • Tangible evidence underscores that purity is an objective reality, not merely rumor (2 Corinthians 13:1). • God defends sexual integrity; a false accuser faces severe judgment (Deuteronomy 22:18-19; Revelation 21:8). to the city elders • Elders served as local judges, applying God’s law in real situations (Ruth 4:1-2; Deuteronomy 21:19). • Their presence keeps decisions from devolving into personal vendettas (Deuteronomy 25:1). • Leadership accountability models the New Testament pattern of qualified elders overseeing justice in the church (1 Timothy 5:19-20; Titus 1:5). at the gate • The gate functioned as a public courtroom (Job 29:7; Proverbs 31:23). • Open proceedings deter corruption and affirm community trust (Deuteronomy 16:19-20). • The public setting also restores the woman’s reputation if the accusation proves false (Isaiah 62:2). summary Deuteronomy 22:15 shows God’s protective heart for innocent brides, the family’s duty to guard purity, and the community’s role in ensuring fair justice. The verse affirms that sexual holiness matters, false charges must be proven, and truth should be publicly upheld so that righteousness, not rumor, shapes a person’s standing before God and society. Hebrew Then the young woman’sהַֽנַּעֲרָ֖ה (han·na·‘ă·rāh) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 5291: A girl, maiden father אֲבִ֥י (’ă·ḇî) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1: Father and mother וְאִמָּ֑הּ (wə·’im·māh) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person feminine singular Strong's 517: A mother, ) shall bring וְהוֹצִ֜יאוּ (wə·hō·w·ṣî·’ū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim the proof of her הַֽנַּעֲרָ֛ה (han·na·‘ă·rāh) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 5291: A girl, maiden virginity בְּתוּלֵ֧י (bə·ṯū·lê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 1331: Virginity, the tokens of it to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to the city הָעִ֖יר (hā·‘îr) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 5892: Excitement elders זִקְנֵ֥י (ziq·nê) Adjective - masculine plural construct Strong's 2205: Old at the gate הַשָּֽׁעְרָה׃ (haš·šā·‘ə·rāh) Article | Noun - masculine singular | third person feminine singular Strong's 8179: An opening, door, gate Links Deuteronomy 22:15 NIVDeuteronomy 22:15 NLT Deuteronomy 22:15 ESV Deuteronomy 22:15 NASB Deuteronomy 22:15 KJV Deuteronomy 22:15 BibleApps.com Deuteronomy 22:15 Biblia Paralela Deuteronomy 22:15 Chinese Bible Deuteronomy 22:15 French Bible Deuteronomy 22:15 Catholic Bible OT Law: Deuteronomy 22:15 Then shall the father of the young (Deut. 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