Exodus 22:17
New International Version
If her father absolutely refuses to give her to him, he must still pay the bride-price for virgins.

New Living Translation
But if her father refuses to let him marry her, the man must still pay him an amount equal to the bride price of a virgin.

English Standard Version
If her father utterly refuses to give her to him, he shall pay money equal to the bride-price for virgins.

Berean Standard Bible
If her father absolutely refuses to give her to him, the man still must pay an amount comparable to the bridal price of a virgin.

King James Bible
If her father utterly refuse to give her unto him, he shall pay money according to the dowry of virgins.

New King James Version
If her father utterly refuses to give her to him, he shall pay money according to the bride-price of virgins.

New American Standard Bible
If her father absolutely refuses to give her to him, he shall pay money equal to the dowry for virgins.

NASB 1995
“If her father absolutely refuses to give her to him, he shall pay money equal to the dowry for virgins.

NASB 1977
“If her father absolutely refuses to give her to him, he shall pay money equal to the dowry for virgins.

Legacy Standard Bible
If her father absolutely refuses to give her to him, he shall pay money equal to the dowry for virgins.

Amplified Bible
If her father absolutely refuses to give her to him, he must [still] pay money equivalent to the dowry of virgins.

Christian Standard Bible
If her father absolutely refuses to give her to him, he must pay an amount in silver equal to the bridal price for virgins.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
If her father absolutely refuses to give her to him, he must pay an amount in silver equal to the bridal price for virgins.”

American Standard Version
If her father utterly refuse to give her unto him, he shall pay money according to the dowry of virgins.

Contemporary English Version
But if her father refuses to let her marry the man, the bride price must still be paid.

English Revised Version
If her father utterly refuse to give her unto him, he shall pay money according to the dowry of virgins.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
If her father absolutely refuses to give her to him, he must pay an amount of money equal to the bride-price for virgins.

Good News Translation
But if her father refuses to let him marry her, he must pay the father a sum of money equal to the bride price for a virgin.

International Standard Version
If her father absolutely refuses to give her to him, he is to pay an amount equal to the bride price for virgins.

Majority Standard Bible
If her father absolutely refuses to give her to him, the man still must pay an amount comparable to the bridal price of a virgin.

NET Bible
If her father refuses to give her to him, he must pay money for the bride price of virgins.

New Heart English Bible
If her father utterly refuses to give her to him, he shall pay money according to the dowry of virgins.

Webster's Bible Translation
If her father shall utterly refuse to give her to him, he shall pay money according to the dower of virgins.

World English Bible
If her father utterly refuses to give her to him, he shall pay money according to the dowry of virgins.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
if her father utterly refuses to give her to him, he weighs out money according to the dowry of virgins.

Young's Literal Translation
if her father utterly refuse to give her to him, money he doth weigh out according to the dowry of virgins.

Smith's Literal Translation
If her father refusing shall refuse to give her to him, he shall weigh the silver according to the dowry of virgins.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
If the maid's father will not give her to him, he shall give money according to the dowry, which virgins are wont to receive.

Catholic Public Domain Version
If the father of the virgin is not willing to give her, he shall pay money according to manner of a dowry, which virgins are accustomed to receive.

New American Bible
If her father refuses to give her to him, he must still pay him the bride price for virgins.

New Revised Standard Version
But if her father refuses to give her to him, he shall pay an amount equal to the bride-price for virgins.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
If her father refuses to give her to him, he shall pay money according to the dowry of a virgin.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And if her father does not choose to give her to him, he shall weigh out money as a marriage dowry of the virgin.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
If her father utterly refuse to give her unto him, he shall pay money according to the dowry of virgins.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And if her father positively refuse, and will not consent to give her to him for a wife, he shall pay compensation to her father according to the amount of the dowry of virgins.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Laws of Social Responsibility
16If a man seduces a virgin who is not pledged in marriage and sleeps with her, he must pay the full dowry for her to be his wife. 17If her father absolutely refuses to give her to him, the man still must pay an amount comparable to the bridal price of a virgin. 18You must not allow a sorceress to live.…

Cross References
Deuteronomy 18:10-12
Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, practices divination or conjury, interprets omens, practices sorcery, / casts spells, consults a medium or spiritist, or inquires of the dead. / For whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD. And because of these detestable things, the LORD your God is driving out the nations before you.

Leviticus 19:31
You must not turn to mediums or spiritists; do not seek them out, or you will be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God.

1 Samuel 28:3-9
Now by this time Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, his own city. And Saul had removed the mediums and spiritists from the land. / The Philistines gathered together and camped at Shunem, while Saul gathered all Israel and camped at Gilboa. / When Saul saw the Philistine army, he was afraid and trembled violently. ...

2 Kings 21:6
He sacrificed his own son in the fire, practiced sorcery and divination, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did great evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger.

Isaiah 8:19
When men tell you to consult mediums and spiritists who whisper and mutter, shouldn’t a people consult their God instead? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living?

Leviticus 20:6
Whoever turns to mediums or spiritists to prostitute himself with them, I will also set My face against that person and cut him off from his people.

2 Chronicles 33:6
He sacrificed his sons in the fire in the Valley of Ben-hinnom. He practiced sorcery, divination, and witchcraft, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did great evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger.

Micah 5:12
I will cut the sorceries from your hand, and you will have no fortune-tellers.

Galatians 5:19-21
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; / idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, / and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Acts 8:9-11
Prior to that time, a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and astounded the people of Samaria. He claimed to be someone great, / and all the people, from the least to the greatest, heeded his words and said, “This man is the divine power called the Great Power.” / They paid close attention to him because he had astounded them for a long time with his sorcery.

Revelation 21:8
But to the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and sexually immoral and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death.”

1 Corinthians 10:20-21
No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God. And I do not want you to be participants with demons. / You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot partake in the table of the Lord and the table of demons too.

Acts 16:16-18
One day as we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl with a spirit of divination, who earned a large income for her masters by fortune-telling. / This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation!” / She continued this for many days. Eventually Paul grew so aggravated that he turned and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” And the spirit left her at that very moment.

2 Corinthians 6:14-17
Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? / What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? / What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.” ...

Revelation 22:15
But outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.


Treasury of Scripture

If her father utterly refuse to give her to him, he shall pay money according to the dowry of virgins.

utterly

Deuteronomy 7:3,4
Neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son…

pay.

Genesis 23:16
And Abraham hearkened unto Ephron; and Abraham weighed to Ephron the silver, which he had named in the audience of the sons of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, current money with the merchant.

dowry of virgins

Genesis 34:12
Ask me never so much dowry and gift, and I will give according as ye shall say unto me: but give me the damsel to wife.

Deuteronomy 22:29
Then the man that lay with her shall give unto the damsel's father fifty shekels of silver, and she shall be his wife; because he hath humbled her, he may not put her away all his days.

1 Samuel 18:25
And Saul said, Thus shall ye say to David, The king desireth not any dowry, but an hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to be avenged of the king's enemies. But Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines.

Jump to Previous
Absolutely Account Bride-Price Dower Dowry Equal Equivalent Marriage Money Pay Payment Present Refuse Refuses Regular Utterly Virgins Weigh
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Absolutely Account Bride-Price Dower Dowry Equal Equivalent Marriage Money Pay Payment Present Refuse Refuses Regular Utterly Virgins Weigh
Exodus 22
1. Of Theft
5. Of damage
7. Of trespasses
14. Of borrowing
16. Of fornication
18. Of witchcraft
19. Of bestiality
20. Of idolatry
21. Of strangers, widows, and fatherless
25. Of usury
26. Of pledges
28. Of reverence to magistrates
29. Of the first fruits
31. Of torn flesh














If her father absolutely refuses
The phrase "If her father absolutely refuses" underscores the patriarchal structure of ancient Israelite society, where the father held significant authority over his household, including decisions regarding his daughter's marriage. The Hebrew root for "refuses" (מָאֵן, ma'en) conveys a strong, deliberate decision, emphasizing the father's protective role and his right to make choices in the best interest of his daughter. This reflects the cultural and familial norms of the time, where marriage was not just a personal union but a familial alliance.

to give her to him
The phrase "to give her to him" indicates the transactional nature of marriage in ancient times, where a daughter was given in marriage by her father. This reflects the cultural understanding of marriage as a covenantal agreement involving families, not just individuals. The act of "giving" signifies the father's consent and blessing, which were crucial for the legitimacy of the marriage.

he must pay an amount in silver
The requirement that "he must pay an amount in silver" highlights the economic aspects of marriage agreements in ancient Israel. Silver, a common medium of exchange, was used to fulfill obligations and demonstrate the suitor's commitment and ability to provide. This payment served as compensation for the father's loss of his daughter's labor and presence in the household, ensuring that the family was not left disadvantaged.

equal to the bride price for virgins
The "bride price for virgins" refers to the customary payment made to the bride's family, acknowledging her value and purity. In Hebrew culture, virginity was highly esteemed, and the bride price reflected this societal value. The term "bride price" (מֹהַר, mohar) is rooted in the idea of a dowry or gift, symbolizing the suitor's respect and honor for the bride and her family. This practice ensured that the marriage was entered into with seriousness and respect, safeguarding the dignity and future of the woman involved.

(17) He shall pay money according to the dowry of virgins.--It is not stated what the amount was to be in this case; but probably it was more than in the other.

Verse 17. - If her father utterly refuse, etc. There might be such a disparity between the parties, or such an ineligibility of the man for a son-in-law, that the father might refuse to reestablish his daughter's status by the alliance. In that case the offender was to pay such a sum as would form a handsome dowry for the injured female, and enable her to enter with proper dignity the house of whatever man might be selected for her husband.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
If
אִם־ (’im-)
Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

her father
אָבִ֖יהָ (’ā·ḇî·hā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 1: Father

absolutely refuses
מָאֵ֧ן (mā·’ên)
Verb - Piel - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 3985: To refuse

to give her
לְתִתָּ֣הּ (lə·ṯit·tāh)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

to him,
ל֑וֹ (lōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

he still must pay
יִשְׁקֹ֔ל (yiš·qōl)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8254: To suspend, poise

an amount comparable
כֶּ֣סֶף (ke·sep̄)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3701: Silver, money

to the bridal price
כְּמֹ֖הַר (kə·mō·har)
Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4119: Purchase price (of a wife)

of a virgin.
הַבְּתוּלֹֽת׃ (hab·bə·ṯū·lōṯ)
Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 1330: A virgin, sometimes, a bride


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OT Law: Exodus 22:17 If her father utterly refuses to give (Exo. Ex)
Exodus 22:16
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