But if this thing be true, and the tokens of virginity be not found for the damsel:
But if this accusation is true, and there is no proof that the young woman was a virgin:
This verse begins describing what would happen if a husband's accusation about his wife's virginity before marriage turned out to be true.
📚 Historical Context
In ancient Israel, as outlined in the Book of Deuteronomy, God gave laws to the Israelites to guide their moral and social conduct in the Promised Land, emphasizing community standards for family and purity. This verse is part of regulations dealing with marriage and accusations of premarital unchastity, where the lack of evidence for a bride's virginity could result in serious penalties to maintain social order. These laws reflected the cultural emphasis on sexual purity and the protection of family honor in a society governed by covenant obligations to God.
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