But unto the damsel thou shalt do nothing; there is in the damsel no sin worthy of death: for as when a man riseth against his neighbour, and slayeth him, even so is this matter:
But you must not do anything to the young woman; she has committed no sin that deserves death. This situation is like when someone attacks their neighbor and murders them—that's what this case is like.
This verse is saying that a woman who is assaulted bears no guilt or blame—she is completely innocent, just like an innocent victim of murder.
📚 Historical Context
This verse is part of ancient Israel's legal code addressing cases of sexual assault. In the surrounding context, Moses was giving laws to protect victims and ensure justice. The comparison to murder emphasizes how seriously God viewed such crimes and makes clear that the victim bears no responsibility for the violence committed against them.
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