Deuteronomy 22:16

Amharic Tigrinya 2011

ኣቦ እታ ጓል ከአ ነቶም ሰበይቲ ኽትከውን፡ ሀብክዎ ንሱ ኸአ ጸልኣ።

What Does This Mean?

This verse is about a father who tells the elders that he gave his daughter to a man to be his wife, but the man now hates her. The father is speaking to the elders to address the unfair treatment of his daughter.

Explained for Children

Imagine you have a little sister, and you gave her to a friend to play with, but the friend is mean to her. You would go to a grown-up to tell them that it's not right. This verse is about a dad doing the same thing for his daughter.

Historical Background

Deuteronomy was written by Moses around 1200 B.C. to the Israelites as they were about to enter the Promised Land. This verse reflects the social and legal norms of that time, where fathers arranged marriages and elders played a significant role in resolving disputes.

Living It Out Today

In modern times, this verse can remind us of the importance of speaking up when we see someone being treated unfairly. If a friend is mistreating another, it's important to step in and help, just as the father does for his daughter.

Topics

• marriage
• justice
• fatherhood
• community
• discrimination
• rights

Related Verses

• Exodus 21:10
• Ephesians 5:25
• Proverbs 5:18
• Malachi 2:14
• 1 Corinthians 7:33

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the father go to the elders?

The father goes to the elders to seek justice for his daughter who is being mistreated. In ancient Israel, the elders held significant authority in legal and social matters.

What does it mean that the man 'hates' his wife?

In this context, 'hating' likely refers to a deep dissatisfaction or mistreatment of the wife, not necessarily a feeling of hatred, but an action that shows contempt or dislike.

How does this verse reflect the role of women in ancient Israel?

This verse reflects that women were often dependent on men for their status and protection. Their rights were mediated through male figures, such as their fathers or husbands.

What can we learn about community involvement in personal issues from this verse?

This verse shows that in ancient Israel, the community was involved in resolving personal disputes, emphasizing the collective responsibility to ensure justice and fairness for all members.