17 If her father absolutely refuses to give her to him, he must still pay the bride-price for virgins.
17 If her father utterly refuse to give her unto him, he shall pay
17 If her father utterly refuses to give her to him, he shall pay money equal to the bride-price for virgins.
17 If her father absolutely refuses to give her away, the man must still pay the marriage price for virgins.
17 If her father utterly refuses to give her to him, he shall pay money according to the bride-price of virgins.
17 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.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Exodus 22:17
Chapter Contents
Judicial laws.
The people of God should ever be ready to show mildness and mercy, according to the spirit of these laws. We must answer to God, not only for what we do maliciously, but for what we do heedlessly. Therefore, when we have done harm to our neighbour, we should make restitution, though not compelled by law. Let these scriptures lead our souls to remember, that if the grace of God has indeed appeared to us, then it has taught us, and enabled us so to conduct ourselves by its holy power, that denying ungodliness and wordly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world, Titus 2:12. And the grace of God teaches us, that as the Lord is our portion, there is enough in him to satisfy all the desires of our souls.