On the Disparity of Penalties in Deuteronomy 22:13–21*.

Deuteronomy 19:16–21 states that a false accuser should face the same punishment intended for the accused. In Deut 22:20–21, if the groom’s charge is true, his bride’s penalty would be death. However, if his charge is false, in Deut 22:18–19, instead of the death penalty, the groom receives three penalties: 1) flogging, 2) payment, and 3) inability of divorcing her. Thus, most scholars have suggested that there is an apparent discrepancy of penalties between the groom and the bride in Deut 22:13–21. This article argues that the most essential element to satisfy the requirements of Deut 19:16–21 is intentionality, and that Deut 22:13–21 is not about the husband’s false accusation with evil intent to harm his wife; rather, it is a legitimate accusation of the husband concerning the wife’s virginity. Thus, the emphasis shifts from punitive measures to the intention behind the accusation, elucidating the underlying principles governing these laws. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]