Bible Quote by Yuval Noah Harari
““The Bible decrees that ‘If a man meets a virgin who is not betrothed, and seizes her and lies with her, and they are found, then the man who lay with her shall give to the father of the young woman fifty shekels of silver, and she shall be his wife’ (Deuteronomy 22:28–9). The ancient Hebrews considered this a reasonable arrangement””
About This Quote
Source Book: Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, Yuval Noah Harari, 2014
The passage shows an ancient law treating a woman’s loss of virginity as a transaction, reflecting historical gender and property norms.
In simple terms: Old law treated a woman’s loss as a financial deal.
Key Takeaway
Recognize past injustices to improve today.
Themes
history
gender
law
ethics
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
analytical
historical
When to use this quote
- legal studies
- gender studies
- human rights advocacy
- educational curricula
Key Concepts
patriarchy
property rights
social contract
Questions to Reflect On
- How do ancient laws shape current gender norms?
- What can we learn about consent from history?
A Different Perspective
Modern readers may find the law morally repugnant.
