Dutch Arabist Eildert Mulder refers to a text in Deuteronomy 22:20-21 in relation to a tragic example of honor killing in the occupied Palestinian area. The text in Deuteronomy is part of the laws on sexual relations. The relevant section reads:
“13 Suppose a man marries a woman, but after going in to her, he dislikes her 14 and makes up charges against her, slandering her by saying, “I married this woman; but when I lay with her, I did not find evidence of her virginity.” 15 The father of the young woman and her mother shall then submit the evidence of the young woman’s virginity to the elders of the city at the gate. 16 The father of the young woman shall say to the elders: “I gave my daughter in marriage to this man but he dislikes her; 17 now he has made up charges against her, saying, ‘I did not find evidence of your daughter’s virginity.’ But here is the evidence of my daughter’s virginity.” Then they shall spread out the cloth before the elders of the town. 18 The elders of that town shall take the man and punish him; 19 they shall fine him one hundred shekels of silver (which they shall give to the young woman’s father) because he has slandered a virgin of Israel. She shall remain his wife; he shall not be permitted to divorce her as long as he lives.
20 If, however, this charge is true, that evidence of the young woman’s virginity was not found, 21 then they shall bring the young woman out to the entrance of her father’s house and the men of her town shall stone her to death, because she committed a disgraceful act in Israel by prostituting herself in her father’s house. So you shall purge the evil from your midst.”
Large numbers of conservative Christians take the Bible as “the eternal word of God.” Dutch Old Testament scholar Dr. P.B. Dirksen disagrees but is convinced that the Bible provides time-bound testimonies of faith. In this light he explains Deuteronomy 22:20-21 and refers to Matthew 5:17-21, which begins with: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law and the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill.”
