Deuteronomy 22:13–21

—Why is the method of testing chastity different here than in

Numbers 5

?

Problem:

The Numbers text instructed that chastity be tested by drinking bitter water and seeing if the woman’s stomach would swell (see comments on

Numbers 5:13–22

). But,

Deuteronomy 22

provides the blood stained sheet from the wedding night as evidence of virginity (cf. vv.

14–17

).

Solution:

The two situations are different. The Numbers passage is a test for alleged unchastity

after

marriage. And the Deuteronomy text deals with alleged unfaithfulness

before

marriage.