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20.But if this thing be true. If the punishment should seem to anybody to be somewhat too severe, let him reflect that no kind of fraud is more intolerable. A false sale of a field or a house shall be accounted a crime, as also the utterance of false money; and, therefore, she who abuses the sacred name of marriage for deception, and offers an unchaste body instead of a chaste one, much less deserves to be pardoned. The cause of severity, however, which is expressly mentioned, is much more extensive, i e. , because she hath wrought wickedness, or filthiness in Israel. The translation which some. give, folly, is poor; for although the word. is derived from נבל, nabal, it still means something more atrocious than folly; just as Simeon and Levi, in excuse for their slaughter of the Shechemites, call the defilement of their sister (83) נבלה, nebalah, that is, filthiness in Israel. ( Gen_34:7.) Whence it appears once more how greatly acceptable to God is chastity.
(83) “ that which is contrary to sound reason, wickedness.” — Simon’ Heb. Lex. — W. Taylor, in his Concordance, says, “ rather vice: , villany, or what can be supposed in bad morals to be answerable to sapless, withered flowers, leaves, or fruit. Gen_34:7; Jos_7:15; Jud_19:23.”